Obsession with Confession (1 John 1:9, sin confession)

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FreeNChrist

Guest
ok , I admit I tend to do this myself, sometimes, but what is the alterative to this? I know there are what they call 'alteratives to addiction' 'celebrate recovery' or just the regular old 12 steps, but what is the biblical model for overcoming repeat sins if it's not asking God for forgiveness and help with repenting, then getting up and trying to do better, with victories, maybe minor at first, but hopefully more in time. Is this the bootstrap theology you refer to? I do admit, it can get frustrating at times, but I dont understand why some ppl get almost like a miracle deliverance, and are really set free almost instantaneously, and others struggle with wanting that deliverance but never seem to be able to grasp or receive it. Who is at fault? Is it just a sovereign choice by God to free some and not others? That seems so arbitrary...or is it the sinners fault for just not 'resisting the enemy and he'll flee'? What's left but to confess and try to do better? At least there are ppl who go to mtgs and things to TRY to better their lives, there are plenty who just dont care, I guess, but what of those who do but just cant seem to overcome?

Start with the reality that in Christ you have forgiveness. That you are totally loved and accepted by God. Not because of anything you do or not do, but because of what Jesus has done. Knowing that will give you the confidence to approach Him so that He can help you in those times of need.


 
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sydlit

Guest
Start with the reality that in Christ you have forgiveness. That you are totally loved and accepted by God. Not because of anything you do or not do, but because of what Jesus has done. Knowing that will give you the confidence to approach Him so that He can help you in those times of need.


Well, thats basically what I referred to in my last post...I should have given the first part...'draw near to God and he'll draw near to you, resist the enemy and he'll flee from you' , right? (loosely translated, sorry). But isn't that the bootstrap theology? That is true, of course, its Gods word, but what I'm referring to is ppl who are saved, but theres so many christian counselling and programs..... I keep hearing about 'Everymans battle' from newlife, and the above mentioned celebrate recovery, 12 steps, etc. Are all these simply missing the point, and they just need to focus on the Lord, and there addictions (sins) will be gone? ( Lol, I can almost hear the answer coming...well, YEAH! DUH!) I know, it just seems that with so many struggling, there must be something more to it ? Uh-oh, just found out I gotta run...hope to pick this up again soon. Thanks for your graciousness.....sincerely.
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
Well, thats basically what I referred to in my last post...I should have given the first part...'draw near to God and he'll draw near to you, resist the enemy and he'll flee from you' , right? (loosely translated, sorry). But isn't that the bootstrap theology? That is true, of course, its Gods word, but what I'm referring to is ppl who are saved, but theres so many christian counselling and programs..... I keep hearing about 'Everymans battle' from newlife, and the above mentioned celebrate recovery, 12 steps, etc. Are all these simply missing the point, and they just need to focus on the Lord, and there addictions (sins) will be gone? ( Lol, I can almost hear the answer coming...well, YEAH! DUH!) I know, it just seems that with so many struggling, there must be something more to it ? Uh-oh, just found out I gotta run...hope to pick this up again soon. Thanks for your graciousness.....sincerely.
Well no, that's not what you said in your last post, and your characterization of my post reflected little of what I had said. I said start with believing you have forgiveness in Christ. Obviously if you are still asking God for forgiveness, as you state you are, you don't think you actually have it. Resolve that and it will lead to the rest.
 
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sydlit

Guest
Originally Posted by FreeNChrist Start with the reality that in Christ you have forgiveness. That you are totally loved and accepted by God. Not because of anything you do or not do, but because of what Jesus has done. Knowing that will give you the confidence to approach Him so that He can help you in those times of need.
Well no, that's not what you said in your last post, and your characterization of my post reflected little of what I had said. I said start with believing you have forgiveness in Christ. Obviously if you are still asking God for forgiveness, as you state you are, you don't think you actually have it. Resolve that and it will lead to the rest.
Sure...the confidence to approach Him, that He may help in time if need...THAT'S what I was referring to with 'draw near to God, and He will draw near to you'. But I wasn't referring to receiving salvation, as when you say Start with believing you have forgiveness in Christ...But let's say hypothetically...JOE has salvation. He believes Jesus died for his sins and rose from the grave, he believes he has forgiveness of sin and gives God thanks. But Joe struggles with a habitual sin that he just can't seem to get totally free from yet. Take your pick...drugs, booze, porn, video games, whatever, some habitual excess indulgence.....Are you saying it's wrong for Joe to ask God forgiveness and help to change/stop when he once again indulges? That asking forgiveness is an indication that he doesn't have it...that he's not saved?
You stated 'Obviously if you're asking forgiveness, ... you don't think you have it'. What should Joe do, then, the next time he indulges or repeats that habitual sin?
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
Originally Posted by FreeNChrist Start with the reality that in Christ you have forgiveness. That you are totally loved and accepted by God. Not because of anything you do or not do, but because of what Jesus has done. Knowing that will give you the confidence to approach Him so that He can help you in those times of need.
Sure...the confidence to approach Him, that He may help in time if need...THAT'S what I was referring to with 'draw near to God, and He will draw near to you'. But I wasn't referring to receiving salvation, as when you say Start with believing you have forgiveness in Christ...But let's say hypothetically...JOE has salvation. He believes Jesus died for his sins and rose from the grave, he believes he has forgiveness of sin and gives God thanks. But Joe struggles with a habitual sin that he just can't seem to get totally free from yet. Take your pick...drugs, booze, porn, video games, whatever, some habitual excess indulgence.....Are you saying it's wrong for Joe to ask God forgiveness and help to change/stop when he once again indulges? That asking forgiveness is an indication that he doesn't have it...that he's not saved?
You stated 'Obviously if you're asking forgiveness, ... you don't think you have it'. What should Joe do, then, the next time he indulges or repeats that habitual sin?
Why would he ask for what he already has??
 
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sydlit

Guest
Why would he ask for what he already has??
Maybe im making the mistake of equating apologizing for doing or saying something wrong, (like, im sorry I messed up etc.), with asking for forgiveness. To which I'll apologize now and say I'm sorry for being a distraction on this thread, and it's been a good one, and I appreciate you taking the time to try to help me. I'll keep checking in to read, but will try to avoid asking dumb questions. Thx again.
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
Maybe im making the mistake of equating apologizing for doing or saying something wrong, (like, im sorry I messed up etc.), with asking for forgiveness. To which I'll apologize now and say I'm sorry for being a distraction on this thread, and it's been a good one, and I appreciate you taking the time to try to help me. I'll keep checking in to read, but will try to avoid asking dumb questions. Thx again.
No, No, those are all very good questions. Sometimes we just need to have the contradictions in our thinking pointed out to us. Confession and asking for forgiveness are different things. True confession is saying the same thing as God, agreeing with God about whatever it is we are bringing to Him.

As forgiven saints we don't confess to get forgiveness, we already have forgiveness. We are agreeing with God that we were not trusting Him in those times. However, we must go one step further and agree with God about what He has done with that sin. That He has put our sin behind His back never to be remembered again. We then approach Him to see why we weren't trusting Him, trusting that He will instruct us properly....because He will. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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The gospel of Gr8grace, which is found nowhere in Sacred Scripture.
To the contrary. Acts 20:24 - But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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The gospel of Gr8grace, which is found nowhere in Sacred Scripture.
The gospel is a message of grace to be received through faith. The gospel is not a set of rituals to perform, a code of laws to be obeyed or a check list of good works to accomplish as a prerequisite for salvation. The gospel simply sets forth Christ crucified, buried and risen as the Savior of all who BELIEVE (trust) in His finished work of redemption as the all sufficient means of their salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 1:16; 3:24).
 
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sydlit

Guest
The gospel is a message of grace to be received through faith. The gospel is not a set of rituals to perform, a code of laws to be obeyed or a check list of good works to accomplish as a prerequisite for salvation. The gospel simply sets forth Christ crucified, buried and risen as the Savior of all who BELIEVE (trust) in His finished work of redemption as the all sufficient means of their salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 1:16; 3:24).
God bless you, dan, that's the key. Religion says DO! The gospel of the grace of God says DONE!
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
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Just a bump, this could still be of benefit for others to read. :) It allows people to, in some way, grasp their total forgiveness in Christ. The strongest book I find in the bible to reveal this is in Hebrews and learning about Jesus as High Priest.
 
Nov 22, 2015
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What I find funny about "confessing sins" is that we usually don't really confess the real sin.

Example:..I go to the store and steal food ( I supposedly confess that I stole food to God and He forgives me..)

The "sin" of stealing the food is just the "fruit" of my real sin....which is....I do not trust in my loving heavenly Father.

So, It is impossible to really confess our sins....if we had to rely on that procedure.....we'd be goners and hell-bound for sure!!

just thinkin' out loud here...:rolleyes:
 
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sydlit

Guest
What I find funny about "confessing sins" is that we usually don't really confess the real sin.

Example:..I go to the store and steal food ( I supposedly confess that I stole food to God and He forgives me..)

The "sin" of stealing the food is just the "fruit" of my real sin....which is....I do not trust in my loving heavenly Father.

So, It is impossible to really confess our sins....if we had to rely on that procedure.....we'd be goners and hell-bound for sure!!

just thinkin' out loud here...:rolleyes:
3 things. First, hi grace seven hundred seventy-seven times seventy, I don't remember if we formally met. We may have, I just don't remember. Been a bit 'off' lately....:p (lately?) Any way, been reading alot of your posts lately and enjoying. I must apologize, tho, I can't help thinking you're female, even tho I can plainly see the blue name. When I think of the grace of God, I think of Our Father or Jesus, but when I see it as a name, my mind thinks 'female' . I'm sorry, I guess I'm more chauvanistic than I thought?
Anyway, this was an interesting post, and I want to contemplate it more, so I won't comment on it, but I wanted to thank you for this 'thinking out loud' thought. Also, ...... suddenly 2 'likes' popped in almost at the same time, and when I looked, I saw they were from a post from october, and I went ,'hunh?',
and then I saw Ben bumped the thread, (am I lernin' the lingo rite?), so thank you grace and magenta for the 'likes' and Ben for this thread, it's a good one, hope more folks tune in. Wish also I could add in, but busy now.
Will just say for now ...... Hebrews ...... YES! Great book, grows deeper and wider and higher with every read, (as all the bible should, I know), but thanks for the reminder of the beauty of Hebrews, it speaks volumes!
Merry Christmas to this threads ppl!
(Was that 3 things? I lost track after 1 :p )
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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It is impossible to really confess our sins....
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

You have very odd views compared to Scripture.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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I can't help thinking you're female, even tho I can plainly see the blue name. When I think of the grace of God, I think of Our Father or Jesus, but when I see it as a name, my mind thinks 'female' . I'm sorry, I guess I'm more chauvanistic than I thought?
I never noticed the blue... :eek:
 
Nov 22, 2015
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Yes...a lot of our religious upbringing and traditions do conflict with some grace teaching....and it is suppose to. People see something written but they "hear" something else..

When I first heard that 1 John 1:9 teaching..I said that's a heresy...LOL...my mind rebelled against it....but I asked the Lord to show me...and it all came together so that now wh..en I read 1 John chapter....I find it impossible that I couldn't see it before... revelation is like that.

I ddin't notice the blue either..lol


If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

You have very odd views compared to Scripture.
 
Nov 22, 2015
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Merry Christmas to you as well my friend! The Lord is good!...we all have many things for the Lord to teach us..but this walk of faith totally in Him is awesome!!..see you in the forums! Be blessed!


3 things. First, hi grace seven hundred seventy-seven times seventy, I don't remember if we formally met. We may have, I just don't remember. Been a bit 'off' lately....:p (lately?) Any way, been reading alot of your posts lately and enjoying. I must apologize, tho, I can't help thinking you're female, even tho I can plainly see the blue name. When I think of the grace of God, I think of Our Father or Jesus, but when I see it as a name, my mind thinks 'female' . I'm sorry, I guess I'm more chauvanistic than I thought?
Anyway, this was an interesting post, and I want to contemplate it more, so I won't comment on it, but I wanted to thank you for this 'thinking out loud' thought. Also, ...... suddenly 2 'likes' popped in almost at the same time, and when I looked, I saw they were from a post from october, and I went ,'hunh?',
and then I saw Ben bumped the thread, (am I lernin' the lingo rite?), so thank you grace and magenta for the 'likes' and Ben for this thread, it's a good one, hope more folks tune in. Wish also I could add in, but busy now.
Will just say for now ...... Hebrews ...... YES! Great book, grows deeper and wider and higher with every read, (as all the bible should, I know), but thanks for the reminder of the beauty of Hebrews, it speaks volumes!
Merry Christmas to this threads ppl!
(Was that 3 things? I lost track after 1 :p )
 
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ladylynn

Guest
Hey Ben., great idea getting this back up. Will for sure be visiting it!!! Blessings brother!

 
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AboundingGrace

Guest
Nothing but word games of a sophist
"There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus sets us free from the law of sin and death." "To be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8)
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,782
29,163
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Yes...a lot of our religious upbringing and traditions do conflict with some grace teaching....and it is suppose to. People see something written but they "hear" something else..
Why is it supposed to? Do you have Scripture for this?