Obsession with Confession (1 John 1:9, sin confession)
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S
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.
F
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.
S
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?
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?
S
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.
F
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.
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.
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).
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...
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...
S
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...
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...
(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
)
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
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
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.... (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 )
(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
)