1 John 1:9 is for unbelievers not believers. Confession of sin is for unbelievers to do when they come to Jesus for salvation. They must acknowledge their sin when they first believe in Jesus. Otherwise why would anyone come to Christ except upon relaization of their sin. (Maybe if they understood they need his life).
The verses before and after 1 Jn. 1:9 i.e.1 Jn. 1:8 and 1Jn. 1:10 make it clear that he is talking to unbelievers. Three verses later at 1 Jn.2:2 he says that Christ took away the sins of the whole world. If Christ took away the sins of the whole (including all of mine) why would I need to confess anymore. Then John says at 1 Jn. 2:12 that he is writing because our sins have been forgiven, not shallbe but "have" been forgivien. I am saved by Christ's death and His life not by continuing to confess sins that have already been taken away. Col. 2:13, Heb. 10:14-17, Jn. 1:29 make it clear that all our sins were dealt with on the cross. All believers have already acknowledged that they are sinners or they could not be a believer in Christ. Only an unbeliever would say they have never sinned (1 Jn.1:8) therefore, 1 Jn. 1:9 is written to unbelievers and is not for believers.
A believer acknowledges what Christ has already done and thanks and praises him for it. Constant confession is unnecessary because sin has been completely dealt with. The only sin that will send a man to hell is unbelief in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection.
Why keep begging God for something that beleivers in Christ already have. In Jesus we have complete and total forgiveness of sins, Eph. 1:7. He is not counting man's sins against us, 2 Cor. 5:19. He willnever bring up or mention our sins ever again, Heb. 10:17-18. In fact he has made us "perfect forever", Heb. 10:14.
Stop worrying and start resting in what Jesus accomplish for you at the cross. Once you rest in the total finished work of Jesus death then you partake and enjoy His life as he lives in you. This life and forgiveness are only in Jesus so put your faith in Him today. Call on Him thanking Him for taking away your sins forever.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Seven (7) sayings of Jesus on the Cross!
The cross is the most important point in the life of Jesus Christ on this earth along with His burial and resurrection. It is the power of God (1Cor. 1:18) for everyone who believes. When Christ died the new covenant was put into effect and the old one was done away with (Heb. 8:13 and 9:16). At the cross Jesus did away with the sins of the whole world (Jn 1:29, 1Jn.2:2, Heb. 10:14, Col. 2:13) and made provision to forgive every sin of everyone except the sin of unbelief in Jesus. We receive this total forgiveness of all our sins (past, present and future) when we receive Jesus by faith.
At the cross God laid on Jesus the sin of the whole world and made Jesus a curse (2 Cor 5:21, Gal 3:13) so that God could give us the righteousness of Christ. We are forgiven by His death on the cross but we are saved by His resurrected life (Rom. 5:9-10).
On the cross, as he was dying, Jesus made seven statements. These statements show what he was going through on the cross, as he was dying for the sins of the whole world. These statements also have meaning for us in that they bring us more understanding of Jesus and the work of redmeption and they apply to us as we think of them in light of our relationship to God.
1. My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Mt. 27:46 and Mk. 15:34
2. Forgive them Father they know not what they do. Lk. 23:34
3. I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. Lk. 23:43
4. Father into your hands I commit my spirit. Lk. 23:46
5. Dear woman her is your son. Here is your mother. Jn. 19:26-27
6. I am thirsty. Jn. 19:28
7. It is finished. Jn. 19:30
1. "My God, My God why have you forsaken me" is showing that God momentarily turned his back on Jesus when the sin of the whole world was placed on him.
2. God the Father answered this prayer by making Jesus death a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. This means Jesus' death satisfies God's wrath against our sin. God is never angry about sin of those who are in Christ. We are never out of fellowship witht eh father once we are in Christ evenif we sin.
At the cross God laid on Jesus the sin of the whole world and made Jesus a curse (2 Cor 5:21, Gal 3:13) so that God could give us the righteousness of Christ. We are forgiven by His death on the cross but we are saved by His resurrected life (Rom. 5:9-10).
On the cross, as he was dying, Jesus made seven statements. These statements show what he was going through on the cross, as he was dying for the sins of the whole world. These statements also have meaning for us in that they bring us more understanding of Jesus and the work of redmeption and they apply to us as we think of them in light of our relationship to God.
1. My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Mt. 27:46 and Mk. 15:34
2. Forgive them Father they know not what they do. Lk. 23:34
3. I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. Lk. 23:43
4. Father into your hands I commit my spirit. Lk. 23:46
5. Dear woman her is your son. Here is your mother. Jn. 19:26-27
6. I am thirsty. Jn. 19:28
7. It is finished. Jn. 19:30
1. "My God, My God why have you forsaken me" is showing that God momentarily turned his back on Jesus when the sin of the whole world was placed on him.
2. God the Father answered this prayer by making Jesus death a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. This means Jesus' death satisfies God's wrath against our sin. God is never angry about sin of those who are in Christ. We are never out of fellowship witht eh father once we are in Christ evenif we sin.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Never Ending, Ever Present, Unfathomable Love of God!
For those who are in Christ Jesus I believe God's love is the most important issue to meditate on and to fix firmly in our minds. Well, only after we settle the fact that Jesus took away all our sins and will never count them against us. However, this blessed state flows out of His great love he has for us who are in Jesus. In this article I will try to delve deeply into the riches of his glorious love grace. However, this article can never do it justice. It truly is indescribable!
One important point to note is that God's love that I am going to attempt to describe is for His children only. Oh sure God has a certain love for all people. He sustains all people, he protects them and feeds them. Most importantly His love is shown in the fact he sent his Son to die for the sins of the whole world (Jn. 3:16, Jn. 1 and 1 Jn. 2:2).
The amazing thing about God's love is that He loves us with the same love that He has for His Son Jesus. Think on that for a minute. God loves and accepts us in the same way he loves and accepts Jesus!
That is He loves those who are in Christ the same. Why? Because we are Christ's body. The church is the body of Christ. Not only that but he has given us the same righteousness that Christ had. See 2 Cor. 5:21.
"He made him who knew no sin (Christ) to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." God sees us as if we are as righteous as Jesus. Amazing grace!
Look at Hebrews 10: 14 "because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Heb. 10:17 says "Their sins and lawless acts I remember no more." Notice that by Christ' death on the cross we have been made perfect forever and our sins are completely forgotten by God. Forever! We are perfect forever! God will never judge us according to our sins. In God's eyes it is as if we have never sinned. We are perfect in God's sight. That is why we can have complete confidence that God accepts us always and always hears our prayers. By Christ death we are forgiven and by His resurrection we are saved. Rom. 5:10 says we are saved His Life. Forgiven by His death but saved by His life. Christ gives us his life when we believe in Him. We were dead to God but then we are given life when we are born again by faith in Jesus, Eph 2:1.
That is the backstory that brings God's eternal love into the life of sinful people like you and me. If we are in Christ then we are loved and accepted as if we are Christ. Oh the depth of God's amazing love. It is worth thinking deeply about and speaking and even singing about forever. Praise God.
One important point to note is that God's love that I am going to attempt to describe is for His children only. Oh sure God has a certain love for all people. He sustains all people, he protects them and feeds them. Most importantly His love is shown in the fact he sent his Son to die for the sins of the whole world (Jn. 3:16, Jn. 1 and 1 Jn. 2:2).
The amazing thing about God's love is that He loves us with the same love that He has for His Son Jesus. Think on that for a minute. God loves and accepts us in the same way he loves and accepts Jesus!
That is He loves those who are in Christ the same. Why? Because we are Christ's body. The church is the body of Christ. Not only that but he has given us the same righteousness that Christ had. See 2 Cor. 5:21.
"He made him who knew no sin (Christ) to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." God sees us as if we are as righteous as Jesus. Amazing grace!
Look at Hebrews 10: 14 "because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Heb. 10:17 says "Their sins and lawless acts I remember no more." Notice that by Christ' death on the cross we have been made perfect forever and our sins are completely forgotten by God. Forever! We are perfect forever! God will never judge us according to our sins. In God's eyes it is as if we have never sinned. We are perfect in God's sight. That is why we can have complete confidence that God accepts us always and always hears our prayers. By Christ death we are forgiven and by His resurrection we are saved. Rom. 5:10 says we are saved His Life. Forgiven by His death but saved by His life. Christ gives us his life when we believe in Him. We were dead to God but then we are given life when we are born again by faith in Jesus, Eph 2:1.
That is the backstory that brings God's eternal love into the life of sinful people like you and me. If we are in Christ then we are loved and accepted as if we are Christ. Oh the depth of God's amazing love. It is worth thinking deeply about and speaking and even singing about forever. Praise God.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Jesus takes away the sin of the whole World!
Did you know that Jesus Christ has taken away the sins of the whole world by His death on the cross? This means that when we receive Jesus by faith every sin we have ever committed has been forgiven and removed by God. He will not hold us accountable for any of our sins! This is the Good News. Therefore, if we sin we should thank Him for already forgiving our sin. We don't need to keep asking for forgiveness because we already have it. See 1 John 2:2 and John 1:29, also Col. 2:13 and Heb. 10:14-17. In Him we have forgiveness of sins Eph. 1:7.
Every believer in Christ in the world is already totally forgiven for every sin that they have ever committed. However, not all people are saved. We are forgiven by Jesus' death on the cross but we are saved by His resurrection. God is not counting men's sins against them (2 Cor. 5:19). To be saved we need to receive the life of Christ. Rom. 6:23 says that "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." We must receive this eternal life because we are dead to God (see Eph. 2:1 and Col. 2:13-14).
To receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life we must receive Jesus. Forgiveness and Eternal Life are contained only in Jesus. We receive them when we believe in Jesus and we receive Jesus Himself when we believe that He died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead.
Colossions 2:13 is amazing because it reiterates the fact that we are totally forgiven of all our sins when we believe in Christ. Eph 2:1 and Col 2:13 tell us we were dead to God. Death means total separation. We are born separated from God.
If we are dead spiritually what do we still lack? Life! Dead people only need life. Therefore, when we believe in Jesus we are made alive to God forevermore Col. 2:13. If you have never believed in the real Jesus of the Bible, the one who died on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead then you can right now.
Call on the name of Jesus and ask Him to give you eternal life and thank Him for taking away all your sins on the cross. He bore your sins on the cross. Acknowledge what He has done for you and he will come and live inside of you forever.
Every believer in Christ in the world is already totally forgiven for every sin that they have ever committed. However, not all people are saved. We are forgiven by Jesus' death on the cross but we are saved by His resurrection. God is not counting men's sins against them (2 Cor. 5:19). To be saved we need to receive the life of Christ. Rom. 6:23 says that "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." We must receive this eternal life because we are dead to God (see Eph. 2:1 and Col. 2:13-14).
To receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life we must receive Jesus. Forgiveness and Eternal Life are contained only in Jesus. We receive them when we believe in Jesus and we receive Jesus Himself when we believe that He died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead.
Colossions 2:13 is amazing because it reiterates the fact that we are totally forgiven of all our sins when we believe in Christ. Eph 2:1 and Col 2:13 tell us we were dead to God. Death means total separation. We are born separated from God.
If we are dead spiritually what do we still lack? Life! Dead people only need life. Therefore, when we believe in Jesus we are made alive to God forevermore Col. 2:13. If you have never believed in the real Jesus of the Bible, the one who died on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead then you can right now.
Call on the name of Jesus and ask Him to give you eternal life and thank Him for taking away all your sins on the cross. He bore your sins on the cross. Acknowledge what He has done for you and he will come and live inside of you forever.
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Gift of Godly Sorrow for Sin.
Why are we sad when sin? Why are some people not sad at all when they sin and do not seem to be bothered by their own sin? It is because being sorrowful for sin is a gift of God. Only God can give us the gift of repentance from sin. When we truly see our sin and God takes away the veil so we see sin as it really is, we want to be forgiven. God's only provision to forgive us our sins is the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Therefore, God's gift of sorrow for sin and repentance leads us to the cross of Christ.
Other people never realize they are sinners. Therefore, they never come to the cross to acknowledge what Jesus has done. We are forgiven of sins by His death but we are saved to eternal life by believing in Him!
This is all from God and not of ourselves. I f we have any insight into God it comes from Him alone. Therefore, we have no room to boast.
Other people never realize they are sinners. Therefore, they never come to the cross to acknowledge what Jesus has done. We are forgiven of sins by His death but we are saved to eternal life by believing in Him!
This is all from God and not of ourselves. I f we have any insight into God it comes from Him alone. Therefore, we have no room to boast.
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Word of God!
The Bible is the only Word of God that has been written down and preserved for all the world to read and study! The Word of God is living and active and can bring eternal life to those who believe what it says. Heb. 4:12-16. Jesus is the Word. Jn. 1:1. Both the Bible and Jesus came from God. Both are sent out to bear fruit. Both reveal who God is and what He requires from people. Both are eternal and perfect. Both cleanse believers from sin. Both instruct and teach and give doctrine. 2Tim 3:16.
Through believing in Jesus we receive eternal life and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us understanding of God's word. The Holy Spirit uses the word to cleanse us, teach us , feed us and grow us up to be like Christ.
I want to spend the rest of my days getting the Word out to the whole world.
Through believing in Jesus we receive eternal life and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us understanding of God's word. The Holy Spirit uses the word to cleanse us, teach us , feed us and grow us up to be like Christ.
I want to spend the rest of my days getting the Word out to the whole world.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Self Pity - The Silent Killer
I get so much wisdom from reading daily Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost For His Highest". One day was about self pity and how it stops us from being useful to the Lord. I realized I was full of self pity about all the mistakes I had made and things that had gone wrong in my life. Believe me there is a lot.
Then sweet deliverance came and God showed me through His Spirit that the antidote to Self Pity is to say and believe "Thy will be done". In everything let God's will be done. If we arm ourselves with this attitude we are never disappointed. Let His will be done in this and that and everything.
If He wants to kill me - fine. If He wants to prosper me - fine. As long as it is His will. He can give me a better job or a worse one or keep me where I am at. It's all up to Him.
In everything pray that His will be done. Be vigilant and diligent to want this even in small matters. Give up completely what you want. 100% want only that which is His will, don't let any personal desire go outside of that. Even when we don't know His will, pray that His will be done and He will guide us.
Fighting with your spouse? Inside say "your will be done." Life fallling apart? Inside pray His will be done and you will have His peace and comfort and sometimes even His joy.
"His will be done" will save us from self pity and put us on the road to fruitfulness.
Then sweet deliverance came and God showed me through His Spirit that the antidote to Self Pity is to say and believe "Thy will be done". In everything let God's will be done. If we arm ourselves with this attitude we are never disappointed. Let His will be done in this and that and everything.
If He wants to kill me - fine. If He wants to prosper me - fine. As long as it is His will. He can give me a better job or a worse one or keep me where I am at. It's all up to Him.
In everything pray that His will be done. Be vigilant and diligent to want this even in small matters. Give up completely what you want. 100% want only that which is His will, don't let any personal desire go outside of that. Even when we don't know His will, pray that His will be done and He will guide us.
Fighting with your spouse? Inside say "your will be done." Life fallling apart? Inside pray His will be done and you will have His peace and comfort and sometimes even His joy.
"His will be done" will save us from self pity and put us on the road to fruitfulness.
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