Is Confession of Sin Necessary for Salvation?

[Bible Highlighter]

To the Most High God, absolutely. It is necessary even for the Hebrews to get His attention at all.

But, you don't have to confess to a human, or even angel, in order to attain salvation. Even the Redeemer Himself tells us to pray to the Father.

I said I voted for option 2. This means that I hold to 1 John 2:1, and 1 John 1:9.
Meaning: These verses are referring to Christ as the One we confess sin to in order to have and or maintain forgiveness (salvation).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Notice that - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (verse 9) is IN CONTRAST TO - If we say that we have no sin, (present tense) we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (verse 8) and - If we say that we have not sinned, (past tense) we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (verse 10).

Some people misunderstand verse 9 to mean that we "must confess each and every sin that we commit as we commit them" (keep a specific inventory) as an "additional requirement" to "remain cleansed" and "if we forget a sin we are toast!"

Believers speak the same/acknowledge/agree with God's perspective about their sins and have a settled recognition and acknowledgment that one is a sinner in need of cleansing and forgiveness.

Notice that verse 10 is said to the person who says they never sinned even in the past. So 1 John 1:8 is a denial of sin in the present. This means that if a person sins in the present tense, and they say they have no sin (when they do sin), they deceive themselves. They are saying sin is an illusion because to deny sin in the past tense (when they did sin is to say that sin does not exist for them). The way to deal with sin is to confess of it in order to be forgiven of it (1 John 1:9). This is dealing with salvation because 1 John 1:7 mentions how walking in the light is related to the blood of Jesus cleansing us from all sin.

But notice that John does not say that you will aways fall into sin so just do your best not to sin (even though you will sin). No, no. John does not say that. John says in 1 John 2:1 to "sin not." If I tell you to "drink not." I am not telling you that you cannot help but to drink but make every effort to fight against it. No. I am telling you to stop drinking... period. That is what I mean.

If 1 John 1:8 means what you think it means, then 1 John 2:4 would contradict your belief on 1 John 1:8 because 1 John 2:4 is saying that if we say we know the Lord and we do not keep His commandments, we are liar and the truth is not in us.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Hi, great stuff. If confession is needed explain the prodigal son. His return was all the confession needed. The father rushed to meet the son and there was no chastisement no time for confession just get the robe and prepare the feast my son has returned.
Then we have the little incident that started all this stuff way back in the Garden. The Good Shepherd came seeking His lost sheep. Calling His sheep they heard and as His sheep came to Him. No reading of the riot act not even when Adam accused the Lord the guilty party for having given him Eve. Then the Good Shepherd took what would become known as the Passover lamb slayed it and covered Adam and Eve with the shed blood of The Innocent in place of the guilty. Adam and Eve then passed over from death to life. They would leave Eden knowing all there was to know on the Passover offering. What to sacrifice, a lamb, not luck on Abel's part and bad luck on Cain's. When they were to offer the Lamb and of course where to offer it what would become Mount Zion where years later Abraham would be called to this same mount to offer Isaac only to be given the Lamb.

But the prodigal son confessed his sin to the father right here:

"And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son" (Luke 15:21).

 

[ilovejcsog]

sorry

 

[Vicky gould]

But the prodigal son confessed his sin to the father right here:

"And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son" (Luke 15:21).

Good. I was mistakenly recalling the fathers reaction to his son. Boy I was wrong on that one. Hi biblehigh, how your walk going? I get so refreshed being with His people

 

[ilovejcsog]

sorry

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Isn't confession a part of repentance and both a part of Salvation?

I believe confession of sin is repentance, and I believe good deeds and holy living is the fruits of repentance.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Good. I was mistakenly recalling the fathers reaction to his son. Boy I was wrong on that one. Hi biblehigh, how your walk going? I get so refreshed being with His people

My walk with the Lord is best determined by Him (of course). It is a daily battle to fight the good fight, and to always be strong in Him and His love, peace, and grace. But thank you for the concern. I am well today.

I hope you are doing well in the Lord, too.

Blessings to you in the Lord today.

 

[ilovejcsog]

Is Confession of Sin Necessary for Salvation?

Isn't confession a part of repentance and both a part of Salvation?

 

[Vicky gould]

Isn't confession a part of repentance and both a part of Salvation?

That depends I think as was told to the jailer when he asked what he had to do to be saved. Perfect time for everything men need to do to be saved. That was exactly what was told to him and all who would be saved, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. When we become saved our desire should be to bring out everything in the Light and remove any and all things that stand between Him and our relation as Husband and Bride.

 

[GodLovesCats]

Not all sins are sins unto death. What you described is rebellion against God's laws and you KNOW you are sinning. But there are trespasses unwittingly committed. (Leviticus 5:15). What does that mean do you think?

It does not mean anytbing to me. There is only one definition of trespass, and it is a very specific crime in America, not sinning against God in general.

 

[CharismaticLady]

It does not mean anytbing to me. There is only one definition of trespass, and it is a very specific crime in America, not sinning against God in general.

Very funny!

 

[Vicky gould]

Very funny!

that would have been perfect for the worst joke thread but agreed it was funny. thanks

 

[gideon123]

OP

... Yes, it is absolutely essential.

"Create in me a clean heart, oh God,
And renew a right spirit within me."

David, Psalm 51

 

[His student]

Is Confession of Sin Necessary for Salvation?

Salvation is a many faceted process.

For complete accuracy in your poll - you'll have to define for us exactly what part of salvation you are referring to.

I chose option number 2, assuming that you know that salvation is many faceted.

However, I have long ago realized that a great many in this forum don't understand even the basics of the evangelical faith. Perhaps they have been steeped in Catholicism or Orthodoxy. Or perhaps they have taken a turn toward works salvation along the way - perhaps because they are better at overcoming sin than some people are and they judge them for it and, as a result, they have rewritten the means of salvation in the basic sense to align with their pride of life.

Perhaps some have forgotten, or have never been correctly taught, that salvation is by grace and that God started the process and that He has promised to complete what He started in His children.

 

[GodLovesCats]

That would have been perfect for the worst joke thread but agreed it was funny. Thanks.

What do you mean? I was dead serious about making a very important correction that trespass is not the right word. If people want to talk about sins that are not intentional, they have to use words that make sense.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Salvation is a many faceted process.

For complete accuracy in your poll - you'll have to define for us exactly what part of salvation you are referring to.

I chose option number 2, assuming that you know that salvation is many faceted.

However, I have long ago realized that a great many in this forum don't understand even the basics of the evangelical faith. Perhaps they have been steeped in Catholicism or Orthodoxy. Or perhaps they have taken a turn toward works salvation along the way - perhaps because they are better at overcoming sin than some people are and they judge them for it and, as a result, they have rewritten the means of salvation in the basic sense to align with their pride of life.

Perhaps some have forgotten, or have never been correctly taught, that salvation is by grace and that God started the process and that He has promised to complete what He started in His children.

I agree that salvation is multifaceted. This is why I believe we are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace through faith in Christ (Justification); Yet, I also believe we are also saved by the second work of God done through our lives (Which is Sanctification). This would be God doing the good work through our lives so as to help us to live holy lives. For without holiness no man shall see the Lord. 1 John 1:9 is key to helping many to get there. Some use 1 John 1:9 as a crutch of just paying lip service while a believer does not really change or live holy for the Lord. But God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness, and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).

 

[CharismaticLady]

What do you mean? I was dead serious about making a very important correction that trespass is not the right word. If people want to talk about sins that are not intentional, they have to use words that make sense.

Leviticus 5:15 “If a person commits a trespass, and sins unintentionally in regard to the holy things of the Lord, then he shall bring to the Lord as his trespass offering a ram without blemish from the flocks, with your valuation in shekels of silver according to the shekel of the sanctuary, as a trespass offering.

Cats, Leviticus is a book in the Bible and was written by Moses thousands of years before America was discovered. We are not referring to the American laws about trespassing on private property. Something like unwittingly hurting someone's feelings is a trespass to God. It can be something like an accident.

 

[His student]

I agree that salvation is multifaceted. This is why I believe we are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace through faith in Christ; Yet, I also believe we are also saved by the second work of God done through our lives (Which is Sanctification). This would be God doing the good work through our lives so as to help us to live holy lives. For without holiness no man shall see the Lord. 1 John 1:9 is key to helping many to get there. Some use 1 John 1:9 as a crutch of just paying lip service while a believer does not really change or live holy for the Lord. But God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness, and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).

You won't get any disagreement from me on any of that.

God saves us unto good works. But He doesn't save us through our good works. The difference is as between night and day.

That's why I said that you need to define what you mean by "salvation" in order to get an accurate and meaningful poll.

There are a great many here in the forum who believe (and have even outright said in so many words) that one loses their basic salvation when they sin and has to confess and repent to regain it. If they die while in that intermittent dead period between mortal sin and confession and repentance they go to Hell.

That's nothing less than a false gospel IMO.

 

[Vicky gould]

You won't get any disagreement from me on any of that.

God saves us unto good works. But He doesn't save us through our good works. The difference is as between night and day.

Only there are a great many here in the forum who believe (and have even outright said in so many words) that one loses their basic salvation when they sin and has to confess and repent to regain it. If they die while in that intermittent dead period between mortal sin and confession and repentance they go to Hell.

That's nothing less than a false gospel IMO.

Hi His, right on. Paul wrote of those who teach such things as being anathema. And as he writes in the rest of Galatians that is no good news at all.my aunt was in a church where it was works and she got to the point she spend hours grocery shopping praying over each item. Sad to say it all became a crushing load to carry and she killed herself.

Scripture tells us through Paul the Law held us in a cell unable to work for the Lord but we have not only been saved for good works we have been freed from that cell to do those good works