Confessing Sin!

[shaheem white]

it is mandatory to confess your sins to God, even if you had the most perfect day and you cannot think of a second, when you even began to sin, ask for forgiveness because what you think you know, and what God KNOWS will always be different, so kneel and ask your Father for forgiveness, let never a day go by without prayer, because God help us if we die in sin.

so what your saying is that Jesus dying on the cross for your sin wasn't once and for all? you have to be saying that. what was the point of Jesus dying on the cross if all we were gonna do after we accept him is continue to ask for forgiveness as tho his sacrifice wasn't enough? in the old testament the priest would have to go to God every year and ask for forgiveness because the blood of bulls and goats couldn't take away sin. The blood of bulls and goats were strong enough to cover the people for a whole year!! and your telling me the Blood of Jesus isn't enough to cover you for a day without you having to ask for forgiveness? I'll tell you this Jesus sacrifice didn't cover sin!! maybe it did in your life and that's why you need forgiveness everyday. as for me Jesus' sacrifice "TOOK AWAY SIN!!" and i'm forgiven once and for all! His Grace and His blood is enough. My forgiveness is based on what Jesus did over 2000 years ago and not based on my day to day confession! I'm saved by grace not by my day to day confession!!! But believe what you want.. God Bless

 

[shaheem white]

Here's a small bit of commentary on the Epistle that may be helpful by "setting the stage" for 1 John in general.

In light of the circumstances of the epistle, the overall theme of 1 John is “a recall to the fundamentals of the faith” or “back to the basics of Christianity.” The apostle deals with certainties, not opinions or conjecture. He expresses the absolute character of Christianity in very simple terms; terms that are clear and unmistakable, leaving no doubt as to the fundamental nature of those truths. A warm, conversational, and above all, loving tone occurs, like a father having a tender, intimate conversation with his children.

First John also is pastoral, written from the heart of a pastor who has concern for his people. As a shepherd, John communicated to his flock some very basic, but vitally essential, principles reassuring them regarding the basics of the faith. He desired them to have joy regarding the certainty of their faith rather than being upset by the false teaching and current defections of some (1:4).

The book’s viewpoint, however, is not only pastoral but also polemical; not only positive but also negative. John’s refutes the defectors from sound doctrine, exhibiting no tolerance for those who pervert divine truth. He labels those departing from the truth as “false prophets” (4:1), “those who try to deceive” (2:26; 3:7), and “antichrists” (2:18). He pointedly identifies the ultimate source of all such defection from sound doctrine as demonic (4:1–7).

The constant repetition of 3 sub-themes reinforces the overall theme regarding faithfulness to the basics of Christianity: happiness (1:4), holiness (2:1), and security (5:13). By faithfulness to the basics, his readers will experience these 3 results continually in their lives. These 3 factors also reveal the key cycle of true spirituality in 1 John: a proper belief in Jesus produces obedience to His commands; obedience issues in love for God and fellow believers (e.g., 3:23, 24). When these 3 (sound faith, obedience, love) operate in concert together, they result in happiness, holiness and assurance. They constitute the evidence, the litmus test, of a true Christian. ~MacArthur, J., Jr. 1 John, commentary.​

Yours and His,
David

thank you for your copy and paste. I don't know where you got that from but it really has nothing to do with my overall point. As a believer our sins are already forgiven and with that said we don't have to ask God to forgive them anymore!! If you don't believe that "Fine" It's ok... God Bless

 

[ConvictionofGod]

so what your saying is that Jesus dying on the cross for your sin wasn't once and for all? you have to be saying that. what was the point of Jesus dying on the cross if all we were gonna do after we accept him is continue to ask for forgiveness as tho his sacrifice wasn't enough? in the old testament the priest would have to go to God every year and ask for forgiveness because the blood of bulls and goats couldn't take away sin. The blood of bulls and goats were strong enough to cover the people for a whole year!! and your telling me the Blood of Jesus isn't enough to cover you for a day without you having to ask for forgiveness? I'll tell you this Jesus sacrifice didn't cover sin!! maybe it did in your life and that's why you need forgiveness everyday. as for me Jesus' sacrifice "TOOK AWAY SIN!!" and i'm forgiven once and for all! His Grace and His blood is enough. My forgiveness is based on what Jesus did over 2000 years ago and not based on my day to day confession! I'm saved by grace not by my day to day confession!!! But believe what you want.. God Bless

it is not. you cannot accept jesus as your lord and savior and have that be the end of it all. you will continue to sin after that, and those sins must be forgiven by God, the only way is to ask for the forgiveness as you continue to sin, Accepting Jesus in your heart doesn't "let off the hook" for future sinning.

 

[shaheem white]

I believe it's clear from the 1st paragraph that John is writing to believers, though.

He isn't writing to convince non-believers to believe in Jesus. He's writing to believers about how to walk out their faith and remain in Jesus. Thats the theme of the whole letter - how you, as a believer, can remain in Jesus and have fellowship with other believers.

"that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full."

What did John see and hear that he is now declaring to them? John is passing on what Jesus spoke in the upper room in John 14-17. He even uses the exact same phrases Jesus does. Compare the two. 1 John is literally a mini sermon on John 14-17. Check out John 15:9-11!

We can agree to disagree. It's perfectly fine. My overall point is as a believer we are already forgiven and we do not need to keep asking God to do something He already did! If you wanna keep asking for forgiveness "Fine". God Bless

 

[ConvictionofGod]

We can agree to disagree. It's perfectly fine. My overall point is as a believer we are already forgiven and we do not need to keep asking God to do something He already did! If you wanna keep asking for forgiveness "Fine". God Bless

Let me get this straight, you are saying, because Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and you acknowledge that therefore simultaneously becoming Christian and acquitting yourself of the responsibility of asking for forgiveness for future sins for the duration of your life?

i fear you are seriously mislead

 

[shaheem white]

it is not. you cannot accept jesus as your lord and savior and have that be the end of it all. you will continue to sin after that, and those sins must be forgiven by God, the only way is to ask for the forgiveness as you continue to sin, Accepting Jesus in your heart doesn't "let off the hook" for future sinning.

You need to understand what Grace is. As a Born again believer you are covered in the blood of Christ. You don't wake up and your no longer covered anymore! as a believer we mature and grow with the power of the Holy Spirit! and As a born again believer we will not and cannot live in sin or practice it!!! we do sin but the Blood of Jesus justifies us!! there is a difference between one who lives in sin and practices sin vs a believer who may fall short! we have an advocate in Jesus Christ!!! Your under the Law my brother and Jesus is calling you to Grace. We can agree to disagree that's perfectly fine. I still Love you with the love of Christ.. God Bless

 

[shaheem white]

Let me get this straight, you are saying, because Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and you acknowledge that therefore simultaneously becoming Christian and acquitting yourself of the responsibility of asking for forgiveness for future sins for the duration of your life?

i fear you are seriously mislead

what does Justified mean? when Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, were you born yet? i don't believe you were. So with that said would you say He died for the sins of the future as well? We are under Grace not the Law!!!!!!!! So your telling me that you have to put Jesus on the cross and over him as a sacrifice every night? your mislead!!! because the Bible say's he died "ONCE FOR ALL".. I don't do the back and forth my brother, we see this differently and it's ok, agree to disagree

 

[EnergonWaffles]

You need to understand what Grace is. As a Born again believer you are covered in the blood of Christ. You don't wake up and your no longer covered anymore! as a believer we mature and grow with the power of the Holy Spirit! and As a born again believer we will not and cannot live in sin or practice it!!! we do sin but the Blood of Jesus justifies us!! there is a difference between one who lives in sin and practices sin vs a believer who may fall short! we have an advocate in Jesus Christ!!! Your under the Law my brother and Jesus is calling you to Grace. We can agree to disagree that's perfectly fine. I still Love you with the love of Christ.. God Bless

having kept up with this thread, shaheem, I think there's some confusion because people are talking about different types of forgiveness.

There is the forgiveness we receive from Jesus dying on the cross. That's called positional forgiveness. Reading your posts, that seems to be what you're speaking of.
The other type, which is what others are referring to, is called relational forgiveness.

Here's a good explanation.
Why do we need to confess our sins if they have already been forgiven (1 John 1:9)?

 

[ConvictionofGod]

what does Justified mean? when Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, were you born yet? i don't believe you were. So with that said would you say He died for the sins of the future as well? We are under Grace not the Law!!!!!!!! So your telling me that you have to put Jesus on the cross and over him as a sacrifice every night? your mislead!!! because the Bible say's he died "ONCE FOR ALL".. I don't do the back and forth my brother, we see this differently and it's ok, agree to disagree

a well placed puzzle piece is the perfect infiltration, and not even the night will notice a shift in shadows

 

[1stcenturylady]

Greetings my brothers and sisters in Christ. I come to you in Love and in the power of the Holy Spirit. There is a issue in the church today that I need to address and i'm asking for your views (backed by scripture of course). After you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you like 2 Cor 5:17 states "Become new" do you still confess your sins to God seeking forgiveness? I know the truth, I just wanna see what others have to say on the topic....

Acts 2:38-39 “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

(This is to become a Christian, and receive the Holy Spirit."

Romans 6:2 "How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?"

Romans 8:8-9 "8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

(If you have no power over sin and you have to keep confessing sins you keep committing, you haven't made Jesus the Lord of your life. You are still walking in darkness. 1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." John 1:4 "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." Jesus didn't come to just die for your sins, but to finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness Daniel 9:24)

1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

1 John 3:9 "Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

 

[EnergonWaffles]

We cannot stay in unrepentant sin, but we absolutely can sin.

Apostle Peter sinned with hypocrisy, and he's a pillar of the church. It's recorded in Galatians 2.

 

[unfinishedclay]

I read some posts within the thread but not all. So, has the question been asked on what happens if a born again Christian does not forgive our trespassers? What if someone as a believer is at a point where he/she is not forgiving a trespasser? Are we to assume the believer is still forgiven or take Jesus' Word for it that we will not be forgiven if we don't forgive? (Matthew 6)

And who were those that belonged to the 7 churches in Asia in Revelation? Unbelievers? Were 5 of those churches urged to repent? Revelation 2 and Revelation 3

 

[unfinishedclay]

We cannot stay in unrepentant sin, but we absolutely can sin.

Apostle Peter sinned with hypocrisy, and he's a pillar of the church. It's recorded in Galatians 2.

Yes, amen. Peter surely did sin with hypocrisy. I think Paul point out all of their sin as "dissimulation". And because Peter had a relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, he could say to his Heavenly Father (as we should say to our earthly fathers), "Father, I'm so sorry for my hypocrisy. Please forgive me of that and purge me of that tendency." How much more should this be communicated to our Heavenly Father? Why? Because we have that close relationship with our Father that would enable us to do that. And it makes us no less of being His children if we go to Him with a repentant heart seeking forgiveness for a trespass.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Greetings my brothers and sisters in Christ. I come to you in Love and in the power of the Holy Spirit. There is a issue in the church today that I need to address and i'm asking for your views (backed by scripture of course). After you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you like 2 Cor 5:17 states "Become new" do you still confess your sins to God seeking forgiveness? I know the truth, I just wanna see what others have to say on the topic....

It's impossible to confess our sins to God except by the Holy Spirit, since without the Holy Spirit alive in us there is no faith. It is because of the grace and mercy of God which is in Christ, for us, and through the faith given to us that we can approach the throne of grace and confess our sins freely to God in the confidence that we are forgiven of all our sins on Christ's account. Which is why St. John tells us that if we confess our sins God is faithful to forgive us.

The non-believing don't confess their sins to God, since by definition they do not have faith in Christ and the forgiveness which is in Him.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[shaheem white]

having kept up with this thread, shaheem, I think there's some confusion because people are talking about different types of forgiveness.

There is the forgiveness we receive from Jesus dying on the cross. That's called positional forgiveness. Reading your posts, that seems to be what you're speaking of.
The other type, which is what others are referring to, is called relational forgiveness.

Here's a good explanation.
Why do we need to confess our sins if they have already been forgiven (1 John 1:9)?

All i'm saying is that as a believer our forgiveness is based on our accepting Jesus and receiving Grace not on our day to confession. We are saved by Grace and not by our day to day confession.... now do I confess at night to God my sin "Yes" but not seeking forgiveness rather I confess ask him to help me in those areas then thank Him for the sacrifice and blood of Jesus which was shed for me and which sets me right with my God

 

[shaheem white]

It's impossible to confess our sins to God except by the Holy Spirit, since without the Holy Spirit alive in us there is no faith. It is because of the grace and mercy of God which is in Christ, for us, and through the faith given to us that we can approach the throne of grace and confess our sins freely to God in the confidence that we are forgiven of all our sins on Christ's account. Which is why St. John tells us that if we confess our sins God is faithful to forgive us.

The non-believing don't confess their sins to God, since by definition they do not have faith in Christ and the forgiveness which is in Him.

-CryptoLutheran

the non believing don't confess their sins to God? So you were always a believer? I wasn't! I was a sinner!! and I was ministered to by some faithful believers and God used them men to touch my Heart and as a non believer I confessed my sins and was converted! I am a new creation in Christ and I am no longer a sinner!!!!!

 

[EnergonWaffles]

All i'm saying is that as a believer our forgiveness is based on our accepting Jesus and receiving Grace not on our day to confession. We are saved by Grace and not by our day to day confession.... now do I confess at night to God my sin "Yes" but not seeking forgiveness rather I confess ask him to help me in those areas then thank Him for the sacrifice and blood of Jesus which was shed for me and which sets me right with my God

yes many debating in this thread are actually in agreement with each other! The confusion is coming from positional vs relational forgiveness. When we're talking about relational forgiveness, we don't mean being saved. Jesus completed that work on the cross. What I bolded in your response is called "relational forgiveness."

What Jesus did on the cross is called "positional forgiveness." It's a one time done deal and is finished.

 

[PeaceB]

I already received forgiveness the moment I accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior...

Did you explain how this view does not render this part of the Lord's Prayer obsolete:

Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

Why would Jesus instruct you to pray for forgiveness of sins if they have already been forgiven? Doesn't make sense to me, but perhaps I missed something.

 

[ViaCrucis]

All i'm saying is that as a believer our forgiveness is based on our accepting Jesus and receiving Grace not on our day to confession.

As a believer our forgiveness is based on what God has done for us in the sending of His Son who died and rose again; that is objectively true because of what God has done already, this is appropriated to us through faith which is given to us by the Holy Spirit in the Means of Grace. As St. Paul says, that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The Gospel is efficacious to accomplish what it promises, apart from ourselves.

We don't confess our sins to merit God's forgiveness, we confess our sins because in faith we trust in what Christ has done for us, and that it is in Him alone that we are forgiven, justified, and saved.

We are saved by Grace and not by our day to day confession.... now do I confess at night to God my sin "Yes" but not seeking forgiveness rather I confess ask him to help me in those areas then thank Him for the sacrifice and blood of Jesus which was shed for me and which sets me right with my God

Because we continue, while being alive and present in this body of death with sin in our members, to be sinners the struggle against the flesh continues throughout this life--that is why we are invited to come before God and confess, to receive the forgiveness which is ours in Christ, freely, by the grace of God. The idea that I "do" a thing once and then that's it isn't Christian teaching. For one, salvation isn't about us doing anything, but what God has done once and for all and what He gives us through the Means He has established; and for another salvation is about our being in Christ, redeemed and rescued by Him and the continuing working of God upon us even until the Final Day, at the resurrection of the dead. What God has done for the whole world on Mt. Calvary, is what God is doing through the Means of Grace, and it is He who keeps us and holds onto us even through death and judgment until we are raised up to that everlasting life in the age to come.

I don't confess my sins to receive a "new" forgiveness of sins. I confess my sins to receive the same forgiveness which is freely given and freely found in the death and resurrection of Christ our God. It is the same forgiveness, the same hope, the same Gospel, the same eternal life, the same salvation.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ConvictionofGod]

Did you explain how this view does not render this part of the Lord's Prayer obsolete:

Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

Why would Jesus instruct you to pray for forgiveness of sins if they have already been forgiven? Doesn't make sense to me, but perhaps I missed something.

it is because you must continue to ask for forgiveness, regardless if you are a saved christian or not. for example, my friends growing up were hispanic catholics, in their home it would appear that things were very religious and orderly, but out and about on the street, they were wild and obnoxious, on a daily, for years. i base my findings off of that, being saved isn't enough, when you slip up, you must repent and repent with your heart, not merely just with words.