Confessing Sin!

[unfinishedclay]

I think you should only stop asking when you feel you have received what you asked for. Continue to ask if you feel you are not blessed.

In a way I agree with you. But in life, we're always setting out on different endeavors. And before we set out to do something, are we not to ask the Lord to bless us?

Like this...

I already know that in God's Word, He tells us that the Holy Spirit will bring back to our remembrance all that He's taught us in the gospels. So, for instance, when my church outreach group goes out to Muslim communities to spread the gospel in street witnessing (which is very typical of them and we're scheduled next weekend) am I not supposed to ask the Lord, "Lord, please give us the words to say in spreading the gospel of salvation to them."?

There are so many examples. To say "you're not supposed to ask your Father Whom you have a personal relationship with and ask of Him anything" is like scripting us as His children.
The very Word of God frees us from sin and frees us to live in Christ. So, how is it that we are bound from expressing anything to Him - even if we express sorrow and ask Him for the very thing we can ask from Him when He said in example prayer: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

I guess my question is, if we are bound from asking him of what He's already given us with forgiveness, can't the same thing be said about so many other things? Don't ask for that desired career job because Matthew 6:33 says "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be added to you." Right?

 

[shaheem white]

I think you should only stop asking when you feel you have received what you asked for. Continue to ask if you feel you are not blessed.

YOu said the magic word "FEEL" that's why you keep asking right? we guess what? I don't deal with "FEEL" I deal with "KNOW". you feel so you keep asking, I know so I don't have to keep asking. Gods word will never return to him void! regardless of how you feel He is still God! If Gods word says it's mine and i'm walking in line with Him then I don't have to continue asking Him anything, what I do Is i'll continue to thank HIm for what I know he is about to bless me with!!!

 

[shaheem white]

In a way I agree with you. But in life, we're always setting out on different endeavors. And before we set out to do something, are we not to ask the Lord to bless us?

Like this...

I already know that in God's Word, He tells us that the Holy Spirit will bring back to our remembrance all that He's taught us in the gospels. So, for instance, when my church outreach group goes out to Muslim communities to spread the gospel in street witnessing (which is very typical of them and we're scheduled next weekend) am I not supposed to ask the Lord, "Lord, please give us the words to say in spreading the gospel of salvation to them."?

There are so many examples. To say "you're not supposed to ask your Father Whom you have a personal relationship with and ask of Him anything" is like scripting us as His children.
The very Word of God frees us from sin and frees us to live in Christ. So, how is it that we are bound from expressing anything to Him - even if we express sorrow and ask Him for the very thing we can ask from Him when He said in example prayer: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

I guess my question is, if we are bound from asking him of what He's already given us with forgiveness, can't the same thing be said about so many other things? Don't ask for that desired career job because Matthew 6:33 says "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be added to you." Right?

Why is everyone twisting my words? I never said you were bound from doing anything! We are all free in Christ! All I wanted everyone to see was that as a Born again believer you don't have to ask God everyday for forgiveness because You are already forgiven. If you choose to still do so "God Bless you" i didn't say you are condemned for it! I didn't say you were going to hell for it! I didn't say God was upset with you for it! I said it is something you don't have to ask for, It is something that you can thank Him for!!!

 

[unfinishedclay]

You don't have to!! You thank Him for being such an awesome and loving God and You thank Him because you are Blessed you thank him because you are Loved... Do you go to God and ask Him to love you? No!!! Because you already know He does, you thank Him for his love! Is there anything wrong with you asking Him? No, But I just wanted people to see it from a deeper perspective "that's all".. The bible says we are complete in Christ. The scripture says if you "LACK" wisdom ask God... meaning if there is something you don't don't ask God, if there is something that you believe you lack, ask God... Thank you for your input, i really appreciate it saint.. God Bless you

I appreciate you answering, shame.
<X shame edited to replace with shaheem (I hate auto correct!! Sorry.)>
But what about this passage that does apply to those of us who are His children in Christ?

John 15:7 "If you abide in Me (Jesus) and my Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it will be done to you."

We can definitely ask for what has already been made available. But God's sovereign design for relationship with His children includes communicating to Him by asking for what He already knows we'll ask as well as for what He has already made available to us. I definitely agree with you that we are to thank Him for it all. But how do we bypass passages like John 15:7? and so many others?

 

[Goatee]

If it were a matter of just believing in Jesus and that's that then we would need not do anything of our own to seek salvation.

Jesus said we would need to follow him by picking up our cross. That in itself shows it is not a simple thing. We have to suffer.

Suffering means everything in this life. Both physically and mentally for Christ.

He sent out the Apostles to forgive sins or retain sins. Through Apostolic succession this has been passed on to the Bishops and the Priests.

Once saved always saved comes at a cost. The narrow way is not the easy way!

 

[RaymondG]

In a way I agree with you. But in life, we're always setting out on different endeavors. And before we set out to do something, are we not to ask the Lord to bless us?

Like this...

I already know that in God's Word, He tells us that the Holy Spirit will bring back to our remembrance all that He's taught us in the gospels. So, for instance, when my church outreach group goes out to Muslim communities to spread the gospel in street witnessing (which is very typical of them and we're scheduled next weekend) am I not supposed to ask the Lord, "Lord, please give us the words to say in spreading the gospel of salvation to them."?

There are so many examples. To say "you're not supposed to ask your Father Whom you have a personal relationship with and ask of Him anything" is like scripting us as His children.
The very Word of God frees us from sin and frees us to live in Christ. So, how is it that we are bound from expressing anything to Him - even if we express sorrow and ask Him for the very thing we can ask from Him when He said in example prayer: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

I guess my question is, if we are bound from asking him of what He's already given us with forgiveness, can't the same thing be said about so many other things? Don't ask for that desired career job because Matthew 6:33 says "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be added to you." Right?

Good points.

Jesus said that when you go before the courts, dont reason beforehand what to say.....the holy spirit will speak for you when the time comes. If you dont believe this....then it is ok to pray for the words before you go out.

You should continue to ask God for whatever you feel you dont have. But keep in mind....When you ask...you have to first believe that you already have and then you will have it. A fun puzzle to unravel their....

So what do we say to God?

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

...I don't have to continue asking Him anything, what I do Is i'll continue to thank HIm for what I know he is about to bless me with!!!

The definition of presumption:

1. an act or instance of taking something to be true or adopting a particular attitude toward something, especially at the start of a chain of argument or action.
2. behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.

Two very different definitions, but both hinging on the same word. The connection between the two words is in the assumption that something is true and then taking it for granted ("granted," also, is a word rich in meaning. It assumes something to have already been given).

John 14:13
"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

The imperative word, here, is "ask." To not ask, to assume, is to be presumptuous. It is to fulfill the first definition of the word by assuming that what you want is already going to be fulfilled (which may, actually, be true). It also fulfills the second definition by being too arrogant to bother asking.

It's an easy trap to sublimate the presumption by replacing it with thankfulness. No one can condemn you for being thankful. However, thankfulness is no replacement for the humility of asking. Had you asked, and God answered, you still would have followed it with thankfulness, and so the thanks-versus-asking argument is superfluous.

 

[iwbswiaihl2]

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....

I am of the belief that believers should walk by faith and claim the victories that come with salvation. Therefore it seems to me that since all our sins are forgiven because of the sacrifice that Jesus paid on the cross we should do as scripture say, 1John1:9 if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, there I would say to confess the known sin and thank Him for paying your sin debt, that way you walk by faith trusting that He did as He said He would do, never to remember them no more. Look at David's sin when he was confronted by Nathan, you can read the whole context in 2 Sam 12, but I will show this v13-14 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” The principle is stated in Lev 5:5 ‘And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing; 6 and he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord for his sin which he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin. Just look up the word confess in a concordance and one can see this is carried out throughout the scriptures. We walk by faith and not by sight, I just believe that trusting Him by faith is a practice for building up in the faith. The model prayer says forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others their trespasses, seem to me that we are to forgive others like He forgave us and the incident in Matt 18: 21-35 shows that. But I do believe, each person must do as they believe, whatever is not done of faith is sin, says James. But that belief must align itself with the word of God, where there is no obedience and repentance, I side with the word word of God, especially with Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

 

[unfinishedclay]

Nobody is sin free. To say you are sin free is a trick from the devil.

Jesus came to save sinners. We have to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. This means turning to Him and asking for forgiveness when we fall. He gave us a way to Heaven. We need to realise we are all weak.

Anyone who says they do not sin is kidding themselves.

I absolutely agree with you here, Goatee. I do also believe that Jesus came to set us free from sin. We don't have to be in bondage to it and absolutely should live with a repentant heart that is readily inclined to ask for God's forgiveness as we live our lives set apart for Jesus. When we turn away from sinful lifestyle with the sole purpose of setting out each day to live for Christ, we are more victorious over sins and more prepared to stand against temptation.

I truly believe we are also kidding ourselves when we comfortably allow ourselves to sin just because God's grace is extended to us. This is what enabled my husband's affair even though he called himself a believer.
Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Should we continue in sin that grace may about? God forbid."

Please forgive my passion. But I've been incredibly hurt - torn in pieces along with my kids - due to a loose outlook on sin of adultery and forgiveness that accompanied my husband's presumption that he was still in Christ living the way he was living. And his assumption about forgiveness enabled his behavior. While he was in an affair we knew nothing about yet, he taught one of our household's Bible study teaching the story of the prodigal son in a way that gave our teenage sons the impression of this:

The Benefits of Sin and then the further benefits of being able to go to the Father Who looks for the the prodigal without the prodigal's repentance. Which truly, God does look for us even before we repent. But my husband's message that night was sooo twisted. Only a year + later did we realize why.

 

[RaymondG]

The definition of presumption:

1. an act or instance of taking something to be true or adopting a particular attitude toward something, especially at the start of a chain of argument or action.
2. behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.

Two very different definitions, but both hinging on the same word. The connection between the two words is in the assumption that something is true and then taking it for granted ("granted," also, is a word rich in meaning. It assumes something to have already been given).

John 14:13
"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

The imperative word, here, is "ask." To not ask, to assume, is to be presumptuous. It is to fulfill the first definition of the word by assuming that what you want is already going to be fulfilled (which may, actually, be true). It also fulfills the second definition by being too arrogant to bother asking.

It's an easy trap to sublimate the presumption by replacing it with thankfulness. No one can condemn you for being thankful. However, thankfulness is no replacement for the humility of asking. Had you asked, and God answered, you still would have followed it with thankfulness, and so the thanks-versus-asking argument is superfluous.

How would you interpret the following verse in Mark? (11:24

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

 

[shaheem white]

I am of the belief that believers should walk by faith and claim the victories that come with salvation. Therefore it seems to me that since all our sins are forgiven because of the sacrifice that Jesus paid on the cross we should do as scripture say, 1John1:9 if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, there I would say to confess the known sin and thank Him for paying your sin debt, that way you walk by faith trusting that He did as He said He would do, never to remember them no more. Look at David's sin when he was confronted by Nathan, you can read the whole context in 2 Sam 12, but I will show this v13-14 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” The principle is stated in Lev 5:5 ‘And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing; 6 and he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord for his sin which he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin. Just look up the word confess in a concordance and one can see this is carried out throughout the scriptures. We walk by faith and not by sight, I just believe that trusting Him by faith is a practice for building up in the faith. The model prayer says forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others their trespasses, seem to me that we are to forgive others like He forgave us and the incident in Matt 18: 21-35 shows that. But I do believe, each person must do as they believe, whatever is not done of faith is sin, says James.

I am in no way condemning anyone for doing what they believe is right, I'm simply trying to get the saints to see that we are free in Christ! and that we are Truly forgiven. I confess every night but not to be forgiven, I confess and thank God for the blood that was shed for me... People are taking this left field and some are being very rude. we are all suppose to be brothers and sisters in Christ

 

[shaheem white]

The definition of presumption:

1. an act or instance of taking something to be true or adopting a particular attitude toward something, especially at the start of a chain of argument or action.
2. behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.

Two very different definitions, but both hinging on the same word. The connection between the two words is in the assumption that something is true and then taking it for granted ("granted," also, is a word rich in meaning. It assumes something to have already been given).

John 14:13
"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

The imperative word, here, is "ask." To not ask, to assume, is to be presumptuous. It is to fulfill the first definition of the word by assuming that what you want is already going to be fulfilled (which may, actually, be true). It also fulfills the second definition by being too arrogant to bother asking.

It's an easy trap to sublimate the presumption by replacing it with thankfulness. No one can condemn you for being thankful. However, thankfulness is no replacement for the humility of asking. Had you asked, and God answered, you still would have followed it with thankfulness, and so the thanks-versus-asking argument is superfluous.

to use "vs" implies that i'm in opposition to you. i am stating my position "that's all". everyone always like to make it about "vs" i'm your brother in Christ not your enemy. God Bless and thanks for the conversation. I will ask God when I am unsure of something and I will thank my Heavenly father for everything else that I know He has and will blessed me with!!

 

[Gregory Thompson]

There's some loose sins in the space where the intents meet, I'll confess them to remove the effect. Peace out.

 

[unfinishedclay]

I am in no way condemning anyone for doing what they believe is right, I'm simply trying to get the saints to see that we are free in Christ! and that we are Truly forgiven. I confess every night but not to be forgiven, I confess and thank God for the blood that was shed for me... People are taking this left field and some are being very rude. we are all suppose to be brothers and sisters in Christ

Shaheem, if I'm one of the ones being rude, I'm truly sorry. That's certainly not my intention. I raise these types of questions all the time - especially after my experience in my marriage to my husband, who is now a far better family man now that he lives a repentant lifestyle in Jesus Christ. His loose outlook on his "belief", sin, and forgiveness hurt the rest of us 5 in our household. The forgiveness he felt entitled to as a believer (without having a heart of repentance that is a somewhat reminder of how to live) enabled him to hurt those he loves. Because it's a misinterpretation of forgiveness. Our own repentant hearts when surrendered to the Spirit are reminders of how we are to live.

 

[ConvictionofGod]

I am in no way condemning anyone for doing what they believe is right, I'm simply trying to get the saints to see that we are free in Christ! and that we are Truly forgiven. I confess every night but not to be forgiven, I confess and thank God for the blood that was shed for me... People are taking this left field and some are being very rude. we are all suppose to be brothers and sisters in Christ

the Original Sin was forgiven by the Blood of Jesus, that is so, however we are not sin free and therefore we still sin, if you continue to sin and show no remorse for them, how sure are you that come judgement day God wont lay them before you and ask why you did not confess them and ask for forgiveness?
"God help us if we die in sin; never let a sin go unanswered" Jesus's sacrifice was not a blanket sacrifice for all sin, excusing us from ever having to confess, you may thank God for his gifts all you want, but don't ignore your sins.
and i think thats what a lot of people here 'may' be confused about, it seems like you are saying you were already saved, so you never have to ask for forgiveness for future sins, Matthew 16:24 " take up thy cross daily and follow me"
Acts 17:30 "
“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him."


its a way of life, not a one time action

 

[Gregory Thompson]

a downside of not being aware of the sin the body produces, and not confessing it, the sin in the body may start to act on its own giving off messages for you that you totally didn't mean. Sometimes happens to me.

 

[RaymondG]

a downside of not being aware of the sin the body produces, and not confessing it, the sin in the body may start to act on its own giving off messages for you that you totally didn't mean. Sometimes happens to me.

It seems that the Dying on the cross had limited power.......and we need to make sure we do this and that so that its effectiveness remains.

Most believe Adam did one act....and the whole world has to do nothing to be totally affected and doomed by it.

Wouldn't this make the act of Adam, more powerful than the act of Jesus?

 

[Goatee]

I am a gigantic sinner. An adulterer.

I love God MASSIVELY and have repented for my sins, again and again. I will not let Jesus suffer for me without me going on blended knees and begging forgiveness for my failings.

If I fall, and i dearly pray I will never fall again, then I know that I can turn to Our Lord and repent deeply from my heart and ask for His forgiveness. He is full of Mercy and love.

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

Jesus gave us this prayer. He knew we can fall. He knew we could turn to God and ask for forgiveness.

Don't let anyone trap you with false words saying that you need not worry if you sin because Jesus took our sins on the cross! We need to do our bit. We need to stand up to Our sins. We need to confess them and ask for forgiveness.

God bless you all.

 

[iwbswiaihl2]

I am in no way condemning anyone for doing what they believe is right, I'm simply trying to get the saints to see that we are free in Christ! and that we are Truly forgiven. I confess every night but not to be forgiven, I confess and thank God for the blood that was shed for me... People are taking this left field and some are being very rude. we are all suppose to be brothers and sisters in Christ

Thanks, but I did not even have in mind this idea of indifference to your wording, I was thinking you were asking if I (each person) was asking for forgiveness each time I confessed, that is why I said I believed thanking Him for His forgiveness was claiming what He had already stated, that my sins are paid for in full by the death of Jesus, and I thank Him by confessing the sin and thanking Him for His forgiveness. But to be sure, no offense taken by me, nor implying your statement was in error. All is well,

I am sure you know that that there will always be opposition on most things, and we know our hearts and motives, so as long as you and I both know our hearts, I would not be moved by others, as long as I side with, what thus says the Lord.

 

[ConvictionofGod]

It seems that the Dying on the cross had limited power.......and we need to make sure we do this and that so that its effectiveness remains.

Most believe Adam did one act....and the whole world has to do nothing to be totally affected and doomed by it.

Wouldn't this make the act of Adam, more powerful than the act of Jesus?

being a christian, catholic, muslim, whatever, is not just a title, its a way of life, look at the muslims, they pray 5 times a day, because their religion is important to them, if you claim the title and helm of a religion but do absolutely nothing about it, then i dare say, you do not have the right to that title. i am turning christianity into a way of life * for me anyway* its not enough to have accepted jesus as my lord christ and savior, now i must carry the cross daily and follow Him, know Him