come clarity needed

[calluna]

I would like some help with the two verses about forgiveness, I have read the other threads about it but I still haven't got clarity on it.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" Mat 6:14

this is my question, What if I was someone who just this second got saved, and that of course includes asking God to forgive us for our sins, .

'He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins." 1John 1:9 So in this instant I know that God has forgiven me right there and then. And does this forgiveness of sins include sins past, present and future?

When we are newly born again, we don't know everything that is required of us straight away. So for example I am harboring unforgiveness towards someone, and don't realize it is necessary to forgive the other person to be free and set them free. What happens then?

Or does Mat 6:14 pertain to after we become saved and with the knowledge that we should forgive others. If we do not forgive others then He won't forgive us for future confessed sins? This still brings me back to 'He is faithful and Just and will forgive us our sins'

I really haven't studied the bible properly until only recently and I am having fun and learning new things and I believe by faith it is true so I know there is something here I am not understanding, I know someone can explain this to me easily.

Thanks my friends
Heather

 

[jiggyfly]

Being born-again means that we are now born of the Spirit of God not of flesh, we have a new nature. But it is possible to return and follow after our old nature. Before we became born-again we did not have the ability to follow after the Holy Spirit because our spirit was dead.

John 3:3-8
3 Jesus replied, “I assure you, unless you are born again,* you can never see the Kingdom of God.”
4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
5 Jesus replied, “The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.* 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. 7 So don’t be surprised at my statement that you* must be born again. 8 Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

Jesus said that you must be born-again to enter the Kingdom of God, but He didn't say that everyone that is born-again enters the Kingdom of God.

1John 4:7&8
7*Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8*But anyone who does not love does not know God—for God is love.

1Corinthians 13:4-7
4*Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5*or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. 6*It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

If God is there so is love and so is forgiveness. We must choose which one we will follow, self or God.

There was a man who was so prideful, arrogant, controlling and very unforgiving. He was dying of cancer and on his death bed he finally surrendered to Jesus. His wife led him in a prayer asking God to forgive and save him. After the prayer his wife asked him if there was anyone that he had even the slightest bit of unforgiveness towards. He answered "not anymore".

Galations 5:22-26
22*But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23*gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
24*Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25*If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26*Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.



I hope this is a help for you. God bless

 

[Snowrose]

Hi,

I'm just throwing another ball in the court so to speak. What if it has been just a short while since you have been saved and the Lord put it upon your heart to ask for forgiveness from a person you have wrong in the past. I believe I would in obedience and go to that person. Not only for my benefit but also for that person. It frees them as well.

I think of Zacchaeus - in Luke 9: 8 it says: But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." The person he has cheated - he paid not just the amount taken but four times it.

Maybe I'm explaining this all wrong. In my heart, I would want to free that person of the hurt I have caused. What do you think?

Best wishes,
Snowrose

 

[jiggyfly]

Maybe I'm explaining this all wrong. In my heart, I would want to free that person of the hurt I have caused. What do you think?

Snowrose, good post.

 

[Chad]

The Lord Jesus recently put it on my heart (for a while actually) to forgive someone. I wasn't sure if it was Him or not. But after reading for 4 years, I knew that it was positively GOD. It is either from GOD or from the devil. The devil is a persecuter. GOD is forgiving and loving.

You have the knowledge (Word of GOD, wisdom) now that you've read the verses. You are to forgive everyone, for anything so our Father can forgive you. You and the offender are freed of the sin of unforgiveness (and whichever the sin was that should lead to forgiveness)

'He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins." 1John 1:9

That is because our GOD is purely an AWESOME forgiving GOD His grace is greater than any sins. We are STILL to forgive others so that our Father will forgive us in Jesus' name

2 Corinthians 12:9
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Romans 5:15
But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.

 

[calluna]

freeing

Thanks everyone, I'm getting it now. For a very long time I held resentment and anger towards my father because of childhood. And it was only a couple of years ago, I really and truly forgave him. It freed me of years of junk. The Lord put that on my heart and it was such a release to finally let go. I can honestly say I love my dad now, and I even carry a picture of him and my mom in my purse. I could never do that. Jesus softened my heart towards them both so much. Only the Almighty can do this great work. Now I am sharing the gospel with my parents, it is long distance by phone or mail as they live overseas, but I pray that they will also come to know our loving Father God and be set free from their past.
Yes Snowrose, it's funny someone else pointed this out to me the other day, my friend asked me if I had actually asked my dad to forgive me for any wrongdoings, and hurt that I had caused him, and I have not. And it completely makes sense. So in the Lord's timing I am praying for this opportunity.
Forgiveness is freeing for both parties involved AND it makes God really .
Praise the Lord for His infinite wisdom
Heather

 

[Chad]

Glad to hear this sister. Priase the Lord for His infinite grace and constant watching over us with love.

 

[calluna]

one more-?

Jiggyfly, when you said the following

"Jesus said that you must be born-again to enter the Kingdom of God, but He didn't say that everyone that is born-again enters the Kingdom of God."
[/QUOTE]

So Entering the Kingdom of God is the same as receiving the gift of eternal life, salvation..? (I feel silly that I don't have this clear, so sorry)

Were you referring to the same discussion held on the other thread about OSAS belief?

Thanks for your patience.
Heather

 

[Snowrose]

Hi calluna,

I promise to keep you in my prayers that the Lord will bring reconciliation and healing.

With best wishes,
Snowrose

 

[jiggyfly]

Jiggyfly, when you said the following
"Jesus said that you must be born-again to enter the Kingdom of God, but He didn't say that everyone that is born-again enters the Kingdom of God."

So Entering the Kingdom of God is the same as receiving the gift of eternal life, salvation..? (I feel silly that I don't have this clear, so sorry)
Were you referring to the same discussion held on the other thread about OSAS belief?
Thanks for your patience.
Heather[/QUOTE]
Yes, it's kinda like everyone that goes to college must have a high school diploma, but having a high school diploma doesn't mean that you are going to go to college.

Matthew 7:13&14
13 "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way.
14 But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.

Note Jesus said there is a gate and a road or path that leads to life. You must enter through the gate and then travel the road. Jesus did not say enter through the gate and you have arrived.

When we have a misunderstanding of God's word concerning a certain subject or principle, it can cause us to misunderstand or misinterpret other scripture.

 

[jiggyfly]

Jiggyfly, when you said the following
"Jesus said that you must be born-again to enter the Kingdom of God, but He didn't say that everyone that is born-again enters the Kingdom of God."

So Entering the Kingdom of God is the same as receiving the gift of eternal life, salvation..? (I feel silly that I don't have this clear, so sorry)
Were you referring to the same discussion held on the other thread about OSAS belief?
Thanks for your patience.
Heather[/QUOTE]
Yes, it's kinda like everyone that goes to college must have a high school diploma, but having a high school diploma doesn't mean that you are going to go to college.

Matthew 7:13&14
13 "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way.
14 But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.

Note Jesus said there is a gate and a road or path that leads to life. You must enter through the gate and then travel the road. Jesus did not say enter through the gate and you have arrived.

When we have a misunderstanding of God's word concerning a certain subject or principle, it can cause us to misunderstand or misinterpret other scripture. The things that are faulty or defective will have to be torn down before we can continue to build up. OSAS doctrine is one such case. God bless you, I hope this helps you calluna.

 

[calluna]

Thank you. You have been helpful. I am not sure about the OSAS. if this belief is inaccurate, alot of people are living in false security. That is scary.

Heather