Suicide
- Thread starter Rickeo
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Suicide is one's attitude that GOD cannot fix their problem, which is not true. So therefore, suicide is like saying "GOD, your not strong enough to fix my problems, so I'm refusing you and taking my life away". You reject Jesus as Savior (obviously) and clearly assume GOD cannot fix your problems. Therefore, you go to hell.
How absolutely strange because just one minute ago I pasted the exact below in another thread titled "Eat Jesus!". It applies to this topic as well:
And for all the times we worry or mourn over our temptations,
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
In addition to the above, a relationship with Jesus, our Savior and our GOD can turn into miraculous blessings when we seek Him sincerely.
1 Chronicles 16:10-12
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
11 Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
How absolutely strange because just one minute ago I pasted the exact below in another thread titled "Eat Jesus!". It applies to this topic as well:
And for all the times we worry or mourn over our temptations,
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
In addition to the above, a relationship with Jesus, our Savior and our GOD can turn into miraculous blessings when we seek Him sincerely.
1 Chronicles 16:10-12
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
11 Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
Word of Life
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Personally, I do not believe a real born again Christian will or could commit suicide, because God has a plan for that person and all that person would want to do is be obedient to our Father and do our Fathers will and our own will. Our own life has to be put on hold.
If you read the book of Acts, there were many peope who had received the message from God (The Gospel) with joy and happiness and they believed, but they had not yet received the holy spirit.
Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Now I am not saying that I don't get angry, upset or feel low and down from time to time, because I do. But I always know that my Father and our Lord Jesus will lift me up, after I have been too prayer, praise and worship.
If you are feeling despressed, go to our Father and ask Him to teach you how praise and worship Him in spirit. Then believe it, and He will teach you.
What is the Christian view of suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide?
From: Gotquestions
Question: "What is the Christian view of suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide?"
Answer: According to the Bible, whether a person commits suicide is not what determines whether he or she gains entrance into heaven. If an unsaved person commits suicide, he or she has done nothing but “expedite” his or her journey to the lake of fire. However, the person who committed suicide will ultimately be in hell for rejecting salvation through Christ, not because he or she committed suicide. The Bible mentions five specific people who committed suicide: Abimelech (Judges 9:54), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4), Saul's armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4-6), Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), Zimri (1 Kings 16:18), and Judas (Matthew 27:5). All of them were wicked, evil, sinful men (not enough is said regarding Saul's armor-bearer to make a judgment as to his character). Some consider Samson an instance of suicide (Judges 16:26-31), but Samson's goal was to kill the Philistines, not himself. The Bible views suicide as equal to murder – that’s what it is – self-murder. God is the One who is to decide when and how a person should die. To take that power into your own hands, according to the Bible, is blasphemy to God.
What does the Bible say about a Christian who commits suicide? I do not believe that a Christian who commits suicide will lose salvation and go to hell. The Bible teaches that from the moment a person truly believes in Christ, he or she is eternally secure (John 3:16). According to the Bible, Christians can know beyond any doubt that they possess eternal life no matter what happens. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). Nothing can separate a Christian from God’s love! “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). If no “created thing” can separate a Christian from God’s love, and even a Christian who commits suicide is a “created thing,” then not even suicide can separate him from God’s love. Jesus died for all of our sins...and if a true Christian were to, in a time of spiritual attack and weakness, commit suicide - that would be a sin that Jesus died for.
This is not to say that suicide is not a serious sin against God. According to the Bible, suicide is murder; it is always wrong. I would have serious doubts about the genuineness of faith of anyone who claimed to be a Christian yet committed suicide. There is no circumstance that can justify someone, especially a Christian, taking his or her own life. Christians are called to live their lives for God – the decision on when to die is God’s and God’s alone. Perhaps a good way to illustrate suicide for a Christian would be from the Book of Esther. The Persians had a law that anyone who came before the king uninvited could be put to death unless the king extended his scepter towards the person - indicating mercy. Suicide for a Christian would be forcing your way in to see the King instead of waiting for Him to summon you. He will point His scepter towards you, sparing your eternal life, but that does not mean He is happy with you. Although it is not describing suicide, the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 3:15 is probably a good description of what happens to a Christian who commits suicide: “He himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
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If you read the book of Acts, there were many peope who had received the message from God (The Gospel) with joy and happiness and they believed, but they had not yet received the holy spirit.
Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Now I am not saying that I don't get angry, upset or feel low and down from time to time, because I do. But I always know that my Father and our Lord Jesus will lift me up, after I have been too prayer, praise and worship.
If you are feeling despressed, go to our Father and ask Him to teach you how praise and worship Him in spirit. Then believe it, and He will teach you.
What is the Christian view of suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide?
From: Gotquestions
Question: "What is the Christian view of suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide?"
Answer: According to the Bible, whether a person commits suicide is not what determines whether he or she gains entrance into heaven. If an unsaved person commits suicide, he or she has done nothing but “expedite” his or her journey to the lake of fire. However, the person who committed suicide will ultimately be in hell for rejecting salvation through Christ, not because he or she committed suicide. The Bible mentions five specific people who committed suicide: Abimelech (Judges 9:54), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4), Saul's armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4-6), Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), Zimri (1 Kings 16:18), and Judas (Matthew 27:5). All of them were wicked, evil, sinful men (not enough is said regarding Saul's armor-bearer to make a judgment as to his character). Some consider Samson an instance of suicide (Judges 16:26-31), but Samson's goal was to kill the Philistines, not himself. The Bible views suicide as equal to murder – that’s what it is – self-murder. God is the One who is to decide when and how a person should die. To take that power into your own hands, according to the Bible, is blasphemy to God.
What does the Bible say about a Christian who commits suicide? I do not believe that a Christian who commits suicide will lose salvation and go to hell. The Bible teaches that from the moment a person truly believes in Christ, he or she is eternally secure (John 3:16). According to the Bible, Christians can know beyond any doubt that they possess eternal life no matter what happens. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). Nothing can separate a Christian from God’s love! “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). If no “created thing” can separate a Christian from God’s love, and even a Christian who commits suicide is a “created thing,” then not even suicide can separate him from God’s love. Jesus died for all of our sins...and if a true Christian were to, in a time of spiritual attack and weakness, commit suicide - that would be a sin that Jesus died for.
This is not to say that suicide is not a serious sin against God. According to the Bible, suicide is murder; it is always wrong. I would have serious doubts about the genuineness of faith of anyone who claimed to be a Christian yet committed suicide. There is no circumstance that can justify someone, especially a Christian, taking his or her own life. Christians are called to live their lives for God – the decision on when to die is God’s and God’s alone. Perhaps a good way to illustrate suicide for a Christian would be from the Book of Esther. The Persians had a law that anyone who came before the king uninvited could be put to death unless the king extended his scepter towards the person - indicating mercy. Suicide for a Christian would be forcing your way in to see the King instead of waiting for Him to summon you. He will point His scepter towards you, sparing your eternal life, but that does not mean He is happy with you. Although it is not describing suicide, the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 3:15 is probably a good description of what happens to a Christian who commits suicide: “He himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
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God is love
I personally know 3 Christians who have committed suicide all of them were active in their faith and in their Christian witness one of them had been a real trooper for the Lord and had an active witness right up until she took her own life. Of course in each case there was a mental illness factor. Mental illness is very nasty but because you can't see it, or smell it or touch it some folk have a hard time understanding such things.
Suicide is such an insidious thing or rather the mental illness that brings it on. It erodes away all thoughts of self-preservation and builds up to such a crescendo of emotional pain that suicide seems like the best option. (Its better felt than telt)
If you can say that God sends Christians to hell for being mentally ill then I think there might something to the notion. But if He does, that seems to be a contradiction to the scripture ...the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,.. Some might question God's justice in the matter too. It's not that far removed from a husband saying to his wife, 'these children of ours have been naughty lets through them in the trash and have some more.' If human love which is imperfect wouldn't do that. Then how much more would God, who is perfect love; do such a thing to his children.
Blessings,
Tony
I personally know 3 Christians who have committed suicide all of them were active in their faith and in their Christian witness one of them had been a real trooper for the Lord and had an active witness right up until she took her own life. Of course in each case there was a mental illness factor. Mental illness is very nasty but because you can't see it, or smell it or touch it some folk have a hard time understanding such things.
Suicide is such an insidious thing or rather the mental illness that brings it on. It erodes away all thoughts of self-preservation and builds up to such a crescendo of emotional pain that suicide seems like the best option. (Its better felt than telt)
If you can say that God sends Christians to hell for being mentally ill then I think there might something to the notion. But if He does, that seems to be a contradiction to the scripture ...the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,.. Some might question God's justice in the matter too. It's not that far removed from a husband saying to his wife, 'these children of ours have been naughty lets through them in the trash and have some more.' If human love which is imperfect wouldn't do that. Then how much more would God, who is perfect love; do such a thing to his children.
Blessings,
Tony
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You make an excellent point brother Tony. In the end, only GOD decides who goes where for eternity. It all boils down to one believing and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Son of GOD. We sinners have no right (outside what Scripture clearly states) to assume who goes where. Some touchy issues such as suicide, as Tony explained strong Christians who may have faced some sort of mental illness, should be left in silence on our part as we do not have the perfect answser.
However, its important to keep in mind that Jesus is healer, deliver, comforter. Our GOD does not sit around doing nothing to those who faithfully believe in Him and call His name. There is absolutely no issue that GOD cannot fix. Jesus paid the price for *all* things affected by sin, mostly humans. So suicide is really still neglecting GOD's power and love. Then again, we are limited in understanding and should not speak more than what we know and what Scripture has taught us.
However, its important to keep in mind that Jesus is healer, deliver, comforter. Our GOD does not sit around doing nothing to those who faithfully believe in Him and call His name. There is absolutely no issue that GOD cannot fix. Jesus paid the price for *all* things affected by sin, mostly humans. So suicide is really still neglecting GOD's power and love. Then again, we are limited in understanding and should not speak more than what we know and what Scripture has taught us.
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I posted this in the Testimonies forum. This is an amazing story about one who was about to commit suicide.
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On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone.
The pastor let the phone ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a f few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night.
The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night.
The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. Then the man said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, "That's, OK. Let me tell you my story.
You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was afraid to answer!"
The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from "Almighty God" is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!!
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On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone.
The pastor let the phone ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a f few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night.
The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night.
The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. Then the man said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, "That's, OK. Let me tell you my story.
You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was afraid to answer!"
The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from "Almighty God" is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!!
That is a great story
Made me smile.Here is a small article I found very helpful when my ex's Father committed suicide. He was a Christian his whole life, and it really through her threw a loop when her Catholic mother assured her He was in hell.
Can one who commits suicide be saved?
Suicide is a grave sin equivalent to murder (Exodus 20:13; 21:23), but it can be forgiven like any other sin. And Scripture says clearly that those redeemed by God have been forgiven for all their sins—past, present, and future (Colossians 2:13-14). Paul says in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
So if a true Christian would commit suicide in a time of extreme weakness, he or she would be received into heaven (Jude 24). But we question the faith of those who take their lives or even consider it seriously—it may well be that they have never been truly saved.
That' because God's children are defined repeatedly in Scripture as those who have hope (Acts 24:15; Romans 5:2-5, 8:24; 2 Corinthians 1:10, etc.) and purpose in life (Luke 9:23-25; Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:29). And those who think of committing suicide do so because they have neither hope nor purpose in their lives.
Furthermore, one who repeatedly considers suicide is practicing sin in his heart (Proverbs 23:7), and 1 John 3:9 says that "no one who is born of God practices sin." And finally, suicide is often the ultimate evidence of a heart that rejects the lordship of Jesus Christ, because it is an act where the sinner is taking his life into his own hands completely rather than submitting to God's will for it. Surely many of those who have taken their lives will hear those horrifying words from the Lord Jesus at the judgment—"I never knew you; Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23).
So though it may be possible for a true believer to commit suicide, we believe that is an unusual occurrence. Someone considering suicide should be challenged above all to examine himself to see whether he is in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).
(John Macarthur)
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That is a great story
Here is a small article I found very helpful when my ex's Father committed suicide. He was a Christian his whole life, and it really through her threw a loop when her Catholic mother assured her He was in hell.
Can one who commits suicide be saved?
Suicide is a grave sin equivalent to murder (Exodus 20:13; 21:23), but it can be forgiven like any other sin. And Scripture says clearly that those redeemed by God have been forgiven for all their sins—past, present, and future (Colossians 2:13-14). Paul says in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
So if a true Christian would commit suicide in a time of extreme weakness, he or she would be received into heaven (Jude 24). But we question the faith of those who take their lives or even consider it seriously—it may well be that they have never been truly saved.
That' because God's children are defined repeatedly in Scripture as those who have hope (Acts 24:15; Romans 5:2-5, 8:24; 2 Corinthians 1:10, etc.) and purpose in life (Luke 9:23-25; Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:29). And those who think of committing suicide do so because they have neither hope nor purpose in their lives.
Furthermore, one who repeatedly considers suicide is practicing sin in his heart (Proverbs 23:7), and 1 John 3:9 says that "no one who is born of God practices sin." And finally, suicide is often the ultimate evidence of a heart that rejects the lordship of Jesus Christ, because it is an act where the sinner is taking his life into his own hands completely rather than submitting to God's will for it. Surely many of those who have taken their lives will hear those horrifying words from the Lord Jesus at the judgment—"I never knew you; Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23).
So though it may be possible for a true believer to commit suicide, we believe that is an unusual occurrence. Someone considering suicide should be challenged above all to examine himself to see whether he is in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).
(John Macarthur)
Red bold portion:
This is false. In order to be forgiven, one must ask for forgiveness. That is impossible in situation such as suicide as the person is now dead.
Please read my post prior to the last one with the article.
So if a Christian sins just before he/she dies, she goes to hell? Jesus only died for the sins that we realize we committed, and only the ones we asked him to? Not all of them past present and future?
Col 2
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses
EDIT (posted on accident before finished):
God's forgiveness is not narrow. To be a Christian means that ALL of your sins are forgiven. In the New Testament time and time again that rings crystal clear and is spelled out up and down. Separated as far as East is from West. It's a huge thing in the Catholic church to add to the bible, and add all kinds of "Mortal sins" and etc. but give me a single piece scripture that indicates God's forgiveness is narrowed only to the sins we ask him to forgive. Arguing on that basis I don't see a case.
Last edited:
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In order to receive forgiveness, you must confess your sins and be forgiven. That is how GOD operates. The forgivness is there waiting for you. It does not come to you automatically if you do not confess your sins and ask for forgiveness in Jesus' name.
Sin cannot enter Heaven either.
You show me Scripture that says GOD forgives us automatically without us asking for forgiveness. This makes no sense. I may as well not ask for forgiveness ever again anytime I sin, right???
Word of Life
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To the person who started this thread, if your intention was to kill yourself, please don't do it. There are answers, you just may not see them today. God is there and He will help you and He will strenghten you.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
To the ones that have sinned or think they may sin and are worried that they may die, if you are born in spirit, God will tell you immediately that you have done wrong, so don't wait a second, just repent imediately, and ask God for forgiveness. So if you so happened to die a minute later, you will be saved because you have acknowleged the sin and you have repented to our Father in Heaven, through our Lord Jesus Christ. If you have that daily relationship with God, this will not be hard to do, as God will be on your mind all day.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Deu 11:13) And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
(Jos 22:5) But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Please remember the person that was being crucified with Jesus, he repented and Jesus told him, he was saved.
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Now the question, if one is still sinning, either they do not have that relationship with God daily, or they need to ask themselves, are they born in spirit. If one has both, I just cannot see one deliberately sinning, it just cannot happen. Sinning deliberately, like committing adultery for example, is normally a planned sin. If one is going to commit adultery, a Christian will know it's wrong, but you still plan to drive all that way to that persons house, which takes time, so you are planning this and you continue on with it. Then you have sinned against God. If one is born in spirit, I personally think, between point A and point B, God will talk to you during that journey, to stop you going ahead with that sin, through the Holy Spirit.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Another example, I was told this weekend a pastor at a certain church, went out and killed someone? This was planned, you just don't go out and kill someone? I just wonder who and what these people are being taught out there.
We need to ask God to change us, and that process can be very painful and will take time. No one can get rid of unclean habits overnight. But if we have God in our life and have that daily relationship with Him, He can help us:
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Luk 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
To the ones that have sinned or think they may sin and are worried that they may die, if you are born in spirit, God will tell you immediately that you have done wrong, so don't wait a second, just repent imediately, and ask God for forgiveness. So if you so happened to die a minute later, you will be saved because you have acknowleged the sin and you have repented to our Father in Heaven, through our Lord Jesus Christ. If you have that daily relationship with God, this will not be hard to do, as God will be on your mind all day.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Deu 11:13) And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
(Jos 22:5) But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Please remember the person that was being crucified with Jesus, he repented and Jesus told him, he was saved.
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Now the question, if one is still sinning, either they do not have that relationship with God daily, or they need to ask themselves, are they born in spirit. If one has both, I just cannot see one deliberately sinning, it just cannot happen. Sinning deliberately, like committing adultery for example, is normally a planned sin. If one is going to commit adultery, a Christian will know it's wrong, but you still plan to drive all that way to that persons house, which takes time, so you are planning this and you continue on with it. Then you have sinned against God. If one is born in spirit, I personally think, between point A and point B, God will talk to you during that journey, to stop you going ahead with that sin, through the Holy Spirit.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Another example, I was told this weekend a pastor at a certain church, went out and killed someone? This was planned, you just don't go out and kill someone? I just wonder who and what these people are being taught out there.
We need to ask God to change us, and that process can be very painful and will take time. No one can get rid of unclean habits overnight. But if we have God in our life and have that daily relationship with Him, He can help us:
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Luk 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Your sins are already forgiven because they are covered by the blood of Christ. You are adding to the covenant. You are saying that you need Jesus + constantly making sure you keep track of every sin and asking God to forgive it. I'm pretty sure the New Testament makes it abundantly clear that Christ is enough. Christ is it 100%.
Faithful Son
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That's a bold statement to make that Chad is adding to the covenant brother Jculver. I doubt Chad is adding to the covenant. He asked you for scripture, so it's best to provide it if you have it brother.
If we think about it, Chad is correct.
Romans 14:11
For it is written: “ As I live, says the LORD,Every knee shall bow to Me,And every tongue shall confess to God.”
1 John 1:8-10
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
James 5:13-20
Meeting Specific Needs
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Bring Back the Erring One
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
Revelation 3:5
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
If we are overcomers in Jesus, we will continue to confess each and every sin to God. If we can't remember what we did, which is highly unlikely, God will let us know in time.
Confession of sin, come from confession of what Jesus did for us, for Jesus is our confession, like you said.
God bless you
If we think about it, Chad is correct.
Romans 14:11
For it is written: “ As I live, says the LORD,Every knee shall bow to Me,And every tongue shall confess to God.”
1 John 1:8-10
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
James 5:13-20
Meeting Specific Needs
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Bring Back the Erring One
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
Revelation 3:5
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
If we are overcomers in Jesus, we will continue to confess each and every sin to God. If we can't remember what we did, which is highly unlikely, God will let us know in time.
Confession of sin, come from confession of what Jesus did for us, for Jesus is our confession, like you said.
God bless you
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You still did not provide me Scripture. And no, I am not adding to the covenant. I preach truth. What about you?
So tell me, if you sin today, you won't ask GOD to forgive and you'll just go to bed fine?
jculver, john wrote in 1 john that if we do sin we have an advocate on our behalf and that being jesus christ our lord. why would john have written such a thing if we can just keep on sinning and never ask forgiveness. not to mention the many times that god chastened israel and did not let up until they repented.
our lord is very merciful and loving but we have to look into our own hearts and allow the spirit to show us our sin that we can repent and ask forgiveness for. even peter when he denied christ to the public fell and repented of his sin.
our lord is very merciful and loving but we have to look into our own hearts and allow the spirit to show us our sin that we can repent and ask forgiveness for. even peter when he denied christ to the public fell and repented of his sin.
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Brother ushalk, great response. The mention of Peter's denial and repentance is a great example! Thank you.
Also brother jculver, in another thread you expressed your walking away from GOD, and another thread returning to Him. Have you asked Him for forgiveness? I cannot imagine you came back to the Lord as if everything was ok and you did nothing wrong.
Also brother jculver, in another thread you expressed your walking away from GOD, and another thread returning to Him. Have you asked Him for forgiveness? I cannot imagine you came back to the Lord as if everything was ok and you did nothing wrong.
First I would like to say something about the article I posted, and then I will go through each reply as they have come, and explain my belief.
John Macarthur is not just some mediocre article writer. He has spent more time in scripture than most people alive today. He knows the original languages , and (feel free to look this up) has spent at least 30-40 hours a week studying scripture for the passed 40+ years.
This is not a minority view I hold. Many Christians hold this view exactly as I do. The idea that you can look at an article written by a true man of God, who has studied, and toiled his whole life in the word of God, and just call it "false" without providing any scripture (you still have not) is not going to sway my opinion.
This scripture still does indicate that if we fail to confess the sin is unforgiven. It simply does not say that.
The topic does not involve saying you have no sin, the topic is the requirement of confession for forgiveness. 1 John 1:8-10 is speaking specifically about those who say "I have not sinned since I became a Christian" when it is taken in context.
I'm not saying I have no sin. I don't think anyone here is making that argument. That is what the topic of that verse is. See the very bottom of this post for further explanation.
I don't see anything in that scripture that indicates that confession is required for the forgiveness of that sin.
These scriptures further indicate that God will chasten you for your sins as a Christian, not Damn you.Regardless of confession. He will chasten you until you repent. These verses are clearly talking about people that God is chastening, as they are "sick" and not damned.
Beautiful scripture, but again I don't see it indicating that confession is required for the forgiveness of sin.
I have yet to see any specific piece of scripture that indicates this theology. I understand your view, and thank you for the scriptural references, but I do not feel they have indicated to me what you are saying.
No I would not go to bed fine. I would confess my sin if I had knowledge of it, and thank God for the opportunity. I also asked for scripture to back your view and have yet to be presented with any. None of the three scriptures you posted say anything about confession being required for forgiveness.
Notice exactly what you said is correct. God will chasten you for your sins as a Christian, not Damn you. We were saved from that by Jesus Christ and him alone. See above for my reply to using 1 John as an argument for this. Please also see the article I have posted at the bottom of this post. Thank you for your contribution to this thread.
Of course I would not continue on as I was. Please see the reply I leave in that thread specifically for that specific topic.
In Summary
I would just like to bring a few situations to light. Lets say you were somewhere, and you witnessed something that caused you to sin in your mind. Say a billboard that had some sort of risque advertisement, that you could not avoid seeing. Say you sin mentally from seeing this. Say you are then immediately hit by a car and die before a chance to confess. What then? Hell because you didn't have a chance to confess it?
Say you sin without knowing (there are many sins you could perform and not realize it right away). You then die before a chance to realize and confess the sin. God sends you to hell?
This theology that you are backing is largely held by the catholic church. This is EXACTLY why they have invented the idea of purgatory and prayers for the dead. That is exactly why, for just these scenarios I am discussing.
Now, would a Christian confess his or her sin if able? Absolutely. They will be driven and pulled and yanked by the spirit to do so and eventually they will. If a person hit's a moment of weakness and kills themselves, and they are a Christian who has taken away their opportunity to repent in this life, that sin is still covered by the blood of Christ.
Will this occurrence happen often? No. If ever at all. The point I am making is that a person does not go to hell for suicide because the sin goes unconfessed, they would go because that sin indicates they were never a Christian in the first place. I have not seen ANY scripture to back the claim that sins must be confessed to be forgiven. A true Christian will be driven to confess, and will as often as possible, but the idea that God would not forgive a sin we didn't realize, or a sin we didn't confess after living our lives as much for him as possible is not backed by any of the scriptures posted thus far.
I'll end with scriptures that indicate exactly how broad God's forgiveness is.
John 3-16
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
What is Salvation? Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone. There are no strings attached. Whoever believes in him is not condemned. A believer will be a new creation, and that creation will confess his/her sins, but if that creation for some reason misses one, doesn't realize one, NOTHING indicates ANYWHERE that that sin goes unforgiven.
I have been accused of not posting scripture to back my view. I already posted this so I'll go ahead and do it again.
Colossians 2:13-14
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
All trespasses. This is not somehow exclusive to sins we confess.
Ephesians 2:13
13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Near through the blood of Christ, not through the blood of Christ + confession.
I really don't think I need to go on. The New Testament CONSTANTLY talks about how sufficient Christ's sacrifice is for our reconciliation with God. Constantly. That is the theme of all 4 Gospels.
Finally
I will post another article to respond more clearly to ushalk and Teraside in their query of 1 John.
If We Confess Our Sins
by
John MacArthur
All Rights Reserved
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:9.
That is one of the first verses many new Christians memorize–and rightly so. It holds forth the comforting promise of forgiveness and cleansing for all of us who have struggled with guilt in this sin-stained world. Yet there are some today who, because they fail to comprehend the extent of divine forgiveness, deny the clear teaching of 1 John 1:9 and teach other to do the same. They say that to pray for forgiveness reveals unbelief. After all, a healthy Christian doesn’t experience guilt because he understands Christ’s total forgiveness. Why seek forgiveness when you already have it?
However, their guilt-free brand of Christianity not only burdens guilty people with more guilt, but also strips away the only means to alleviate the guilt of sin–confession. Rather than helping Christians draw near to God, they are reinforcing the barrier of sin that interrupts their relationship with God. But that’s not the end of the story.
The Bible clearly teaches that Christians should seek forgiveness. Consider this:
In each one of the penitential psalms (Pss. 6; 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143), the psalmist is demonstrating the heart of a justified believer when he seeks forgiveness. In each case the psalmist is already a believer, fully forgiven.
In the gospels, Christ taught believers to ask the Father to forgive their sins (Matt. 6:12; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4). Some of those to whom He spoke were already born again.
In 1 John 1, the verb tenses show that confession and forgiveness should be a continuous experience. Verse 7 literally reads, "The blood of Jesus His Son keeps cleansing us from all sin," and verse 9 likewise says, "If we are continually confessing our sins." Those to whom John wrote were already fully forgiven believers (cf. 5:13).
But the question remains: Why are you supposed to seek God’s forgiveness if He has already justified you? If justification takes care of sin past, present, and future, so there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom. 8:1), why pray for forgiveness? Aren’t you praying for something that is already yours?
The answer is that divine forgiveness has two aspects. One is the judicial forgiveness God grants as Judge. It’s the forgiveness God purchased for you by Christ’s atonement for your sin. That kind of forgiveness frees you from any threat of eternal condemnation. It is the forgiveness of justification. Such pardon is immediately complete–you’ll never need to seek it again.
The other is a parental forgiveness God grants as your Father. He is grieved when His children sin. The forgiveness of justification takes care of judicial guilt, but it does not nullify His fatherly displeasure over your sin. He chastens those whom He loves, for their good (Heb. 12:5-11).
Let me show you the difference:
Judicial forgiveness deals with sin’s penalty–parental forgiveness deals with sin’s consequences.
Judicial forgiveness frees us from the condemnation of the righteous, omniscient Judge whom we have wronged–parental forgiveness sets things right with a grieving and displeased but loving Father.
Judicial forgiveness provides an unshakeable standing before the throne of divine judgment–parental forgiveness deals with the state of our sanctification at any given moment and is dispensed from a throne of divine grace.
So the forgiveness Christians are supposed to seek in their daily walk is not pardon from an angry Judge, but mercy from a grieved Father.
Some object to the idea that God could ever be displeased with His own children. They ask: Can our once-and-for-all forgiven sins ever provoke divine displeasure? The answer is a resounding "Yes." In fact, it is because of God’s righteous displeasure over your sin that He refuses to leave you the way you are–sinful.
In a very practical sense, God’s indignation over your daily sins demonstrates His love for you. That’s the thought of Hebrews 12:5-11 where some form of the word discipline is used seven times. Divine displeasure over your sin brings discipline, reproof, and scourging. That’s a good thing, not only because it helps rid your life of sin, but it also shows His love for you and confirms your relationship to Him–"those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives" (v. 6).
God’s discipline–sometimes involving punishment for disobedience–is painful; no one will argue with that. But you must remember: He is causing you to share in His holiness (v. 10); He is training you (v. 11); He is producing in you the "peaceful fruit of righteousness" (v. 11). So when you have sinned, humble yourself, confess your sin, and submit to His loving discipline.
Remorse over sin, daily confession, and a continual attitude of repentance are marks of a healthy Christian life. What’s the benefit? Look again at 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (italics added). Forgiveness and cleansing–those promises are as refreshing to the sinner as a cold drink of water to a thirsty man.
David testified to the power of confession in Psalm 32: "When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer…I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my sin to the Lord"; and You forgave the guilt of my sin" (vv. 4-5). The guilt of David’s sin affected him physically–he found relief only through full confession.
We’ve already discussed the difference between judicial and parental forgiveness–the latter is in view in 1 John 1:9. It is a subjective, relational kind of forgiveness. It is the restoration to a place of blessing in the eyes of a displeased father. Similarly, the cleansing of 1 John 1:9 doesn’t refer to regeneration. Rather, it is a spiritual washing to rid you of the defilement caused by sin in your daily walk. The verse is speaking of an ongoing pardon and purification from sin, not the cleansing and forgiveness of salvation.
The pardon of justification and the washing of regeneration do not eliminate the need for you to deal with the subjective reality of sin in your life. If you entertain such an idea, you will either be consumed by your guilt or you will steel yourself against the pangs of your conscience–either reaction will separate you from a loving Father.
Instead, keep confessing your sins; seek God’s forgiveness and cleansing daily. As the verse says, He is faithful to Himself to forgive your sins and He is just, having already made full atonement for your sins through the sacrifice of His beloved Son. When you confess your sins, you are restored by a loving Father who delights to shower the brokenhearted and repentant with His mercy and compassion.
John Macarthur is not just some mediocre article writer. He has spent more time in scripture than most people alive today. He knows the original languages , and (feel free to look this up) has spent at least 30-40 hours a week studying scripture for the passed 40+ years.
This is not a minority view I hold. Many Christians hold this view exactly as I do. The idea that you can look at an article written by a true man of God, who has studied, and toiled his whole life in the word of God, and just call it "false" without providing any scripture (you still have not) is not going to sway my opinion.
This scripture still does indicate that if we fail to confess the sin is unforgiven. It simply does not say that.
The topic does not involve saying you have no sin, the topic is the requirement of confession for forgiveness. 1 John 1:8-10 is speaking specifically about those who say "I have not sinned since I became a Christian" when it is taken in context.
I'm not saying I have no sin. I don't think anyone here is making that argument. That is what the topic of that verse is. See the very bottom of this post for further explanation.
I don't see anything in that scripture that indicates that confession is required for the forgiveness of that sin.
These scriptures further indicate that God will chasten you for your sins as a Christian, not Damn you.Regardless of confession. He will chasten you until you repent. These verses are clearly talking about people that God is chastening, as they are "sick" and not damned.
Beautiful scripture, but again I don't see it indicating that confession is required for the forgiveness of sin.
I have yet to see any specific piece of scripture that indicates this theology. I understand your view, and thank you for the scriptural references, but I do not feel they have indicated to me what you are saying.
No I would not go to bed fine. I would confess my sin if I had knowledge of it, and thank God for the opportunity. I also asked for scripture to back your view and have yet to be presented with any. None of the three scriptures you posted say anything about confession being required for forgiveness.
Notice exactly what you said is correct. God will chasten you for your sins as a Christian, not Damn you. We were saved from that by Jesus Christ and him alone. See above for my reply to using 1 John as an argument for this. Please also see the article I have posted at the bottom of this post. Thank you for your contribution to this thread.
Of course I would not continue on as I was. Please see the reply I leave in that thread specifically for that specific topic.
In Summary
I would just like to bring a few situations to light. Lets say you were somewhere, and you witnessed something that caused you to sin in your mind. Say a billboard that had some sort of risque advertisement, that you could not avoid seeing. Say you sin mentally from seeing this. Say you are then immediately hit by a car and die before a chance to confess. What then? Hell because you didn't have a chance to confess it?
Say you sin without knowing (there are many sins you could perform and not realize it right away). You then die before a chance to realize and confess the sin. God sends you to hell?
This theology that you are backing is largely held by the catholic church. This is EXACTLY why they have invented the idea of purgatory and prayers for the dead. That is exactly why, for just these scenarios I am discussing.
Now, would a Christian confess his or her sin if able? Absolutely. They will be driven and pulled and yanked by the spirit to do so and eventually they will. If a person hit's a moment of weakness and kills themselves, and they are a Christian who has taken away their opportunity to repent in this life, that sin is still covered by the blood of Christ.
Will this occurrence happen often? No. If ever at all. The point I am making is that a person does not go to hell for suicide because the sin goes unconfessed, they would go because that sin indicates they were never a Christian in the first place. I have not seen ANY scripture to back the claim that sins must be confessed to be forgiven. A true Christian will be driven to confess, and will as often as possible, but the idea that God would not forgive a sin we didn't realize, or a sin we didn't confess after living our lives as much for him as possible is not backed by any of the scriptures posted thus far.
I'll end with scriptures that indicate exactly how broad God's forgiveness is.
John 3-16
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
What is Salvation? Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone. There are no strings attached. Whoever believes in him is not condemned. A believer will be a new creation, and that creation will confess his/her sins, but if that creation for some reason misses one, doesn't realize one, NOTHING indicates ANYWHERE that that sin goes unforgiven.
I have been accused of not posting scripture to back my view. I already posted this so I'll go ahead and do it again.
Colossians 2:13-14
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
All trespasses. This is not somehow exclusive to sins we confess.
Ephesians 2:13
13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Near through the blood of Christ, not through the blood of Christ + confession.
I really don't think I need to go on. The New Testament CONSTANTLY talks about how sufficient Christ's sacrifice is for our reconciliation with God. Constantly. That is the theme of all 4 Gospels.
Finally
I will post another article to respond more clearly to ushalk and Teraside in their query of 1 John.
If We Confess Our Sins
by
John MacArthur
All Rights Reserved
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:9.
That is one of the first verses many new Christians memorize–and rightly so. It holds forth the comforting promise of forgiveness and cleansing for all of us who have struggled with guilt in this sin-stained world. Yet there are some today who, because they fail to comprehend the extent of divine forgiveness, deny the clear teaching of 1 John 1:9 and teach other to do the same. They say that to pray for forgiveness reveals unbelief. After all, a healthy Christian doesn’t experience guilt because he understands Christ’s total forgiveness. Why seek forgiveness when you already have it?
However, their guilt-free brand of Christianity not only burdens guilty people with more guilt, but also strips away the only means to alleviate the guilt of sin–confession. Rather than helping Christians draw near to God, they are reinforcing the barrier of sin that interrupts their relationship with God. But that’s not the end of the story.
The Bible clearly teaches that Christians should seek forgiveness. Consider this:
In each one of the penitential psalms (Pss. 6; 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143), the psalmist is demonstrating the heart of a justified believer when he seeks forgiveness. In each case the psalmist is already a believer, fully forgiven.
In the gospels, Christ taught believers to ask the Father to forgive their sins (Matt. 6:12; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4). Some of those to whom He spoke were already born again.
In 1 John 1, the verb tenses show that confession and forgiveness should be a continuous experience. Verse 7 literally reads, "The blood of Jesus His Son keeps cleansing us from all sin," and verse 9 likewise says, "If we are continually confessing our sins." Those to whom John wrote were already fully forgiven believers (cf. 5:13).
But the question remains: Why are you supposed to seek God’s forgiveness if He has already justified you? If justification takes care of sin past, present, and future, so there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom. 8:1), why pray for forgiveness? Aren’t you praying for something that is already yours?
The answer is that divine forgiveness has two aspects. One is the judicial forgiveness God grants as Judge. It’s the forgiveness God purchased for you by Christ’s atonement for your sin. That kind of forgiveness frees you from any threat of eternal condemnation. It is the forgiveness of justification. Such pardon is immediately complete–you’ll never need to seek it again.
The other is a parental forgiveness God grants as your Father. He is grieved when His children sin. The forgiveness of justification takes care of judicial guilt, but it does not nullify His fatherly displeasure over your sin. He chastens those whom He loves, for their good (Heb. 12:5-11).
Let me show you the difference:
Judicial forgiveness deals with sin’s penalty–parental forgiveness deals with sin’s consequences.
Judicial forgiveness frees us from the condemnation of the righteous, omniscient Judge whom we have wronged–parental forgiveness sets things right with a grieving and displeased but loving Father.
Judicial forgiveness provides an unshakeable standing before the throne of divine judgment–parental forgiveness deals with the state of our sanctification at any given moment and is dispensed from a throne of divine grace.
So the forgiveness Christians are supposed to seek in their daily walk is not pardon from an angry Judge, but mercy from a grieved Father.
Some object to the idea that God could ever be displeased with His own children. They ask: Can our once-and-for-all forgiven sins ever provoke divine displeasure? The answer is a resounding "Yes." In fact, it is because of God’s righteous displeasure over your sin that He refuses to leave you the way you are–sinful.
In a very practical sense, God’s indignation over your daily sins demonstrates His love for you. That’s the thought of Hebrews 12:5-11 where some form of the word discipline is used seven times. Divine displeasure over your sin brings discipline, reproof, and scourging. That’s a good thing, not only because it helps rid your life of sin, but it also shows His love for you and confirms your relationship to Him–"those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives" (v. 6).
God’s discipline–sometimes involving punishment for disobedience–is painful; no one will argue with that. But you must remember: He is causing you to share in His holiness (v. 10); He is training you (v. 11); He is producing in you the "peaceful fruit of righteousness" (v. 11). So when you have sinned, humble yourself, confess your sin, and submit to His loving discipline.
Remorse over sin, daily confession, and a continual attitude of repentance are marks of a healthy Christian life. What’s the benefit? Look again at 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (italics added). Forgiveness and cleansing–those promises are as refreshing to the sinner as a cold drink of water to a thirsty man.
David testified to the power of confession in Psalm 32: "When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer…I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my sin to the Lord"; and You forgave the guilt of my sin" (vv. 4-5). The guilt of David’s sin affected him physically–he found relief only through full confession.
We’ve already discussed the difference between judicial and parental forgiveness–the latter is in view in 1 John 1:9. It is a subjective, relational kind of forgiveness. It is the restoration to a place of blessing in the eyes of a displeased father. Similarly, the cleansing of 1 John 1:9 doesn’t refer to regeneration. Rather, it is a spiritual washing to rid you of the defilement caused by sin in your daily walk. The verse is speaking of an ongoing pardon and purification from sin, not the cleansing and forgiveness of salvation.
The pardon of justification and the washing of regeneration do not eliminate the need for you to deal with the subjective reality of sin in your life. If you entertain such an idea, you will either be consumed by your guilt or you will steel yourself against the pangs of your conscience–either reaction will separate you from a loving Father.
Instead, keep confessing your sins; seek God’s forgiveness and cleansing daily. As the verse says, He is faithful to Himself to forgive your sins and He is just, having already made full atonement for your sins through the sacrifice of His beloved Son. When you confess your sins, you are restored by a loving Father who delights to shower the brokenhearted and repentant with His mercy and compassion.
Faithful Son
Member
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If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:9
What does that scripture say then?
Your post is so long that frankly I get irritated with it, no offense to you. I can't respond to you in a normal manner, because you are talking to everyone at once.
Overload of information..........my system is crashing....lol,
God bless you brother. I read a piece of the John Mcarthur piece, but to comment on your first part, I agree he is a man of God and I've enjoyed reading some of his books, I can't remember the titles at present, but they were good.
proverbs 28:13- He that conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
there are many verses that tell us that we have to acknowledge our sins and repent of them. we often do not want to do this because of the shame and pride that we have as to what people will say or think of us. however the longer we wait the more sins we commit and the more away from the lord we become.
but the word of god is the word of god. we cant just read for what we want it to say. it does not work that way. we must repent and that is the way that it is.
there are many verses that tell us that we have to acknowledge our sins and repent of them. we often do not want to do this because of the shame and pride that we have as to what people will say or think of us. however the longer we wait the more sins we commit and the more away from the lord we become.
but the word of god is the word of god. we cant just read for what we want it to say. it does not work that way. we must repent and that is the way that it is.
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Good response brother. I think you pretty much nailed it on the head here with the Scripture quoted.
I'm curious brother jculver, when you sin do you not ask GOD for forgiveness? Do you go on as if your automatically forgiven without asking for it? What if your friend has done you wrong? Do you expect him or her to ask you for forgiveness or not? I would.
Are you going to tell me that you'll just show up in Heaven, face Jesus in His presence and not be concerned about all your sins that you did not ask for forgiveness for?
