A few weeks ago, we asked our listeners to respond with comments to this:
Name something that completely changed things for you when coming from a traditional or legalistic-based religious mindset compared to a greater knowledge of the gospel of grace. For those who have experienced such a journey, the differences are nothing short of amazing (and exciting). There is a good chance you have had similar experiences you'll find very relatable.
This week includes the topics of:
-Thinking everything you have ever done will be played back on a big screen for all to see (probably in 4K technology).
-The topic of fasting and whether it should be considered as a required mandate.
-"Keep a short account with God." Including the worry of not having confessed sins or continually feeling the need to ask God for more forgiveness.
-Being "all in" by fully committing to participating in the many church ministries and activities.
Our conversation this week starts out with reflecting on the transition of experiencing the truth of the gospel of grace and how it is so radically different from typical teachings within the corporate church world. It really begins within the heart of a person as God reveals it, and then the mind and understanding begin to pick up on it.
On a related note, we also follow-up from our previous program about the tremendous misunderstandings regarding a Bible verse that appears to be saying that believers need to continually confess all of their sins in order to be forgiven (again) and cleansed from all unrighteousness (again). It’s a faulty doctrine that doesn’t add up with the many writings of Paul and it has kept people in chains. So who was John talking to in this specific passage and what was he really saying?
In case you missed it last week, Joel referenced a recent blog post he'd written on this subject, which can be found here, along with an older blog post series he'd written, which can be found here.
Once in a great while, we like the “rush” of recording a program without discussing what we’ll talk about ahead of time. This week, we just opened the microphones, and both talked about something randomly on our minds.
Kap: How many times is the Greek word for “gospel” found in the New Testament? And where is it most often found? What may surprise you is the books where it is seldom found or does not appear at all.
Joel: Examining the misunderstandings of “sin confession” from the book of 1 John and some little-known history behind the people John was addressing in the first chapter of his letter. Joel referenced a blog post he had written on this subject, which can be found here. Also, an older blog post series he'd written can be found here.
Traditional Christianity has largely taught people to develop a consciousness (or constant awareness) of sin and sinful behavior. When one falls or fails, they have been programmed by empty religion to confess their wrongdoing and seek/beg God for forgiveness yet one more time, vowing to try harder never to do it again. This is like a dark shadow of the obsolete Old Covenant, where there was no escape from such a bondage.
Jesus flipped the Script and was able to free people from a sin consciousness and bring eternal redemption and forgiveness “for all time” through one finished sacrifice. This resulted in no condemnation for anyone who is in Christ Jesus. What a victory for us to learn more about and to grow in our understanding. What about the challenges with the flesh? We talk about it on this week’s program.
Taking a single Bible verse out of the proper context can have a negative impact in the minds of well-meaning people seeking the truth. Perhaps this is nearly unrivaled when it comes to 1 John 1:9—where it has been interpreted by many that there is a requirement to keep “confessing” all of your sins to be forgiven or for you to remain forgiven. But who was John speaking to in this first chapter? Believers or those who did not believe?
How does this (false) assumption compare to statements made by Paul and the letter to the Hebrews? How does it compare to things John would say in the very next chapter and near the end of his letter? And just exactly what does confession really mean? We’re following up on last week’s program about the finality of God’s forgiveness through the blood of Jesus and His one (1) sacrifice that addressed the sin issue, once for all.
Without blood being shed, forgiveness from God was not extended. Even long before the Mosaic law, sin resulted in the repeated sacrifices of innocent animals where the sins were transferred onto the animal. Seeking a renewed forgiveness from God was ongoing. Then the master plan was put into motion and Jesus happened … and offered one (1) sacrifice as the perfect lamb of God. His blood did what had never happened before by any other sacrifice … it took sins away.
But today the religious community has taught that we need to confess all of our sins to be forgiven (again and again). The only thing missing is the bloody beast to go with it. What happens if you don’t confess every single sin? What if you died with an unconfessed or “unforgiven” sin still hanging over your head? Can you see the impossible requirement with that? This misleading mindset leads to fear and bondage, ignorant of the power of the finished work of the cross. If you think God will forgive you every time you ask or if you express sorrow for your sins, we have even better news for you.
As we reflect on the benchmark of more than 800 podcasts, one of the topics we’ve spent some time on is the misunderstanding of thinking believers need to continuously ask God for a renewed forgiveness. The concept comes from a single Bible verse that often misses the context surrounding it. Thinking that one needs to keeping seeking more forgiveness for each individual sin by repeatedly asking God to extend another round again—it diminishes the power of the blood of Jesus and His finished work. And you won’t be able to confess every single wrongful thought and action, leaving you to wonder where you stand with God and whether you are truly forgiven. The gospel reveals that we already are forgiven in Him by the blood of Jesus, through one sacrifice. This brings us into a place of peace and rest, and frees us to forgive others.
We've talked about this many times in the past here on the Growing in Grace podcast. Here are a couple of those times, if you want to explore this a little more:
A six-part series on 1 John 1:9 begins here (click on Newer Post at the bottom left of each post to get to each of the six parts), and a single episode that we did as part of a series called "Born Identity" can be found here.
This is the third and final anniversary program as Mike and Joel reminisce about doing the podcast for the past 15 years. The discussion includes some of the “favorite” subjects that have been foundational to the program and how gaining an understanding of them will help free people from religious bondage.
Also, you can search for topics on the Growing in Grace website. Growing in Grace is not a donation-based or listener-supported ministry but is supported by listeners sharing the good news with others.
This is the sixth and final program from our recent series on the Bible verse of 1 John 1:9. We summarize with the conclusion that the Apostle John was not instructing believers in Jesus Christ to continually confess all of their sins to God in order to receive a fresh forgiveness every time they commit a wrongful thought or action. If repeated forgiveness were still needed from God for each sin, Jesus would have had to offer Himself repeatedly with the shedding of more blood. As we begin to see that John was addressing unbelieving people in the first chapter of 1 John - and then continue reading the other four chapters written to believers - we’ll begin to see the bigger point John is making… a confession of Jesus Christ.
To acknowledge a sinful condition leads (unbelieving) people to realize we have all fallen short of God’s perfect standard and have need of a Savior. His blood has brought forgiveness and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (once for all). Confessing the Son - the Word of Life - allows us to receive His life through belief, resulting in salvation and righteousness. It results in us abiding in Him; but to deny the Son is to deny God. As people who have been born of God, perfect love has guaranteed our forgiveness in Him is certain and we can now have boldness in the day of judgement… “because as He is so also are we in this world.”
There may be dozens of passages contained in New Covenant writings from the apostles about God’s permanent forgiveness that came through the cross of Christ, but frequently they are resisted by people who will stumble over a single “verse” which may appear to contradict the good news. 1 John 1:9 is just one example when it is not understood in the proper context with the rest of the gospel. When this scenario occurs, we should compare the verse in question and consider why it isn’t lining up with the other passages. After all, we’re growing in our understanding of God’s grace and the powerful message of the gospel.
Other examples include the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus was hammering the Mosaic law to Jewish people. Here He told them they would not be forgiven unless they first forgave others. How does that match up with the cross? It doesn’t. The “sermon” was not the gospel because there was no blood in it. That statement by Jesus was completely contrary to what the Apostle Paul stated on more than one occasion about our forgiveness after the cross (because two different covenants were being ministered between Jesus and Paul). Jesus was pointing out their inability to attain righteousness and forgiveness by what they do.
People will often say, “the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins.” In context, Jesus said the Spirit would convict the world of sin “because they do not believe in me.” Unbelievers need to understand the sin problem they were born into and why a Savior is needed. But Jesus said the Spirit would convict believers of righteousness. That’s who we are in Him… the righteousness of God, cleansed and perfected by His blood… no longer seeking His forgiveness over and over but living in it as we’re renewed day by day through the very life of God within us.
