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962. The Things We Do for Love

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This week, we take a look back at some of the things we were coaxed into thinking and doing as it was being fed to us through our legalistic religious surroundings and misunderstandings ... as we strived to do whatever we thought was necessary to make sure we were in "God's good graces." After all, we were told of the risks of potentially losing fellowship with God (although the specifics were mysteriously missing in the fine print). Do more. Pray more. We thought that maybe "more" would be enough. Maybe.

You may be able to relate to our experiences a little bit, because sadly, many believers in Christ have been in a consistent state of panic—wondering whether they are still loved by God or still accepted because of things they have done. They begin to feel a false sense of contamination—and then condemnation— and will attempt to get their compass pointed in the right direction by doing things to make up for it. Their "faith" or belief becomes centered around their dedication and commitment to God instead of what God has already done for us through His Son. There will be no need for us to graduate by earning a spiritual senior discount when we begin to understand the things that have already been freely given to us by God.



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952. Fleeing From Falling into the Forlorn Futility of Frequent Forgiveness

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When we talk about the once-for-all forgiveness found in the one sacrifice through the blood of Jesus, we'll often notice a variety of spiritual muscle spasms from those who had a (1) particular Bible verse taken out of context and pounded into them for many years, found in 1 John 1:9.

Considering what we have covered in recent programs about forgiveness, how does this mesh with what we find in other passages? Was John really talking to believers to encourage them to remember to confess each individual sin ... sins that God declared He would no longer remember inside of a new and better covenant? And if that were true, where would it leave a person if they didn't confess every wrongdoing? Can we walk in and out of fellowship with God while consistently going back and forth between abiding in the light or darkness? Is it confession or blood that causes us to receive forgiveness?

One more question that absolutely needs to be answered within our hearts: Is the forgiveness of sins from God dependent upon you or something you do ... or is it the result of a Savior who bled, died and rose one time? Let's get some answers with a consistent context that will help make people truly free indeed.



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842. The Bondage of Seeking Repeated Forgiveness From God (Part 2)

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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.



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678. 1 John 1:9 (Part 2) Contrasting Chapter 1 (Unbelievers) with Chapter 2 (Believers)

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Understanding the context leading up to 1 John 1:9 will help us from falling into doctrinal traps which contradict other Scriptures on the subject of God’s completed work of forgiveness. Many passages and verses explain how we’ve already been forgiven by God through the blood of the cross. But regardless of how many good news verses are submitted, misguided teaching has caused believers to trip over this one, single verse:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NASB).

Compare the language between Chapter One vs. Chapter Two. John’s conversation in the first chapter is attempting to convince unbelievers that Jesus was manifested and came in the flesh. He is speaking to people with whom he doesn’t have fellowship or a joy that is complete regarding them. These were people who denied they had a sin problem and walked in darkness. They were liars who made God out to be a liar. Using John’s own words, they did not have the truth nor God’s word in them. Remember, believers in Christ are declared to be in the light, and have God’s word and truth in them (these identify Christ in us).

Other NT epistles address believers at the beginning. John made an exception and didn’t do that with this letter in chapter 1, but he does in chapter 2. Here we begin to see where he identifies his audience for the rest of the letter (believers). Notice the differences in language from his opening chapter… these were people who have been forgiven, who know God and have overcome, they had the word of God abiding in them, they knew the truth and had an anointing from the holy one which abided in them. John warned them of the deceivers - those who denied God by not confessing the Son. This is referring back to what he wrote in 1 John 1:9 and reveals the true purpose of his statement… not a confession of every individual sin but a confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. When one confesses the sin problem, they confess need for the Savior. It results in receiving salvation and forgiveness.



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677. 1 John 1:9 (Part 1) Was John Addressing Believers or Unbelievers?

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Regardless of your Christian background, there is a good chance the Bible verse that you've heard quoted or used more than any other is 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” (NASB). Generally, “the Christian religion” has put a spotlight on this verse by jumping to the conclusion that believers in Christ should continue to apologize to God by confessing every sinful thought or action in order to remain in God’s perfect way of forgiveness. As they see it, failing to do so will result in having unforgiven sin in your life and put a strain on your fellowship with God. It’s as though God’s grace and the finished work of the cross are set aside on the shelf, as you are burdened with trying to confess what God declared He remembers no more and is not counting against us in this New Covenant.

Here’s the crux of the problem: Legalistic religion has made the false assumption John was writing to believers in his first chapter of this letter, thereby leaving Christians to try and come up with ways to make this passage relevant to the Christian life. This week, we’ll begin to address why this entire first chapter was a rare exception within the epistles of the New Testament - where the writer was addressing unbelievers instead of believers.*

*This will be a multi-part series that will unfold more clearly over several weeks.



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Enjoy Full Fellowship With God Through Your Life In Christ

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“For you have have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

This is truth too marvelous for the common mind to grasp quickly. It often escapes us, as we continue to live as if we are primarily people of the natural world, the fallen world. We are so accustomed to defining our reality by familiar feelings, that we tend to put such truth off into a category that we label "spiritual," by which we really mean not practical or not now. It is so easy to buy into the lie that we have to wait until heaven to enjoy full fellowship with God Himself.

The fact is that the new order has invaded the old. The new consists of Jesus, our forerunner and ultimate representative in obtaining the blessing that God has always intended for his people. He has so identified with us that (in a certain sense) His past is ours, if we are of His people. His future is ours. In the present His life is ours. One day every creature in every sphere of existence will see the full manifestation of what is now hidden in God.

For now it is somewhat hidden. But being hidden doesn't mean it is not available. We are "in Christ." What is true of His life is true of ours -- not that we are infinite and eternal, as only God can be, but that sin has been condemned in His flesh. In Him, wrath has been expended upon sin. Death has been conquered. Authority has been granted. Satan has been defeated.

Circumstances can no longer define the person who knows that he “has died” to this world, and also knows where his life is hidden. He lives in an inexhaustible resource of love.

This is a truth that we must seek and pursue! It is too grand to grasp with casual attention. We must think true thoughts instead of flowing along with old patterns, old ways thinking. We must refuse to substitute regulations and ritual for joyful fellowship. We must remember, remind and repeat the majesty of this great truth.

So, if all that we are is not yet visible to the gawking world, it is because our life is hidden with Christ in God. It is too precious to be marketed or bartered. It will prove to produce a kind of life that causes the genuinely curious to seek out what's going on there. One cannot live in such intimacy with God without being fundamentally transformed.

Consider what God has done in Jesus Christ. His love has been fully expressed in this great gift of the Son. Taste this love. It satisfies fully.

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