Monday 6 October 2014

IS CONFESSION REDUNDANT?


Hyper-grace teaches us that, after our one-time confession of sin at conversion, believers no longer need to confess our sins. When God looks at us, all He is going to see is Christ’s blood, not our sins whether it is past, present or future. We merely rest in the ‘imputed righteousness of Christ’.

Is it true that sin need not be dealt with after conversion since we merely rest in the ‘imputed righteousness of Christ’?  Is it true that sin has been dealt with ‘once and for all’ at conversion and therefore we need not confess our sins anymore?

                                                                             
Is such a doctrine biblical? Can it stand the test of scriptures?

Let's examine the following seven references:

As a result of Philip’s ministry, Simon the sorcerer believed in Christ and was subsequently baptised (Acts 8:13). But when the fledgling believer offered money to Peter to obtain the power gifts of the Holy Spirit, Peter chided him: “Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22).

Many believers in Ephesus, when convicted by the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit, confessed their sins. They also paid a heavy price when they repented:Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars” (Acts 19:18-19).

The church at Laodicea was chided because they were lukewarm. They thought that they were rich but, in God’s eyes, they were wretched, pitiable, poor, naked and blind. Thus the angel delivered this rebuke: “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19).

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6: 14-15). (Why did Jesus bring up this matter of conditional forgiveness if the believer’s sin is no longer an issue?)

Paul had to pass judgment on the believer who committed incest (1 Corinthians 5:1-5). (If sin is no longer an issue for believers, why is there a need to deal with it seriously?).

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). (Why do believers still have to confess their sins if all their sins have been forgiven on the basis of imputed righteousness?)

Hyper-grace contends that the book of 1 John was written to Gnostics and not believers.
Is that so?
Please watch this arresting video before you make up your mind:
You can fast forward to 6.37 min to access that part on 1 John.

Now we can be sure after reviewing the above seven references and the video that there is no biblical basis for the hyper-grace teaching that after our one-time confession of sin at conversion, believers no longer need to confess our sins. 

What are the possible responses when we believers sense we have sinned?

  • Confess our sins.
  • Harden our heart.
  • Believe that the ‘sin issue’ is all behind us. We need not do anything but rest in the ‘imputed righteousness of Christ’.

Notice, out of the three responses, only the first restores our relationship with God and frees us from His judgment.

If we sin and the Holy Spirit convicts us that we have sinned, we should not ignore or suppress the voice of conscience but confess our sins (1 John 1:9) and repent (Acts 26:20).

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).

“Any message that doesn't give the full or complete Gospel is a false Gospel. This means not only Jesus saves but also about sin, damnation, and repentance. Without conviction of sin there is no repentance. Without repentance there is no salvation. Jesus took the punishment of our sin in our place on the cross. He rose from the grave to defeat death. The wages of sin is death and godly sorrow produces a repentance leading to salvation.” 
 David Whittlesey

RELATED POSTS

IS REPENTANCE MERELY CHANGING ONE’S MIND?
Some say that believers only need to change their mind (correct their past erroneous thinking) when they repent. Is this what the Bible teaches?

SHOULD WE BANISH SIN CONSCIOUSNESS?
Once we commit our lives to Christ, our sins are forgiven. We who have been set free from the power of sin should no longer feel condemned. To continue to dwell on our past sin would nullify Christ’s work at the cross because God has already declared us righteous in His eyes. 
That said, should believers completely get rid of sin consciousness in our lives? 

FUTURE SINS AUTOMATICALLY FORGIVEN?
Are the future sins of Christians automatically forgiven (FSAF)?

WILL TRUE GRACE PLEASE STAND UP?
False grace was exposed in a video in which Dr Michael Brown was being interviewed by Sid Roth. It's a clear, compelling, well-balanced, Word-based presentation. 

MOTHER OF ALL BATTLES
A clear understanding of the ongoing battle between the “old man” and “new man” is essential before we can walk in victory.

REPETITIVE SINNING
What fate awaits those who sin repeatedly after they have believed?

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