Commentary on "Walking in the Light: Turning Away From Sin"

GRACE CARLSON

 

Day 4: Tuesday, July 14, 2009

 

Overview

In Tuesday's lesson, the author discusses our response to sin. He describes sin as something that separates us from God, and explains that this separation leads to spiritual death. He further expands on this and says that sin, in the singular, separates us from God, and sins, in the plural, point to sinful acts. Both views show that sin is real, and will destroy us if we don't deal with it.

The author goes on to discuss the importance of confessing our sins, and how forgiveness of sins is only possible through Christ's death. The author concludes by saying, "We should lay our sins before God, and He will forgive us and purify us. Sinning makes us guilty; we need forgiveness. Sin makes us unclean; we need purification. Through Jesus, God has made a way for us to have both."

 

Problems

Once again, while I have no problem with what the author says in the lesson about how confession relates to forgiveness of sins, it is important to understand exactly what complete forgiveness actually means.

Consider these two questions: 1) What happens if one sins, and then dies before he/she has the opportunity to confess that sin before God? 2) What happens if one sins, and does not realize it or forgets to confess it to God?

The key to knowing how to answer these two questions is to understand where we stand "positionally" when we confess our sins, and where we stand day to day "relationally" when we confess our sins.

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, all of our sins are forgiven: past, present, and future. Jesus paid the price for ALL of our sins, and when they are forgiven, it is done. The moment we receive Christ as our Savior, our "position" changes. Sin no longer keeps us in the domain of darkness. We are alive in Christ and belong to Him.

Note the following verses:

"Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you." (Acts 13:38)

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

"And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

If our sins are completely forgiven the moment we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then what is meant by 1 John 1:9 which implies that forgiveness of sins is dependent on whether we confess them or not, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"?

Ephesians 4:30 states that when we sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit and offend God. While God has forgiven us of our sins past, present, and future, and has “positionally” changed us in the spiritual realm, sin can still hinder our daily walk with God. While our salvation is secure, the sin, and consequences of those sins, still affects our relationship and closeness with God. In order to grow in Christ, we must confess our sins to our Lord, admit where we were wrong, and submit that area of weakness and vulnerability to God for healing and forgiveness.

Scripture promises that God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. As believers, we can trust that God has paid the price of our sins with His blood, and we are forgiven. We do not confess our sins daily to maintain our salvation, but rather to admit our wrongs before our Father in Heaven so that we can have close fellowship with God without any hindrances in our lives.

 

Summary

1. Confession of our sins is essential for forgiveness of sins to occur.
2. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He forgives all of our sins: past, present, and future.
3. Our growth as believers (not the same as "maintaining" our salvation) is dependent upon our surrender and confession of our sins that hinder us from a full relationship with Christ.

 

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