We must never turn repentance or confession into “Works”
I am amazed how many people who claim to teach grace miss a crucial point. Often or not they use repentance or confession as a bar of soap. They teach that we need to make ourselves clean by repenting all of our sins…
Here is an example of what is very “accepted” and “taught” by people who think they are being “biblical”.
“Requirements:1. Prayer and fasting. You will be expected to do both the day before an event.
2. Holiness of life. You will be expected to confess all sin and get rid of it before an event.
3. Preach and witness at least once a week. Week days and Saturdays we will go to the skateboard park, other parks, bars, gathering places, etc. There we will preach repentance and grace to unbelievers with boldness. On Sundays we will preach repentance to church goers in the parking lots of Billings churches.”
Take a look at number 2… He has turned confession of sin into works... and while doing that, denies the finished works of Christ Jesus at the Cross.
The blood of Jesus is precious to God… and if it is precious to God it must be precious to us also. Without the Blood of Jesus we are not justified and being justified we are in right standing with Jesus… by His precious spilt Blood. (Romans 5) We need to see our confession in light of the Blood of Jesus.
To we cleans ourselves by confession is not at all what the bible teaches confession is about. The New Covenant is by the Blood of Jesus. Ephesians 1:7-8 states “In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
Many seem to think that forgiveness comes from their own confession… and that is a lie… it would them be works for anything done would be wages if our confession cleansed us of our sin. It is only by the blood of Jesus we are cleansed and have redemption… and most of all by this same Blood we have forgiveness of sins.
The error is that one bases their faith on “feelings” instead of the truth of God’s word… (That should shock you that think I do not believe in truth as I have never said I do not believe in truth). If one “feels” badly after they fell into sin, (as one should) to think that if all they need to do is confess it to be forgiven misses what forgiveness truly is! I have heard sermon after sermon on God sovereignty, and then hear them tell people they need to confess sins to be forgiven… it is like they think God is surprised that we sin. Some teach without even realizing it that when we confess God then will forgive us as if what we do forces God to do something. The problem is God has already forgiven us at the Cross.
Confession is agreement with God that He is right! It is accepting that our righteousness totally depends on the works of God through Christ Jesus. It is acknowledging we stand forgiven and in faith despite all our feelings that we can thankfully and boldly go before God because we are covered by the Blood of Jesus!
Some say that I teach against repentance and confession, I do not…. I teach it in the proper relationship with the Blood of Jesus. 2 Peter 1: 3-4 is clear as what we receive in Christ Jesus through His Blood.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
I have accused of teaching against holiness which is laughable to say the least. I teach that as one walks in Christ He will not fulfill the lust of the flesh… and that we are not given a license to sin, but the freedom to not sin and walk in a loving relationship with our creator!
Many need to study out the Blood of Jesus more to see what they have received in Christ. He has truly given us everything we need for life and godliness… This was made possible by the blood and resurrection of Jesus.
To turn confession into a bar of soap cheapens the Cross and nullifies the Blood of Jesus nullifies it as we are then depending on our own works to cleans our sins. When we sin we have an advocate Who stands before the throne night and day (1 John 2:1). We can depend on our own confession for forgiveness or trust in Jesus as having forgave us at the cross and walk in that forgiveness knowing that Jesus is praying for us on our behalf. 1 John 2:2 Is the truth to the error that is taught in using confession wrongly, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” We can either believe it or deny it.”
Blessings,
iggy
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