It is my experience that indwelt Christians need to repent often by admitting to God, through Christ, of each of our selfish decisions that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.
Remember, New Covenant repentance is not begging for Christ's forgiveness; it IS claiming existing forgiveness from the inside out. Let's all start the new year by proclaiming the TRUTH of what already is.
Our enemy is a masterful deceiver. Those followers of Christ are deludedly doing religion as evidence of their salvation. This is my spiritual mission; to help those in holy discontents reach their true self by accepting the indwelling Christ as their Master, becoming spiritual slaves to Yeshua.
God is not obliged to forgive us if we demand he does so. Such an attitude is self righteousness, not humility.
"for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
We must ask God in a humble and repentant spirit for forgiveness:
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
(Luke 18:9-14)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.
(1Jn 1:8-10)
We must confess our sins to God and he will forgive us.
This is not 'claiming' forgiveness but asking for it, in a humble and contrite manner.
I certainly get your point. During the Gospels, Jesus was setting the stage for the final work of the Cross. Thus, asking for forgiveness was entirely appropriate. After Jesus conducted the final work of the Cross, forgiveness was fully realized and became a conquered event. Since that time, believers indeed should acknowledge their sins, grieve over them, and appeal to the Life of Christ from within to appropriate the final work of the Cross. However, those who have not YET received the Life of Christ must ask for forgiveness of sins to enter eternal Life.
As for indwelt believers, it is simply aligning oneself with the purpose of Jesus going to the Cross. All believers should confess their sins! However, due to His actions on the Cross - it is an act of realigning oneself with a past event that extends into the present and beyond. Thus, I teach believers to say, "Thank you for Your forgiveness" AFTER they confess their sins.
Remember, New Covenant repentance is not begging for Christ's forgiveness; it IS claiming existing forgiveness from the inside out. Let's all start the new year by proclaiming the TRUTH of what already is.
Thank you! This was on my mind this morning🙏🙏.
Our enemy is a masterful deceiver. Those followers of Christ are deludedly doing religion as evidence of their salvation. This is my spiritual mission; to help those in holy discontents reach their true self by accepting the indwelling Christ as their Master, becoming spiritual slaves to Yeshua.
No joke. Well said, Geoff.
God is not obliged to forgive us if we demand he does so. Such an attitude is self righteousness, not humility.
"for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
We must ask God in a humble and repentant spirit for forgiveness:
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
(Luke 18:9-14)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.
(1Jn 1:8-10)
We must confess our sins to God and he will forgive us.
This is not 'claiming' forgiveness but asking for it, in a humble and contrite manner.
I certainly get your point. During the Gospels, Jesus was setting the stage for the final work of the Cross. Thus, asking for forgiveness was entirely appropriate. After Jesus conducted the final work of the Cross, forgiveness was fully realized and became a conquered event. Since that time, believers indeed should acknowledge their sins, grieve over them, and appeal to the Life of Christ from within to appropriate the final work of the Cross. However, those who have not YET received the Life of Christ must ask for forgiveness of sins to enter eternal Life.
As for indwelt believers, it is simply aligning oneself with the purpose of Jesus going to the Cross. All believers should confess their sins! However, due to His actions on the Cross - it is an act of realigning oneself with a past event that extends into the present and beyond. Thus, I teach believers to say, "Thank you for Your forgiveness" AFTER they confess their sins.
Really good message.