Something to consider about receiving your healing

He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed. Isaiah 53:3-5

In our last post I endeavored to answer an objection to healing in the finished work of Christ. I believe I clearly articulated the answer with love, compassion and a strong foundation of faith and the Word of God. As I write today I sense a strong leading in my spirit to share one important truth for your consideration and blessing. I believe this will empower you to embrace His finished work for your life.

Though it is absolute truth that the experiences of others are not what we base our receiving upon, this doesn't, however, translate into a lack of understanding or compassion for others. I want to pause and send you this blessing straight from our Father's heart. In times past it would be easy to just dismiss others who haven't yet received their healing. It has been stated that because there is nothing wrong with God and nothing faulty with the Word, then there must be something wrong with you. I want you to reject the premise that something is always wrong with you.

Because of the finished work of Christ we have been placed into a position of victory. This winner's circle has nothing whatsoever to do with our achievements or efforts. This is all to do with what Christ did for us on that cross. We have been made complete in Him.

so you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ. He is the highest Ruler, with authority over every other power. Colossians 2:10 TLB

We have all victory and wholeness by Him. He purchased it for us. We have all things that pertain to life and Godliness through Him. All these things are within us already. I'll say it again we are complete and whole in Him.

Now what has this to do with you? What has this to do with your receiving from Him? It's this. We were made righteous and perfect within when we accepted The Lord Jesus in our hearts and received His finished work in our lives. This means there is nothing whatsoever wrong with God. This means there is no faultiness within the Word of God. This also means, praise God, that because of the blood and finished work of Christ there is nothing wrong with you! 

Remember this is a New Covenant. In the Old Covenant God made covenant between Himself and man. Of course man could not perfectly keep it. So what the Father did in the New was make covenant between Himself and The Lord Jesus Christ. We are the beneficiaries of this New Covenant. That is why this is not about our performance but rather it is all based upon Christ's perfect performance. Now rest in this blessing and rest in His finished work and receive your healing and wholeness that Christ's perfect work already appropriated for you.

I pray this post has blessed you in your time of need and encouraged you in your walk with the Lord. May His richest and best be yours. As always comments are welcomed and don't forget to sign up via email so you won't miss any new post. 

...Coming soon... Answering more objections to healing, you won't want to miss it...

Grace provides a full supply! (2 of 2)

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.  John 1:16-17 NLT


We are in a two part series on the supply of God's grace. We saw in the last post that God has made for us a new and living way to enter in. We saw that we don't come to the Father to receive based on Old Covenant methods. Meaning, we don't come before our Father attempting to receive from Him based upon our merits, or our performance. 

We saw that by Christ once for all time sacrifice we can now come to God freely. We also saw that we can never by our actions place God in a place of obligation to "do" for us. His finished work provided for all we will ever need. So we rest in this finished work. Because of this finished work we also are free from the demands of the law.

One great truth in grace is this simple phrase. Law demands but grace supplies. You see the Law just gave commands but supplied no ability to fulfill them. For instance, the Law demands that we not commit infidelity. That is the standard, this is a perfect standard, meaning don't even look upon another as God counts this as adultery. As perfect a standard as this is notice it is missing one element. It never stated thou shalt love thy husband/wife. The Law can't supply that love. Only grace can.

Grace supplies us. Let's look at some examples of supply and demand.

                      Forgive or you won't be forgiven?                                   

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”Mark 11:26

These are the words of Jesus. Is this true for us today? If we don't forgive we aren't forgiven? Let's look at some New Covenant Scripture to gain more understanding.

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses Colossians 2:13  

I thought if we didn't forgive others our trespasses wouldn't be forgiven? It states here clearly that all our trespasses are already forgiven because of the finished work. Is this a contradiction? Yes, it is! The Old Covenant demands and New Covenant supply do contradict each other to some degree because it's a completely different system. So does this mean we no longer need to forgive others? What else does this New Covenant say about this?

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

See how grace supplies versus the demands of the Law? It is because we have been forgiven, we can now forgive others.

Love the Lord and your neighbor

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39

We must love the Lord and love our neighbor. You see the demand? Yet where is the supply? The Law puts the burden of the supply on our human strength and effort. Let's see the supply of this demand in the New Covenant.

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 

1 John 4:10-11 

See the supply of grace? It's no longer love God and others. Under grace God first loved us, pouring this love on us and in us and because of this supply we now can love others. 

Without holiness?

For I, the Lord, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy. Leviticus 11:45

This is the demand. Be holy. It is again placing the demand upon our actions. Where is the supply for this? Again, it is found in grace.

He then says, See, I have come to do Your will. He takes away the first to establish the second. By this will of God, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all. Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins.  But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until His enemies are made His footstool.  For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10:9-14                                                                                This is the supply of grace. He has made us holy by the finished work. Because we are already made holy we now walk in holiness. See how beautiful this grace is? It fully supplies all the demands of the Law.

I pray this word encouraged your walk with the Lord. Rest in His finished work. He has completed the work. All actions on our part on now rooted in His gracious supply. As always thanks for taking the time to read. Pray blessings on you. Consider sharing with others if this has blessed you. 







image courtesy of arztsamui/courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
image couresy of Salvatore Vuono'/ courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Understanding the clear message of grace (Pt 5 of 5)

I was so filled with joy to hear stories about your children walking in truth, in the very way the Father called us to live. 2 John 4

Anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God. But whoever stays with the teaching, stays faithful to both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9 Message

Removing the error from the true and real

We've been in a five part series entitled "Will the real gospel of grace please stand up." In this series we've discovered what grace is not. Grace is not Universalism or Inclusionism (future or historic). Grace doesn't mean we should spout off curse words to prove how "free" we are. Grace also doesn't mean we no longer need the five fold ministry gifts or the local church. So now that we understand what grace is not, lets discover what the gospel of grace is!

1.) Grace defined is unearned, unmerited favor. Its Father God's extension toward us in blessing and love

Grace is not simply an empowerment. Many have attributed this definition to grace. The Greek word for grace is Charis. It literally means kindness and favor. Digging deeper in the Greek and the related Hebrew word Khane we discover grace also means dispose to show favor and blessing. To simply define grace as empowerment can lead one to believe that performance and works are still required to "earn" God's acceptance. Grace then gives you the ability to complete all these "duties". 

Nothing could be further from the truth. Our Father's extension to us in blessing and favor apart from our works or performance or self efforts produces an empowerment in our life.  So what is grace? It is God being disposed to show favor and love and kindness to His children apart from their own efforts or works or performance. 

2.) Grace means ALL our sins are forever forgiven

When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we partake of His finished work on the cross. We receive the complete forgiveness He purchased for us. One major question many ask is, 

"Does this mean only my past sins are forever forgiven?"

No! This perfect finished work paid the eternal price for ALL our sins! He has forgiven us our past and present and future sins. If this only covered our past what would we do about our current sins? 

Does Jesus need to come down and die again and again each time we sin after we are born again? Of course not! Jesus paid for all sin once for all time with His one time sacrifice on the cross.

Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:11-12

Jesus paid for our past sins and failures. Jesus blood was a more than enough payment that also paid the complete price for our current mess ups and sins and even our future failures! The Word of God is clear. He has forgiven us all our sins.

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, Colossians 2:13

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32

I write to you, little children Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 1 John 2:12

This sounds too good to be true. All our sins? All of them? Allow me to give you a word picture. 

When I was a young man I accompanied my mother to a parade in my home town. We stood street level and we couldn't see the whole parade. We might have seen two or three floats down either side of us. Of course we clearly saw the float directly in front of us. No matter how hard we tried we couldn't see it all. We couldn't see it from beginning to end. All that was visible was what was near. Is this how Jesus sees our life? Only our past mess ups and failures? 

Allow me to complete this word picture. With a desire to see more of the parade, we ventured to the top floor of an open building. From this vantage point we were able to see the whole parade. From start to finish. The whole procession was clearly visible. This is how Jesus sees our life when we come to Him and receive His free gift of salvation.  

Jesus like this rooftop view sees all our lifetime. From our first breath to our last. When we accept Him, He receives us, all of us, our whole lifetime. So when I came to Him and surrendered my heart to Him, He saw my whole life of sins. Even the ones I hadn't committed yet. He forgave me of ALL my sins. So now I am completely forgiven. My past and present and future is cleansed by the blood. This is grace. Undeserved, unearned, unmerited favor and love.

3.) Grace provided a way so that we are now perfectly accepted and in right standing with God

to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6

We have been perfectly accepted by His blood. Grace made the way for us to be completely acceptable by our God and Father. We are loved. We are accepted. We have perfect relationship with our Father through His grace. Through this grace we also received His righteousness. 

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

The great exchange. He became something He never was so we could be something we never were. Now we are in perfect right standing with our Father. No longer plagued by guilt and shame we can come boldly into His presence. We received His righteousness. We traded our sin for His right standing with the Father. If it is Jesus’ righteousness and not our own we received then we are just as righteous as Jesus Christ! 

4.) Grace brings security to all those truly in Christ

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Grace is proof enough that our salvation is not based upon our ability or efforts to "remain" saved. We could never perform enough to earn God's favor. No amount of good works brought us close enough to meeting God's standards. His standards are absolute perfection. The alarming truth is that His standards of perfection have never changed. Even after we are born again. This is why grace is the essential element of our salvation.

Consider this. When we were unsaved and unrighteous before the Lord, what amount of effort could make us righteous? Could any one righteous act remove our unrighteousness? Was there any amount of giving or feeding the homeless that would've removed our shame and sin? Of course not. 

We received the New Birth and the free gift of righteousness by the grace of God through faith. So now that we have received His free gift of righteousness, what makes us believe one act of unrighteousness removes our right standing before the Lord? In other words our conduct didn't get us into God's family. So our conduct won't get us out of God's family. Now, of course I'm not advocating living in sin. Sin harms us and others and can lead to natural consequences and bring about corrupting influence on our minds. Christ reminds us He has better for us. He continually reveals who we already are in Him through the new birth. We are eternally secure in Him. This is the glad news of the finished work of Jesus Christ. 

But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.  He is now waiting until His enemies are made His footstool.  For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10:12-14

It states clearly we are perfected forever by the finished work of Christ. It doesn't state we are perfected only until we blow it. We are secure in Christ Jesus. This is all because of the grace of Almighty God.

In summation we can rejoice in the good gospel news of Jesus' grace. His grace supplies us with all we will ever need to fulfill all the will of God for our lives. Grace is super abounding good news. There is no need to try and alter clear Scripture. There is no need for making up strange doctrines to come up with a "new thing". His grace is our sufficiency. 

I pray this series has blessed you. Stay tuned as we go into more detail in future posts concerning eternal security, the supply of grace and our sonship. Please consider sharing if this blog post has blessed you. As always feedback is welcomed. Grace to you all.

"Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net."

Will The Real Gospel of GRACE Please Stand Up?

Let grace, mercy, and peace be with us in truth and love from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, Son of the Father! I can’t tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father. But permit me a reminder, friends, and this is not a new commandment but simply a repetition of our original and basic charter: that we love each other. Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed. There are a lot of smooth-talking charlatans loose in the world who refuse to believe that Jesus Christ was truly human, a flesh-and-blood human being. Give them their true title: Deceiver! Antichrist! And be very careful around them so you don’t lose out on what we’ve worked so diligently in together; I want you to get every reward you have coming to you. Anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God. But whoever stays with the teaching, stays faithful to both the Father and the Son. 
2 John 3-9 Message

  It is a joy to write to you this day. I want to explore the gospel of grace with you. I want to take you on a journey of self discovery of what you actually believe. Upon the conclusion of this series my desire is that you would analyze your own heart and mind and locate your own beliefs and why you believe them. You know Ive heard a particular phrase stated many times throughout my lifetime. It is a simple phrase. It says this, if we stand for nothing then we will fall for anything.  Let me make my intentions clear to you in writing today.

 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 3-4

Here is this same passage in another translation 

 Friends, I have been trying to write you about our common salvation. But these days my heart is troubled, and I am compelled to write to you and encourage you to continue struggling for the faith that was entrusted to the saints once and for all. Vile men have slithered in among us. Depraved souls who stand condemned have made a mockery of the grace given to us, using it as a pretext for a life of excess, lived without any thought of God. These poor fools have denied Jesus the Anointed, our one Lord and Master.
Jude 3-4

  We are told here to contend for the truth. If we want to experience greater peace and joy from the revelation of God's immeasurable love and grace we must stay within the truth of God's Word. The Word states many times we are to rejoice in the truth. So it is obvious then we cannot rejoice in error. 

 But Evangelist John doesn't pointing out error to others mean you're not walking in love? Isn't this stirring division?

 I respect this concern. I actually honor this concern. My intent is not to spread division. Let me speak my heart. This scripture articulates my heart and intent.

 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 1 Cor 13:6 AMP

or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight! 1 Cor 13:6 Voice

 So my heart is this, to rejoice in truth. Truth you see is Love's delight. If I sent you a voicemail, and then you took the recording and altered it or distorted it, would that be loving on your part? Would it be unloving on my part to point out you distorted my original message? Can you see why it is not actually loving to change or alter the message of grace or the gospel of Jesus Christ? It is from a heart of love for the truth that I bring forth this message. I want to ensure we have a pure gospel going out not a distorted one. 

 Are you in a grace revolution or in a rebellion?

This is a very important distinction. A wonderful brother in the Lord has taught this topic in depth in his book : 
"After the Revolution - What must follow a Gospel Revolution."    
Pastor Ryan Rufus. We must reevaluate our hearts and motives and intents. Are we pursuing pure grace or are we in rebellion against the Body of Christ and any "traditional" interpretation of the Word of God? Are we constantly seeking some "new thing"? Are we looking for "truth" and will only "see" it if it contradicts the orthodox view of Scripture? 

 In expounding on this particular truth I believe that I and others like me have a distinct advantage, if you will. You see I have a strong Word of Faith background. In this great move of God many wonderful truths were revealed to the Body of Christ. However, even in the midst of truth being revealed much error and excess also came forth. Many were continually looking to change the Scriptural understandings we had been taught. This is good in some areas such as healing or provision. This doesn't mean though we have to alter the Bible to make our particular doctrine or "revelation" fit.

 You see we don't speak to the Bible. The Bible, God's Word, speaks to us. God declares His truth to us. We don't conceive a thought, or idea or new "revelation" or philosophy and then proceed to search the Word looking to reinforce or back up our claims. 

  So to begin only you can search your own heart. Are you in a rebellion or a revolution. A revolution seeks to make things better. A rebellion wishes to tear down and destroy. Are you so offended or hurt by legalism or controlling leadership that now you wish to eliminate the local church or Biblical leadership? Is this rebellion or revolution? 

  I want to go on record as saying I love the Body of Christ. We are not at odds with anyone. Remember the true enemy is the devil and his spirits of error and religion. You see when you are in the grace revolution you are withstanding, from a place of victory, the spirit of religion. You are contending,  with faith in God and walking in love as your "weapons" against that religious spirit. When you are in rebellion you are actually aligning yourself unknowingly with the spirit of error. 

 So when I mention these teachings or philosophies that are grace rebellion, I am not against the people within but rather the spirit of error. Lets begin to look closely at these ideas.

 First I want to examine Universalism. I am going attribute the full definition to Universalism. There is no real Christian Universalism. To me that view is really Inclusionism or Ultimate Reconciliation.
Universalism in it purest form is the idea that all roads leads to God and thus salvation. 

 There is not much to debate here. Those who know Jesus already know He has made it clear He is the only way.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 

Acts 4:12

 There is no other way to Heaven. There is no other way to everlasting life. It is only through Jesus Christ and His finished work can we have new life. Some may say aren't you being closed minded when you say Jesus is the only way? Well, in reality you're not being open minded when you are saying He isn't. In reality you're being susceptible minded. Having a Susceptible mindset is a state of being where you've allowed your mind to be easily accessed by the spirit of error. I truly believe that grace rebellion has it's roots is in this state. 

God is loving and gracious. He respects freewill though. He has given us the assignment of spreading the good news. This includes spreading the good news to those in other "faith's" or religions. I know when we minister truth with love and in demonstration of the Power of God the truth of God's love and grace shines to the darkened hearts of the lost. The glorious light of God open's eyes and they respond in faith receiving new life and new creation within. Beautifully adopted into God's Family.

 I will continue on my next post with the views on Inclusion and Ultimate Reconciliation. For further study check out Brother Paul Ellis teaching on these topics. I pray that you be blessed and encouraged as you read this. I pray that even if what is said in future posts goes contrary to your present view you won't be offended. I pray you examine your views in light of clear Scripture. 

Leave any feedback and share with your friends and get a conversation going. 

What about 1 John 1:9, Grace teacher?

     If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

  Whenever one proclaims the good news of the gospel of God's grace and who we already are because of Him, criticisms  immediately arise. Some critics are more abusive with their commentaries and accusations than others. Again, let me emphasize the importance of responding rather than reacting to such criticisms. We respond in love not anger or wrath. 

  Now one major critique of New Covenant grace is the notion that 1 John 1:9 is not to believers but to the unbeliever. Many fight this idea. They truly believe this must be written to Christians. The idea that we are already forgiven is something their minds cannot grasp. Nor will they accept this as truth. This objection should be addressed properly, in love and with the truth of God's Word.

   First, lets say we agree with the grace critics. Let's say 1 John 1:9 is for believers. Ok, now what does our Christian walk look like? One, we must now confess each and every single fault, failure and misstep we make. Now this must include any thoughts our minds wander to. This would include any time are eyes glance at something a second too long. Also, each and every action or deed you know should be engaged in and have not needs to be confessed. 

  So knowing all the spectrum our confession must cover, how should the Christian life be portrayed before others? It is seen in keeping extremely short accounts with our Father. We would need to be truly confessing our faults and failures continually before the throne. Secondly, if 1 John 1:9 is for believers, any lone misstep not confessed; any misdeed, no matter how slight the infraction, unrecalled or lapsed in your mind due to focusing on other mistakes, would equate our sin not being forgiven. Thus, if we were to pass from life to death with unforgiven sin our eternal destination would not be Heaven but Hell. No sin is allowed in Heaven.

  Lastly, If 1 John 1:9 is for believers, then you must believe that each and every time we sin we are immediately unrighteous. If we are unrighteous then if we in the midst of committing a trespass no matter the severity, and we were to instantly pass into death we would be eternally lost. For only the righteous have a place in Heaven.

 Do you see how severe and impossible the Christian life would be if we agree 1 John 1:9 is to believers?  Here is another thought which proves the absurdity of thinking 1 John 1:9 is for the Church. In Mark's gospel what did Jesus state? 

 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

 Think about this. If we are not already forgiven and a condition of our receiving forgiveness is to forgive others, why does 1 John 1:9 say if we confess we will be forgiven? Which is it? We must forgive to be forgiven or confess to be forgiven? You see how not rightly dividing this Word produces confusion and Law mindsets?

 What is the answer to all of this? It is simple we must rightly divide the Word, and rightly divide the Old and New Covenants. Under the Old in order to be forgiven a stipulation was we must forgive to be forgiven. Under the New Covenant we are already forgiven! Because we are already forgiven we can then forgive others. See how grace supplies something whereas Law demands something?

  As for confession of sins in order to be forgiven we again must rightly divide the Word. Who are we already in Him? We are forgiven. Let the Word prove this. 

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, Colossians 2:13

 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood  Revelation 1:5

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32

 I write to you, little children Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 1 John 2:12

  I want you to note the word all in these passages. Also notice the past tense indicated of our forgiveness. We are the forgiven. We are forever forgiven. Our past, our present and future sins. We are not just forgiven our past transgression and left to confess each and every sin for our present and future. Yes, it is exciting to know we have a fresh start with God when we accept Him. This doesn't mean God found us, picked us up, cleaned us and placed us on the right path and said stick to this path and if you fall by the wayside it is only by your performance will you gain access back on the path. What it means is God found us, cleansed us and walks with us on the right path. He has forever made a way for us to be in constant fellowship with our Father. 

  

So who then is 1 John 1:9 addressed to? First, read 1 John 2:12. Here John states equivocally that our sins are already forgiven us. Forgiven already without confession of all our sins. The Word doesn't contradict itself. This is proof enough 1 John 1:9 is to unbelievers not the Church.

 I know that will not satisfy critics so let me elaborate further. In the beginning of the Epistle, John offers no greeting to the Saints. In 1 John 2:1 he does begin with the greeting to the saints. In the first chapter though, he is addressing the unbeliever in the midst of the Church. In case you were unaware unbelievers actually do go to church. In the first 3 verses of 1 John note John details how these unbelievers can have fellowship with the Church. Then he states our fellowship is with Jesus and the Father. 

that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3

 Note John differentiates between "you" and "our". He is addressing a particular group inviting them to fellowship. Salvation and accompanying Christian walk is the understood subject. In other words, to come partake of this fellowship, be born again and walk in the new life Christ offers. 

 This introduction followed by the rest of the first chapter in context shows us John is addressing unbelievers. Here is the key to fully understanding this passage. John was addressing not just unbelievers in general but a specific sect of unbelievers, the Gnostics. 

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 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. 1 John 1:4-10

  The Gnostics didn't even believe sin existed. This is the focal point of this passage. John inspired of the Spirit was teaching the generations to come that sin is real. That the separation between God and man because of Adam's transgression was in fact a real chasm. Before John could show the solution, which is the finished work, the need for it had to be revealed to this specific group of unbelievers.  It is not Law mixing to explain to a specific unbeliever today that there was a separation between God and man. That God removed all the barriers and now new life is possible if one just receive it. 

 The point many miss though is they believe that all unbelievers must confess each and every sin before they get born again. 1 John 1:9 though written to unbelievers, is not teaching that sinners must confess all their faults. How could they recall each and everyone?What it is teaching is acknowledging your sin exists. Confess or agree with God you are lost without receiving what He has accomplished. Acknowledge your spiritual separation exist. You see when we come to God we just receive Him and His finished work. We don't confess Him Lord of our life. We confess Him as Lord, period! Regardless if you "make" Him Lord He is already Lord. (see Romans 10:8-10)

 There is still more about 1 John 1:9 we must uncover. I just wanted to bring it out that this passage is not to the Church but to the Gnostic unbeliever. Oh one more proof to leave you with. Notice this idea of confessing sins to receive forgiveness is only seen once. We don't create doctrine on a single isolated passage.

  

  I trust this post has blessed and enlightened you and encouraged your walk with the Lord. If this has blessed you please consider sharing this and telling others. I appreciate your feedback.  Blessings. 

Who You Already Are in Him.

     Moreover, your own completeness is only realized in him, who is the   authority over all authorities, and the supreme power over all powers.  Colossians 2:10

     In the last few post we have endeavored to answer grace critics. We have already established the proper atmosphere the Church needs to foster. An environment of love and mercy flowing free from all law and condemnation nurtures restoration and wholeness. 

  We have seen how a leader or mentor should address the sin issue. Now what about ourselves? What about when we fall and miss it? Does God abandon us? Is He fuming with anger toward us? I know legalism and tradition has said so. The Word says otherwise.

“For this is like the waters of Noah to Me For as I have sworn
That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, So have I sworn That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 
                                                                                       Isaiah 54:9

 Jesus and His finished work forever satisfied the need for penalty and wrath for sins. So when we sin or miss it God isn't looking to "punish" us or rebuke us. When we fall the Lord is not making sure you have a flat tire on the way to work. He is not sending infirmity or calamity to your life in order to get you "straightened" out. 

  In my past I used to believe if I sinned or missed it in some way before my work day started I would automatically have a bad day. I had through my sin removed the hand of favor off of my life. We need to let go of these religious traditions. We can never have true confidence in God unless we realize that all our receiving of blessings and favor and "good" days are rooted in His obedience and finished work. 

  Okay Ive removed the fear aspect of God "punishing" us if we blow it or miss it. So what are we to do when we sin? What about those negative behavior patterns? What of those sinful habits we just can't get freedom from? Let me explain the first step in finding lasting freedom.

  The first step into finding full freedom from sin dominating our lives is to know who we are already in Him. Let me expound for a moment who we already are.

1. WE ARE  COMPLETELY LOVED

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 1 John 4:10-11

2. WE ARE FOREVER FORGIVEN  (past present and future sins)

  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, Col 2:13

 I write to you, little children Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 1 John 2:12

 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood  Rev 1:5

3. WE ARE FULLY ACCEPTED 

to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Eh 1:6

4. WE ARE REDEEMED

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace   Eh 1:7 

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree Galatians 3:13

(We are redeemed from the curse. All sickness, disease, all lack and poverty and spiritual death. We are new in Him)

5. WE ARE A NEW CREATION

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation Galatians 6:15

6. WE ARE RIGHTEOUS

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

(We are in perfect right standing with God. We have His righteousness not our own.) 

7. WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1 JOHN 3:1

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  Galatians 4:6-7

8. WE ARE HOLY

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.                        Hebrews 10:10-14

  This is who we already are. Living outwardly who we already are on the inside is the progressive maturity we are all growing into. This is the true key to living in complete freedom and total victory.

 You may say, you are dodging the original question. What do you do if you have just sinned? What do you Mr. Grace man? OK I am glad you brought the question back to the forefront. I am showing not just how to deal with one sin but all the sins that seem to beset us.

  If we fall or miss it or through deception "dive" right into sin here is our right response. The Lord in His love gently reminds us who we already are. He doesn't place His hand on your shoulder and express His disappointment in you. No, He reminds us who we already are in Him and we simply repent. Does this mean we hurry to an altar, bawling and crying? Beating ourselves up for missing it? No, It means we simply change our minds. We change our minds about that particular activity. We agree with God and disagree with the thinking that this behavior is fruitful. Then, this is key, we confess our righteousness purchased by Christ! 

  Confessing our righteousness by Christ is what allows our minds to be renewed to who we already are. Even in the midst of committing that sin or wrong, confess you are righteous. This doesn't make the action right suddenly but it reminds you continually of who you already are. Eventually, as you keep confessing who you already have been made, you will awaken to righteousness and sin will lose its appeal and hold on you. 

  Lastly, Christ the Lord Himself helps us in this process. His love is not far from us in the midst of our "mess". When the temptations come or after you fall, even during the act itself He is continually gently whispering His loving Words to you, "I've got better for you." When you rest in His Words and fully realize how true they are you will walk in maturity of who you already are. 

  To sum it up. What do we do if/when we miss it? We remember God is never mad at us. We know to simply yield to the gentle loving reminder Jesus has for us. He has so much better for us. We realize who we already have been made. We continually confess our righteousness. As I have said earlier. Sin will take you further than you want to go. It has unforeseen cost you really don't want to pay. It tries its best to leave your heart lacking confidence. So sin isn't appealing. We grace ministers are not teaching that sin is what we are to pursue. We are abiding in Him, and who we already are in Him. I know I keep repeating this phrase. I want it to "sink" in. I want our minds to be renewed to this glorious truth. 

  I pray this post has blessed you. Too all those who are suffering out there for proclaiming these truths. I pray you be strengthened and never let go of the truth. Walk in love to those without the knowledge of the truth. By your fruits of faithfulness and love you will see hearts changed.  Again thanks for all my friends all over the World, helping in getting this blog out. I never dreamed that sisters in brothers in Asia, and Europe and various parts of the USA would respond and be blessed by this blog. It is all the work of Jesus. It is His name I desire to see renowned. Thank you for taking the time to read. Please pass it on freely if this has blessed you. The Lord bless you with peace.