12.9 Confession of sins vs. Confession of Christ
Consistent with our new identity in Christ and the Holy Spirit’s conviction of righteousness, the emphasis for the New Covenant believer is the confession of faith in Christ rather than the confession of sins to God.
Paul’s letters are significant because the revelation of the gospel was given to him for the Church. Study the letters that Paul wrote to the churches and see how he called even the believers in the Corinthian Church (the most carnal of the churches) saints. He focused on who we are “in Christ”. The word “in Christ” or “in Him” appears 109 times in Paul’s Epistles. The word “confess” appears 8 times in his Epistles. All 8 times refer to the “confession of Christ” while there is no reference to confession of sins at all.
The reason is because sin was not imputed (Rom 4:8) and righteousness was imputed apart from works (Rom 4:6). Grace abounded to cover every sin (Rom 5:20). Our righteousness came from Jesus’ righteousness as a free gift (Rom 5:17).
From Acts to Revelation, the word “confess” appears 22 times, of which 18 times refer to the confession of Christ. Only in 1 instance does it refer to confession of sins to God for forgiveness. This is in 1 John 1:9, a favorite verse used to promote the regular confession of sins for forgiveness. I will explain as you read on, that 1 John 1:9 actually refers to confession of sins by unbelievers (Gnostics) for salvation.
There is not a single verse in the Bible after Christ had died on the cross which tells believers that their act of confession of sins is the condition for forgiveness to be dispensed by God. I searched the Epistles but I could not find any such verse. I also did a corresponding search for verses that talk about forgiveness of sins by God to believers. I found that the Bible talks about the forgiveness of sins in the past tense for the New Covenant believer because eternal forgiveness had been given on the cross 2,000 years ago.
(Eph 4:32)
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ FORGAVE you.
God really meant it when He says that Christ has offered one sacrifice for sins forever (Heb 10:12), forgiven all our trespasses (Col 2:13) and He will remember our sins no more (Heb 8:12). He has obtained eternal redemption (Heb 9:12), given us everlasting righteousness (Dan 9:24), and perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Heb 10:14).
2 Cor 5:21 says that we have become the righteousness of God in Christ. It is permanent and unchanging. John 14:16 says that the Holy Spirit will abide with us forever. All our sins have been imputed to Him and all His righteousness has been imputed to us (Rom 4:6-8).
Paul’s letters are significant because the revelation of the gospel was given to him for the Church. Study the letters that Paul wrote to the churches and see how he called even the believers in the Corinthian Church (the most carnal of the churches) saints. He focused on who we are “in Christ”. The word “in Christ” or “in Him” appears 109 times in Paul’s Epistles. The word “confess” appears 8 times in his Epistles. All 8 times refer to the “confession of Christ” while there is no reference to confession of sins at all.
The reason is because sin was not imputed (Rom 4:8) and righteousness was imputed apart from works (Rom 4:6). Grace abounded to cover every sin (Rom 5:20). Our righteousness came from Jesus’ righteousness as a free gift (Rom 5:17).
From Acts to Revelation, the word “confess” appears 22 times, of which 18 times refer to the confession of Christ. Only in 1 instance does it refer to confession of sins to God for forgiveness. This is in 1 John 1:9, a favorite verse used to promote the regular confession of sins for forgiveness. I will explain as you read on, that 1 John 1:9 actually refers to confession of sins by unbelievers (Gnostics) for salvation.
There is not a single verse in the Bible after Christ had died on the cross which tells believers that their act of confession of sins is the condition for forgiveness to be dispensed by God. I searched the Epistles but I could not find any such verse. I also did a corresponding search for verses that talk about forgiveness of sins by God to believers. I found that the Bible talks about the forgiveness of sins in the past tense for the New Covenant believer because eternal forgiveness had been given on the cross 2,000 years ago.
(Eph 4:32)
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ FORGAVE you.
God really meant it when He says that Christ has offered one sacrifice for sins forever (Heb 10:12), forgiven all our trespasses (Col 2:13) and He will remember our sins no more (Heb 8:12). He has obtained eternal redemption (Heb 9:12), given us everlasting righteousness (Dan 9:24), and perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Heb 10:14).
2 Cor 5:21 says that we have become the righteousness of God in Christ. It is permanent and unchanging. John 14:16 says that the Holy Spirit will abide with us forever. All our sins have been imputed to Him and all His righteousness has been imputed to us (Rom 4:6-8).
posted by Joshua Lye @ 10:23 PM
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