For the believer, when does God forgive sins?

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Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,319
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#1
I John 1:7 says that for those who are walking in the light (believers), the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses (Greek present tense = ongoingly, continually) them from all sin (sin is actually singular here in the Greek = each and every sin).

I grew up thinking that I needed to verbally confess every sin that I committed to God in order to be forgiven. I thought that if I sinned, God put a big red X on my record and I was doomed to hell unless I repented and confessed the sin. As you can easily conclude, I did not have assurance of salvation. I had my concept of God mixed up with the Devil: the Devil is the "accuser of the brethren."

Now I have come to believe that for the believer who is hanging on to Jesus (believing) and his blood atonement, the blood of Jesus ongoingly, continually is cleansing them from every sin they might commit.

Hallelujah! for Jesus and the cross!
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
403
71
28
#2
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,652
5,907
113
#3
I John 1:7 says that for those who are walking in the light (believers), the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses (Greek present tense = ongoingly, continually) them from all sin (sin is actually singular here in the Greek = each and every sin).

I grew up thinking that I needed to verbally confess every sin that I committed to God in order to be forgiven. I thought that if I sinned, God put a big red X on my record and I was doomed to hell unless I repented and confessed the sin. As you can easily conclude, I did not have assurance of salvation. I had my concept of God mixed up with the Devil: the Devil is the "accuser of the brethren."

Now I have come to believe that for the believer who is hanging on to Jesus (believing) and his blood atonement, the blood of Jesus ongoingly, continually is cleansing them from every sin they might commit.

Hallelujah! for Jesus and the cross!
I John 1:7 says that for those who are walking in the light (believers), the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses (Greek present tense = ongoingly, continually) them from all sin (sin is actually singular here in the Greek = each and every sin).

I grew up thinking that I needed to verbally confess every sin that I committed to God in order to be forgiven. “


This is remarkable you are quoting from a teaching that’s literally teaching us to confess our sins promising forgivness , as an argument as to why we don’t need to confess our sins ?

I mean you could literally just read the paragraph you had it right before when you were growing up

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:7-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

you had it right whoever taught you that before.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,133
30,268
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#4

Acts 10:43~ All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.
:)
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,074
6,880
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#5
Jesus is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. It was always God's intention to send Jesus to pay for our sins. This means that God purposed our forgiveness long before we came to be.
The provision for our forgiveness was provided at the cross.
And based on the cross, we can go to God and receive forgiveness afresh each day.

We have been forgiven, will be forgiven, and are currently forgiven.
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,319
1,448
113
#6
I John 1:7 says that for those who are walking in the light (believers), the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses (Greek present tense = ongoingly, continually) them from all sin (sin is actually singular here in the Greek = each and every sin).

I grew up thinking that I needed to verbally confess every sin that I committed to God in order to be forgiven. “


This is remarkable you are quoting from a teaching that’s literally teaching us to confess our sins promising forgivness , as an argument as to why we don’t need to confess our sins ?

I mean you could literally just read the paragraph you had it right before when you were growing up

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:7-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

you had it right whoever taught you that before.
I grew up thinking that "confession" was saying the right words. But the word for "confess" here is homologeo which means literally "to say the same thing as" or to agree with. The person who says words like "I am sorry," but in his heart does not agree with God about the sin is not really "confessing" at all. Hence confession is firstly and primarily an attitude of the heart, that will show in the words that we say: but it is the heart attitude (of agreeing with God that sin is wrong) that is the basis for forgiveness of sins.
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,319
1,448
113
#7
Jesus is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. It was always God's intention to send Jesus to pay for our sins. This means that God purposed our forgiveness long before we came to be.
The provision for our forgiveness was provided at the cross.
And based on the cross, we can go to God and receive forgiveness afresh each day.

We have been forgiven, will be forgiven, and are currently forgiven.
I think I would agree with everything you wrote here, except I would say the last line something like this:

I have been forgiven, and because I believe in Jesus, I continue to find forgiveness moment by moment in his blood payment.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,133
30,268
113
#8
Jesus is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. It was always God's intention to send Jesus to pay for our sins. This means that God purposed our forgiveness long before we came to be.
The provision for our forgiveness was provided at the cross.
And based on the cross, we can go to God and receive forgiveness afresh each day.

We have been forgiven, will be forgiven, and are currently forgiven.
What of those who die in unbelief? Are they also forgiven? I ask because I have seen you say many times that unbelief is not an (or the) unforgivable sin. Naturally I wonder then what becomes of the unbeliever at the time of death in your understanding... What is their standing before God?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,652
5,907
113
#9
I grew up thinking that "confession" was saying the right words. But the word for "confess" here is homologeo which means literally "to say the same thing as" or to agree with. The person who says words like "I am sorry," but in his heart does not agree with God about the sin is not really "confessing" at all. Hence confession is firstly and primarily an attitude of the heart, that will show in the words that we say: but it is the heart attitude (of agreeing with God that sin is wrong) that is the basis for forgiveness of sins.
“Hence confession is firstly and primarily an attitude of the heart, that will show in the words that we say: but it is the heart attitude (of agreeing with God that sin is wrong) that is the basis for forgiveness of sins.”

maybe one of the most edifying things I’ve read about confession of sin . Kudos

that’s what this stuff is throughout the Bible to accomplish in a believer to change thier mind about sin bieng and just something everyone does and not a big deal

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:24‬ ‭

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death,a

or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:15-18, 23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As we hear the truth about sin it brings repentance into our mind and hearts but we can’t continually reject it or it has no effect

“if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:25-26‬ ‭

believing the gospel teaches us that we have to repent of sin which brings the sorrow inside that leads to repentance and confession .
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,652
5,907
113
#10
Jesus is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. It was always God's intention to send Jesus to pay for our sins. This means that God purposed our forgiveness long before we came to be.
The provision for our forgiveness was provided at the cross.
And based on the cross, we can go to God and receive forgiveness afresh each day.

We have been forgiven, will be forgiven, and are currently forgiven.
listen here about the kingdom of God from the king and what he is saying about it

““Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.

When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.( he couldn’t pay that’s why it was originally canceled then it was reinstated because of what he did afterwards )

This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:23-35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

you still understand forgivness better that Jesus ?

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

believe jesus brother he knows God better than us he knows forgivness better than us he knows salvation better than us and he’s who can give life inheritance in his kingdom

Trust Jesus Cameron he inderrrsnds better than anyone else about God and forgivness and salvstion he wasn’t telling lies to those who believed in him but the truth
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,074
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#11
What of those who die in unbelief? Are they also forgiven? I ask because I have seen you say many times that unbelief is not an (or the) unforgivable sin. Naturally I wonder then what becomes of the unbeliever at the time of death in your understanding... What is their standing before God?
I believe they go to a place of torment awaiting judgment based on Luke 16.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,074
6,880
113
62
#12
listen here about the kingdom of God from the king and what he is saying about it

““Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.

When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.( he couldn’t pay that’s why it was originally canceled then it was reinstated because of what he did afterwards )

This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:23-35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

you still understand forgivness better that Jesus ?

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

believe jesus brother he knows God better than us he knows forgivness better than us he knows salvation better than us and he’s who can give life inheritance in his kingdom

Trust Jesus Cameron he inderrrsnds better than anyone else about God and forgivness and salvstion he wasn’t telling lies to those who believed in him but the truth
I've already been judged at the cross. I was found faultless.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,112
4,374
113
#13
I John 1:7 says that for those who are walking in the light (believers), the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses (Greek present tense = ongoingly, continually) them from all sin (sin is actually singular here in the Greek = each and every sin).

I grew up thinking that I needed to verbally confess every sin that I committed to God in order to be forgiven. I thought that if I sinned, God put a big red X on my record and I was doomed to hell unless I repented and confessed the sin. As you can easily conclude, I did not have assurance of salvation. I had my concept of God mixed up with the Devil: the Devil is the "accuser of the brethren."

Now I have come to believe that for the believer who is hanging on to Jesus (believing) and his blood atonement, the blood of Jesus ongoingly, continually is cleansing them from every sin they might commit.

Hallelujah! for Jesus and the cross!
Interesting,

There is NOW not before Christ, but NOW there is no condemnation to those In Christ Romans 8:1-4.

People need to remember we are in a relationship with God through Jesus and in what is known as the Sanctification Process.

God knows our thoughts, so sin is still in the mind, born in sin and shaped in unrighteousness. We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. That is a daily thing, not a one-time thing. God is not looking to cause or see anyone parish. But through Christ might be saved.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,652
5,907
113
#14
I believe they go to a place of torment awaiting judgment based on Luke 16.
because they never had any chance to believe or becaue they didn’t believe him ?
I've already been judged at the cross. I was found faultless.
so therefore you do inderrrsnd things better then Jesus ? He’s clearly saying if you don’t forgive others you won’t be forgiven in tbe everlasting gospel that offers salvation

I’m glad we dug down God will reach you now because you are a believer in the living God

Hear your daddy brother he’s speaking in your heart

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:36-38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you see how if I believe that part then this part becomes merciful ? and then we don’t have to pretend it’s not true

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10‬

if I believe the gospel and am merciful , if I don’t judge others if I don’t condemn people for sinning against me then I can expect that same treatment at judgement day . If I refuse to forgive others I can expect tbat treatment . And so we should do as the apostles taught and live and act under that law of liberty that brings mercy to the merciful

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

why would I reject the very thing that’s going to save me come judgement day ? Why would I choose to be judged without mercy ?

“judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”

this day is coming for all man

“For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ ”

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:10-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When we do that we want this to be true of us

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:36-38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

about when we’ve concluded it’s not true we have no where else to turn

the modern gospel of grace is a lie brother a distortion of Gods grace in the gospel that teaches us to repent and do good

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,( that’s what Jesus teaches us in the gospel we need to believe it )

while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ( Jesus teaches his disciples this in the gospel)

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” ( that’s the outcome of bekieving the gospel )
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:11-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,652
5,907
113
#15
Interesting,

There is NOW not before Christ, but NOW there is no condemnation to those In Christ Romans 8:1-4.

People need to remember we are in a relationship with God through Jesus and in what is known as the Sanctification Process.

God knows our thoughts, so sin is still in the mind, born in sin and shaped in unrighteousness. We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. That is a daily thing, not a one-time thing. God is not looking to cause or see anyone parish. But through Christ might be saved.
“There is NOW not before Christ, but NOW there is no condemnation to those In Christ Romans 8:1-4.”

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have to follow the spirit and refuse to follow the flesh deeds

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:

but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He’s teaching us and beckoning us to hear and believe him

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:15‬ ‭
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,133
30,268
113
#16
I believe they go to a place of torment awaiting judgment based on Luke 16.
But you have maintained that unbelief is not an unforgivable sin. I am just trying to understand
why you keep saying that. I mean I get it that we were all unbelievers at some point and accessed
the forgiveness made available by grace through faith in the shed righteous blood of Jesus Christ.
So it is forgiven once we repent. But it remains unforgiven if one remains in unbelief, which you
agree with even though there is only one unforgivable sin, and you claim that is not it.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,230
2,207
113
#17
If I were to draw a picture of the difference between those forgiven in Christ and those without, I'd say that we are more sensitive to our sins whereas those without might be rather callous in concern to sin. That is, when we sin, that particular area 'heats up' in us and we take note of it, and this indicates a sort of progressive healing of a certain wound. For example, you may get to the point that, even though you swiped your classmate's lunch, you are eventually compelled to replace it whereas, before, you just gulp it down and wipe away the evidence. However, where the believer's 'sin indicator' grows ever more sensitive, the unbeliever's 'sin indicator' grows dimmer and dimmer as he progresses in his sin and his wound festers becoming worse and worse unless he undergoes a radical surgery. Meanwhile, the believer is continually comforted by the healing warmth of the heat.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,074
6,880
113
62
#18
Again, more circles. I never said anyone doesn't have a chance. That's your misunderstanding of my position.

Grace and peace.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,652
5,907
113
#19
But you have maintained that unbelief is not an unforgivable sin. I am just trying to understand
why you keep saying that. I mean I get it that we were all unbelievers at some point and accessed
the forgiveness made available by grace through faith in the shed righteous blood of Jesus Christ.
So it is forgiven once we repent. But it remains unforgiven if one remains in unbelief, which you
agree with even though there is only one unforgivable sin, and you claim that is not it.
Cameron believes man doesn’t have a choice in any part of thier eternal destination.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,652
5,907
113
#20
If I were to draw a picture of the difference between those forgiven in Christ and those without, I'd say that we are more sensitive to our sins whereas those without might be rather callous in concern to sin. That is, when we sin, that particular area 'heats up' in us and we take note of it, and this indicates a sort of progressive healing of a certain wound. For example, you may get to the point that, even though you swiped your classmate's lunch, you are eventually compelled to replace it whereas, before, you just gulp it down and wipe away the evidence. However, where the believer's 'sin indicator' grows ever more sensitive, the unbeliever's 'sin indicator' grows dimmer and dimmer as he progresses in his sin and his wound festers becoming worse and worse unless he undergoes a radical surgery. Meanwhile, the believer is continually comforted by the healing warmth of the heat.
Amen definately an ongoing process for sure gods working on us so we can serve him