Fullness of God's Forgiveness

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. " I John 1: 8-9

 ^"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, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Colossians 2: 13-14

The Bible is replete with God's promises to forgive those who confess their sin and repent.  The verses above are two of hundreds but they reveal the scope of God's forgiveness.  Note however, that true biblical forgiveness comes only through God's Son Jesus Christ.  God's is not a cheap grace. It may be free but it is not cheap.  When we confess known sin, He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. The Believer's Bible Commentary say of verse 9 in I John:

In order for us to walk day by day in fellowship with God and with our fellow believers, we must confess our sins: sins of commission, sins of omission, sins of throught, sins of act, secret sins, and public sins.  We must drag them out into the open before God, call them by their names, take sides with God against them, and forsake them.  Yes, true confession involves forsaking of sins. Proverbs 28:13: "He who covers His sins will not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy."

Daniel 4: 35 The Supremacy of God

"All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" 

Note here the supremacy of God.  He does all things according to His will and no one can question.  God is in control of all things not passively but actively.  His will shall come to pass. He will do it.  As Dr. Sproul says so often there are no random molecules in the universe.  Hopefully that brings us much comfort.  His supremacy and sovereignty is always joined with His goodness, grace and glory.

Born of God

Pastor Dan, The Pastor / Teacher at Calvary Bible Church where I am a member is teaching through the Gospel of John.  If he holds true to form it'll take him about 5 years to finish.  Not raggin' on my Pastor at all. I'm just sayin'.  If past experience is a good indicator of future behavior five years sounds about right.  He recently preached through I Corinthians and it was life changing for so many of us.  I'll never forget his teaching through I Corinthians and what biblical love really looks like.  It was quite convicting.  I'd tell you more but I have to look at my notes.  By the time we finished Chapter 15 it was a couple of months after the passage on biblical love!  Anyway, back to the Gospel of John. (You got to love expository teaching).

Pastor Dan said there are three ways not to become a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ based on John 1: 12-13.  The first is that salvation is not by blood birth.  The second is that salvation is not by the will of the flesh.  The third way we don't become a believer is by the will of man.  People can't "white knuckle" belief in the Savior.  Rather John the Apostle's favorite term is "born of God." It's found in I John 3: 9; 4:7; 5:1; 5:4 and 5:18.  The sinner is saved only by God's sovereign grace.  He alone can change the heart of stone into a heart of flesh.  We can't do anything to make God elect us.  However, as Pastor explained, we can place ourselves under the means of grace.  We can pray, read His Word, be discipled, and ask the Lord to save us.  If we ask, seek and knock God will hear you and open up to you.  He is not one to hide. He longs to save people from their sin. He delights to give new hearts for old.

The Excellencies of Christ

I've been doing some counseling homework and one of my assignments was to read through Colossians and find some of the excellencies of Jesus Christ. Here's what I've found:

• The faithful saints are brothers in Him
• He is our hope laid up in heaven
• God is His Father
• His Gospel constantly bears fruit
• His Gospel is the grace of God in truth
• His saints are filled with the knowledge of His will
• Spiritual wisdom and understanding
• Walk in a manner pleasing to Him
• Increase in the knowledge of God
• Strengthened with all power
• Steadfast and patient
• Joyously giving thanks
• Jesus rescued us from the domain of darkness into His Kingdom
• He redeemed us by forgiving us our sins
• He is the image of the invisible God
• He is pre-eminent the firstborn of creation
• He is the Creator of all things--through and for Him
• He is the Sustainer of all things--they hold together in Him
• He is the head of the church
• He is the beginning the first born and first place in everything
• All of God's fullness dwells in Him
• God reconciled all things in Him
• Peace with God is found through Him
• He presents us holy and blameless and beyond reproach.
• Jesus' Gospel is the mystery of all ages--Gentiles and Jews saved through Him.
• Completes men in Him.
• Christ Himself is all the wealth--full assurance of understanding.
• All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him.
• Stability of faith is found in Jesus Christ.
• He is head over all rule and authority.
• He cancelled out the debt of our sin.
• He triumphed over the rulers and authorities having disarmed them.
• Only He is of value over fleshly indulgences.
• Seek things above and not earthly things.
• He is seated at the right hand of the Father.
• My evil life is hidden with Christ in God.
• Believers are revealed with Him in glory.
• Our true self is being renewed into the likeness of Christ.
• Christ is all and in all believers.
• His peace rules in our hearts.
• His Word dwells richly in us.
• All is about Jesus Christ. He is our all in all.

Personal Update

It's been awhile since I've updated my blog. There are reasons for that and someday I may explain them. In the meantime I appreciate your prayers for all those who have and are coming along side me to help. The other day I made a list of some of the things believers who are "In Christ" possess from Ephesians One.

• Righteousness
• Heavenly citiznship
• Every Spiritual blessing
• Holiness and blamelessness
• Redemption
• Forgiveness of sin
• Grace lavished upon us.
• An inheritance
• Predestined to believe
• Holy Spirit's sealing
• Spirit of wisdom and revelation in His knowledge
• Adoption by the Father
• Freedom

To Die is Gain

Last week I attended the first session of a discipleship training program at my church. It's entitled "Battling Unbelief" by Dr. John Piper.  As I was reviewing my notes with a friend tonight there were a number of compelling truths.  For one I realized how much of a God glory stealer I am.  I walk in my flesh far too many times that I care to admit.  Each time I think I'm serving God and I am the giver I steal His glory.  As Dr. Piper stated we are in danger to believe that we serve God in the sense that He needs us somehow.  Wrong!  He is the giver and we are the getters.  It is not by my strength but only by His Spirit does any believer do anything and that is to God's own glory.

I loved how Dr. Piper described God's grace as a flowing river.  We as a people are empty, needy, hungry and thirsty.  God's river of grace flows throughout our entire lives and allows us to live in joy knowing that He will be faithful to His promises.  We need not worry but can revel in the joy of knowing God will be true.  We may and often are not true, but no so Him.  Dr. Piper said that God in seeking His glory seeks the goodness of His creatures.  The believer's good is God Himself.  Unfortunately during the past few weeks the Lord has been showing me in what things I seek satisfaction.  It is biblical shaming to admit what are some of them.  I mean really!  TV over Jesus Christ?  Food over the Sovereign Savior?  Love of a dog over the Creator of the Universe?  Judge Judy over Judge Jesus? What folly as the Scripture would label it.

The DVD then turned to a discussion on Philippians 1: 20 -23 and how to live is Christ and to die is gain. For a believer to die is to gain Jesus Christ in His full glory.  We shall see him just as He is.  Death is very much better as it says in the NASB.  Jesus is given much honor in the death of the redeemed.  I do believe whole heartedly that death is gain.  I am not too excited at the prospect of the means of death.

I spend a lot of time at a local assisted living center.  This past week three of the residents passed away. I knew and talked to them all.  Two had been there just a short time and the other resided for a year or two I think.  When you walk in the front door, there is a picture of the deceased with the dates of birth and death listed.  I don't like finding out that way but that's the way it's done. It always sobers me. The first question I ask the picture is "where are you now?" 

Regardless of their being in heaven or hell I know that if they were able to return all of them to a person would say to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are in heaven would do so overwhelmed by the Glory of God revealed in His goodness, grace, love and mercy   Those in hell would do so overwhelmed by the Glory of God revealed in His holiness, justice, law and purity.  Either way God's glory is revealed.  However, I as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ must encourage all who read to choose A over B.  Believe now, repent now, confess Jesus Christ now.  Hell is a horrible price to pay for waiting.  All creatures will glorify God. The only issue left unresolved is from what place?  May your desire truly be to live is Christ but to die is gain.

Personal Update

Obviously I haven't been blogging as consistenly as I once did! I hope that in the days to come I can be more consistent again.  Many of you know that I am experiencing some health issues that have yet to be resolved. I am grateful for all that the Lord is doing and trust that His purging, refining and shaping of my character is His best and good for me at this time.  I know I fail greatly but it is my heart to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Trials are hard. Here on earth is our only opportunity to suffer well for the Lord. I appreciate your prayers and am grateful for all for have come alongside in so many ways.  How precious is the family of God. How grateful I am that the Lord has placed me in the middle of such gracious believers. To Him be the glory.