Posted by Ray Kidder on 9/6/2009, 6:03 pm, in reply to "Re: a quick response"
98.204.216.96
Searcher,
Isn't it true that the mere confession of a sin entails a of kind of spiritual death of a (perhaps very small) part of one's self, such that the confessor has denied himself with no choice but to take up his cross and follow Christ?
You quoted Colossians 2:10-13:
"And ye are complete in Him, Which is the Head of all principality and power: In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein ye are also risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses."
I am not claiming this scripture is wrong, but I do not think it totally applies to someone on the basis of having Christian religious membership and faith alone. Notice how St. Paul mentions the sacrament of baptism. It is through this sacrament that we die with Christ so that we experience a spiritual resurrection from the dead; right? It also mentions the forgiveness of trespasses. Doesn't this forgiveness apply to those who have experienced the power of the resurrection such that they walk in newness of life, where their sinfulness is overcome. If sinfulness is still present, how can there also be the walking in newness of life as one who has risen with Christ?
If someone with Christian faith and sacraments still sins, then isn't it important that they confess their sins in order to put to death the deeds of the flesh and rise from the deadness of their sins through the power of Christian resurrection?
If not, why did St. John write the following in I John 1 (NKJV)?:
8 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.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
I know it seems as though I am repeating myself, but your post makes it seem as though we are forgiven even if we do not unite ourselves with the death and resurrection of Christ. I believe our forgiveness is the result of our spiritual death and resurrection, in which one of our first responsibilities is to confess our sins, and to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us (as a result of our confession).
What is wrong with this order?:
1. Conviction of our sins through the law and the Holy Spirit.
2. Confession of sins with humility to God and/or those we have troubled through our sins.
3. God's forgiveness of our sins as we have died spiritually through steps 1 & 2 (above).
4. Our forgiveness of other people's sins wherein they have troubled us.
5. Conversion with repentance associated with a change of heart, through the power of the resurrections, sacraments, and the Holy Spirit.
6. Living righteously with morally upright works.
7. Rewards from God for living righteously through the power of the resurrection.
If a Christian backslides after attaining (say) step 5, and reverts to (say) step 1, where they only admit that they have returned to sinning, then don't they have to progress through the steps again to avoid God's wrath?
Ray Kidder
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