Paul in his letter, to the church at Corinth, is addressing the sin in the church. Not the sins they committed before they believed, but the sins they continued in, and of which they did not repent!
This addresses the question many have of walking in repentance. This sheds light on the misconception of ALL sin being forgiven at being born again; past, present and future.
Upon choosing to follow Jesus Christ, our separation from God (that occurred because of the fall of Adam) is forgiven because of Christ being the perfect sacrifice for that sin! However, we must repent for sins that we have stored in and which have hardened our heart. Walls that we have erected to protect us from being hurt must be torn down. Bitterness, unforgiveness, anger and such have to go, to make room for The Holy Spirit! He sheds light on the occurrences that wounded us, so that we may forgive and repent of holding onto them! Once truly forgiven and repented of - they no longer hurt! Unforgiveness is sin. Once each sin is repented of, the devil no longer has a foothold in our life. Sanctification is beginning. The more sin we have buried in our heart that we confess and repent of (as The Holy Spirit illuminates) the more we are cleansed. He begins to conform us to His image, because we are putting away the deeds of the flesh!
Being unwilling to repent of past sins, and current sins, keeps us under the dominion of the enemy. By believing his lies, (that we don't have to repent) he keeps us under his rule, and we continue to be separated from God. That is why so many fall away, even though they are in church. There has been no change, except that which they have accomplished in their own flesh.
I know first hand the process of decision then backsliding; over and over! I know the futility of trying to clean myself up and knowing there must be something more, because of the promises listed in His Word! Promises of Peace! Promises of Victory! Promises of Joy!
I NOW know firsthand that they are indeed for the believer willing to be submitted to dying to the flesh! It's so hard to humble yourself and lay down your pride, to confess your sins to a brother or sister in The LORD! But oh the freedom that comes with the act of repentance in humility; that's truly from where the power comes! Transparency begets healing!
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV
Most of us have told a friend our deepest secrets (at one time or another) and have been betrayed - so we think we have to conceal our past so as not to incur further hurts. However, notice James says the person prays for you at the time of confession. Not commiserates, not pats you on the back, not belittles you, but prays for you!
I met with a trusted brother and sister in The LORD, and confessed and repented of my sins of unforgiveness and judgments against those who had hurt me and immediately felt a lightness I had never known! What had weighed me down was removed and I then knew freedom! I didn't get it all done in one night, but made great strides! Then through subsequent meetings I have been truly set free! I now recognize The Holy Spirit's prompting of another layer that needs addressing; an exposed root to be dug out! Yes, it hurts but only momentarily! The freedom is so worth the sacrifice of my pride!
Jesus speaking to the church in Ephesus: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5 KJV
When we love Him, we obey His commandments. When we sin by not loving, not forgiving, not obeying, we must repent. Not doing so has consequences.
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
This is what is meant by working out your own salvation with fear and trembling! (Philippians 2:12) It's daily submitting to the pruning of the Master's hands! Submitting to His ministrations to make me like Him! Dying to self! Climbing up on the cross with Him! Sharing in His sufferings of my sins for which He died! So I may be raised with Him, in His glory; His work in me complete!
Ask God to show you who you need to forgive. He will show their face; you will feel the pain of the hurt like it just happened. THAT means it's not forgiven and neither are you. You must repent.
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 5/7/15
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