tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25253203.post2007711160574744330..comments2023-07-04T08:14:16.030-05:00Comments on Eyes Open Wide: Back to School... Part 6Doulos Christouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04575598875038475380noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25253203.post-4779182525492428212008-03-01T08:50:00.000-06:002008-03-01T08:50:00.000-06:00David,I agree with your questions (and I just KNEW...David,<BR/><BR/>I agree with your questions (and I just KNEW that I should have processed this a little more in the post, too!) I think Murray is referring here to the need for reality in confession as opposed to the perfunctory, glib prayer for "fire-insurance" forgiveness - pointing perhaps at the reality of the spiritual condition of our hearts in the first place.<BR/><BR/>Maybe he's speaking to those who, like the Pharisees coming to John the Baptist, needed to "bring forth fruits consistent with repentance" - not to earn the forgiveness, but to demonstrate the reality of God's work within them.<BR/><BR/>I believe that the work of the Atonement paid for ALL of the sins of the elect, and that we stand in right relationship before God solely on the basis of His completed work, and not because of anything we do... especially in earning forgiveness. So, in putting that together with 1 John 1:9, I'd say that our confession is evidence of the work being done in us as well as a reminder of our responsibility to forgive our brothers as well.<BR/><BR/>Thank God that He works in us and through us to accomplish His will and purpose, though - it certainly isn't in me... and I'm amazed when I see "me" changing. How amazing is our God for doing this!<BR/><BR/>Oh, and by the way, who was that wise pastor who challenged me to read 1st John every day for a month and focus on the evidences of conversion? I'm not quite certain (due to my advancing age), but I'll never forget that I let him down in not learning the proper music to the 1 John 4:7-8 song! :)Doulos Christouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04575598875038475380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25253203.post-28389991079906620382008-02-25T09:17:00.000-06:002008-02-25T09:17:00.000-06:00Wes,I have a question about this one.Murray says, ...Wes,<BR/><BR/>I have a question about this one.<BR/><BR/>Murray says, "Only what is really confessed is really forgiven."<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure what he really means by this. I wish I could sit with him and ask him. But it seems to create a problem for me.<BR/><BR/>Can we possibly think that we have "really" confessed every single one of the sins for which we are guilty? I submit that is impossible. I live in a condition of sin every second that I don't love God with every fiber of my being and my neighbor as myself. At the end of every day I confess to God that I haven't loved him as I ought. Nor have I loved my neighbor as myself. But isn't that the very "formal" confession Murray is concerned about?<BR/><BR/>What about sins that I haven't confessed and I have forgotten about? Every night I make this confession, "I have sinned in what I have done and what I have left undone and I do not know or remember them all." I don't think Murray would like that either.<BR/><BR/>Do you think Jesus is talking about confession of sin here?<BR/><BR/>Do you see a difference between confession and asking for forgiveness?<BR/><BR/>Jesus paid for all our sins, past, present, future. We know atonement is complete. Does that mean we are forgiven? Do we still have to confess our sins?<BR/><BR/>John seems to make it clear that we are to confess our sins because God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if this particular prayer request might mean something like, "Help us forgive our debtors as you have forgiven us." Or does it relate to the warning we have that if we do not forgive those who sin against us our Father will not forgive us?<BR/><BR/>Sorry this is so long. You know I pray this prayer several times a day and I almost always wonder about this one clause and have thought alot about it. I'd love to hear what you think.<BR/><BR/>And yes, I have hundreds of pictures of this last India trip. More than you want to see. But I can and will gladly show you as many of them as you can stand. I have them on disc and can show them to you on my laptop. Name the place and time!<BR/><BR/>Always your brother,<BR/>DaveShiloh Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00516285675816569740noreply@blogger.com