Doctrine of the Angelic Conflict, part 56 – The essence of God – Truth. Heb 10; Eph 5.

Title: Doctrine of the Angelic Conflict, part 56 - The essence of God - Truth. Heb 10; Eph 5.

 

Unity and peace and not division. Satan is a divider.

 

I want to thank you all for your emails. Almost all were supportive of me and many are confused, feeling division, and have lost peace. For this reason, tonight, it is my great desire to restore that peace and unity.

 

Many of you have shared with me that you do not think confession leads to forgiveness of sin, but that sin was forgiven at the cross and that rebound has over the years enabled you to stop the current sin and correct your thinking with doctrine and then move on thinking the truth again. None of you thought that this added to the work of Christ and passages like:

 

COL 2:13 And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

 

COL 2:14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

 

Certainly I cannot be in fellowship with God [partnership, or agreement of thought] if my thoughts are opposed to His. All of the epistles of the NT present to us a choice between the thinking of our enemies and the thinking of grace under the mind of Christ. We all are clear on how to go one way, but recently events demand that it be made clear how you transition the other way. Many of you, as I have, have done this in the form of prayer.

 

I tell you that I don’t see a problem with any of this according to the Bible. I am not contradicting one thing I said on Sunday, but I am recanting one statement that was made in emotion and not in light of the truth I was attempting to present to you. I am not infallible, but I am a seeker of truth who loves his congregation as much as he loves His Lord (though the Lord is #1).

 

HEB 10:29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

 

Now you could have saved me a long trip to OR if you just wanted me to recite to you what others in the past have taught. Each of you could have picked a night to read from someone’s lesson while the others listened. You are equipped by a PT so he can study and teach and preach in order to equip you for the work of the ministry.

 

Some of you said that I said that Col Theime was wrong. I did not say that. I asked, was it possible that he misinterpreted one verse? I’m not saying I’m smarter nor in any way do I discredit or marginalize any of the tremendous work he or my PT have done. But if I have to agree with everything then I can’t do my job. And I guarantee you, that I’m a student of the word and I am going to do what I do in humility. I changed or reformed their doctrines of justice and prayer and everyone loved it. I understand that this is weightier, but as you’ll see, I’m not changing anything you do, only how you view it, and just to ask yourself if it has become a sort of mindless ritual.

 

The people who were trampling under foot the Son of God were those who believed their “sacrifices” were atonement for sin. Do you think your acknowledgment, naming, citing, or confession of sin is atonement for sin? If the answer is yes, and I know it’s not then you are definitely trampling under foot the Son of God.

 

So what have we been actually doing? If I say I have not been forgiven of sin until I confess it then either there was not forgiveness at the cross and I wasn’t completely forgiven of all sin at salvation or there are two forgiveness’s. [Chafer]

 

There was one atonement for sin by which believers were perfected for all time.

 

HEB 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

 

HEB 10:15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

 

HEB 10:16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them

After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And upon their mind I will write them,"

 

He then says,

 

HEB 10:17 "And their sins and their lawless deeds

I will remember no more."

 

HEB 10:18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.

 

There are no more offerings. So the question begs, have any of us been making offerings for sin?

 

In what I’ve seen and heard the answer is no and so you will not have to change a thing, but in fact things may for you become richer and clearer.

 

For if I am in sin, at this present time committing sin, my thoughts are in opposition to God’s and therefore I don’t walk with Him or walk in the light.

 

If I am to restore my walk with Him I must cease the sin, which means I have to first recognize the sin or acknowledge the sin so that I can stop that pattern of thinking and restore God’s truth and will or the proper system of thinking.

 

All of us have done the acknowledging in silent prayer. 1JO 1:9 does not say to confess to the Father or in prayer, but you are a believer priest, are you not, and you can go to your Father in prayer any time you want and about anything that you want.

 

So if I recognize my sin and I go to God in prayer about my sin do I believe that I am forgiven because of something I have done? I believe that in some cases, and not most cases, that some have believed that and maybe they have been doing the same procedure for so long that they don’t know and therefore are not free. In some cases, not in most. If you think a prayer forgives you of sin then in my understanding of the finished work of Christ you have added to that.

 

Am I restored to sweet fellowship because I’ve changed my thinking?

 

I asked a friend of mine for 20 years back east if he believed in two forgiveness’s and after some back and forth he said yes, but the confession forgiveness is something other than the cross forgiveness and that he believes he is forgiven of all sin at salvation. I’m summarizing but even though that doesn’t sit right in my theological file cabinet, neither him or I do anything different in the spiritual life. Are we just arguing words and yet believing the same thing?

 

So, is it a big deal since he confesses in prayer, Father I’ve sinned instead of I’ve sinned, or I confess my sin or I acknowledge my sin, all of it is done mentally and not verbally anyway, so do the words or the procedures matter? 1JO 1:9 says confess. It doesn’t say in which way or even to whom. It doesn’t say privately or in prayer.

 

But here’s my point, and I hope this restores comfort and unity to everyone, you can pray to your Father about anything and at anytime. You must recognize your current sin and stop doing it and change your system of thinking to God’s beautiful mind. How you recognize it, acknowledge it, how you mentally determine sin is not instructed in the Scripture. Naturally we default to our Father because we talk to Him about everything. I don’t see anything wrong with that.

 

Remember when we studied prayer and I was able through the word of God to take you out of the ritualistic part of prayer so that you could enjoy it as a part of your intimate relationship with God? You all loved it. Remember when I taught that we are no longer under justice systems but our point of contact with God is His love so put away the justice scales? You all loved it.

 

But we don’t cling to love, justice, and prayer like we do to rebound. I’m not changing anything. I’m trying to remove it from ritual [I better confess something before I witness or pray or serve even though I can’t think or remember anything] into reality.

 

The reality is that my sins are all paid for and when I do sin I must agree with God as to its utter sinfulness (acknowledge), then I will stop that current system of thinking and change to His perfect system of thinking.

 

And I don’t want you to believe that your forgiveness is based on anything you do. Believer, you won’t have to change a thing, but you will be better instructed on and also better able to make the transition from old nature to new.

 

I hit you with the jackhammer on Sunday. Sometimes a jackhammer shakes things up, sometimes it divides. Tonight I unite and bring peace.

 

EPH 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

 

EPH 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

 

EPH 5:3 But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints [there goes public confession or confession to one another];

 

EPH 5:4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

 

Ok, so let’s say that right now I’m using filthy or silly talk. I have to stop that and rather speak with thanksgiving. I have to definitely recognize my silly talk, which is the same as acknowledging it, and change my thinking to God’s words concerning thankfulness.

 

How can I ignore sin if I’m commanded over and over not to think like the world or the unbeliever in the world? No one is saying to ignore it, but to definitely acknowledge it so you can stop and move to proper thinking.

 

Does God know that you have acknowledged sin?

 

JER 17:10

I, the Lord, search the heart,

I test the mind,

Even to give to each man according to his ways,

According to the results of his deeds.

 

REV 2:23

 'And I will kill her children with pestilence; and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

 

Then He also knows that we’ve ceased from that sin and transformed our thinking to thankfulness.

 

You can rebound all day; if your thinking doesn’t change to divine viewpoint then you are not walking with God.

 

When we acknowledge sin does it have to be in the form of a prayer? Nothing says so, but nothing says not to, and again, you are a believer priest and a son of the living God, if you want to do so in prayer, so be it. Do you think that your prayer or your acknowledgement or anything you do is the basis of your forgiveness?

 

EPH 5:5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

 

Paul is saying that unbelievers who have no future with you or common destiny with you do these thing habitually, so why, as a new creature in Christ would you? It’s not who you are anymore.

 

EPH 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

 

EPH 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;

 

EPH 5:8 for you were formerly darkness [unbeliever], but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

 

EPH 5:9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

 

EPH 5:10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

 

EPH 5:11 And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

 

EPH 5:12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

 

EPH 5:13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light [truth is revealed and exposes darkness], for everything that becomes visible is light.

 

EPH 5:14 For this reason it says [paraphrases ISA 60:1-2 - Millennial],

"Awake, sleeper,

And arise from the dead,

And Christ will shine on you."

 

EPH 5:15 Therefore be careful how you walk [how you live, how you think], not as unwise men, but as wise [God’s intellect, God’s will],

 

EPH 5:16 making the most of your time [purchasing your time], because the days are evil.

 

EPH 5:17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

 

EPH 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

 

Now there is no mention of confession [let me finish], but there is repeated mention of choosing the right thinking, and if you have chosen the wrong thinking then cease that and change to the right thinking.  

 

[Each one of these books says that command is fulfilled by or connected to 1Jn 1:9. Ok. I’m going to ease your fear by saying there is no problem with that as long as you do not think that confession is adding to the work of Christ or taking away from the work of Christ. Hang your acknowledgment hat on 1JO 1:9. None of them mention that 1Jn 1:9 is written 25 years later. All I’m asking is why this isn’t addressed? I can’t find one person who has addressed that issue in a purely objective way. The only one who comes close to addressing it states that believers have always had confession from the Lev offerings in which there was confession followed by animal sacrifice in a sin offering (Lev 4-5). So the assumption is that the animal sacrifice was dropped and the confession continued. That’s conjecture but there is no way that I’ve been able to find that that statement is untrue. I’m telling you again, there is no problem with you confessing sin to God if it is a matter of you acknowledging sin, which must happen before you stop it and then change your thinking, and you do not believe that it is in some way an addition to the cross. ]

 

When I’m thinking the thoughts of God in peace I continue to be filled with the Spirit and can have fellowship with you in love.

 

EPH 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

 

EPH 5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

 

EPH 5:21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

 

Notice what we’ve read here. There is one way - God’s way and another way - not God’s way.

 

Here’s what happens to us very technical thinkers. Is it that I acknowledge my wrong thinking or sin and then I’m filled with the Spirit and then I can think the thoughts of God or do I acknowledge my sin, think the thoughts of God and then I’m filled with the Spirit? Does the Spirit force you to think the thoughts of God? If that were true you’d never sin again. That’s operation overthink. It’s all gonna happen simultaneously, just like salvation.  

 

Let’s say I’m drunk and I confess it right before I order another drink. Am I filled with the Spirit and in fellowship with God?

 

Why does Paul use drunkenness as an example? It’s because it is obvious that when a person is drunk he is completely influenced by alcohol and is not himself.

 

God the HS can completely influence a believer to love, serve, experience joy, peace, etc. In fact “filling” or pleroo means just that - to completely influence.

 

When I sin I am carnal. To break the pattern of sin I must recognize that I’m sinning, yes? Therefore I am acknowledging my sin and God who indwells me and is omnipresent all around me naturally sees, hears that acknowledgment. We have done this in prayer. It is a natural progression. The believer priest may go to God in prayer at any time and about anything. If you want to talk to God about your sin and its solutions fine. Heb 4 - to find mercy and grace. And yes you cannot approach God while thinking things that are in opposition to Him. An acknowledgment of sin and ceasing from it instantaneously gives the believer the ability to think doctrine again and enjoy sweet fellowship. I cannot entertain sin and doctrine in my soul simultaneously. I cannot be drunk and in fellowship at the same time.

 

The question begs - am I forgiven of sin because I confess them?

 

[All three of these men say yes to this question with different caveats]

 

Even if we can’t answer this question fully just yet in our walk with God it is clear, not only from Eph 5 but all of the NT when the problem of the old man and new man is in view is that attitude or thinking must change. In order to change it I must recognize or acknowledge that I have been thinking like the old man. That is a confession of sin - does it have to be in the form of a prayer? 1JO 1:9 doesn’t indicate so. I wonder if God cares if we said silently in our souls, “Father I’m worrying” or “I’m worrying.”

 

[my example of fear]

 

For many of us the first one has become an ingrained routine. And fear arises if I don’t say “Father” first in a prayer format. Fine. Do you think your rebound prayer atones for your sins or adds to the work of Christ? If so, you are trampling the Son of God under foot. If you don’t, keep at it believer. Don’t ever focus on sin. Recognize it and stop its effect in your life by thinking truth.

 

I want to present you with a theory. Normally I wouldn’t use theory, but one must ask themselves that if there are not two forgiveness’s or two cleansing’s then what about 1JO 1:9.

 

[Don’t touch my baby]

 

[begin quote] Christianity from the first applied austere standards of behavior, and in the course of its advance in the Graeco-Roman world developed a discipline for the correction of Christians who violated the code.

In the first stage [~ 200 AD] this took the form of public confession, made before the assembled congregation. (John McNeill and Helena Gamer, Medieval Hand-Books of Penance )

 

In graver offenses and in cases of impenitence or of public scandal, this discipline was accompanied by a period of exclusion from the fellowship...The word ‘exomologesis’ is used to include both confession and penance which are parts of the same process of public humiliation. There is no suggestion that any other kind of penance is in existence...It is not to be supposed, however, that frequent penance for the grave sins, the customary practice of later centuries, was yet permitted... advocates of public penance in the Middle Ages often cited the patristic literature as evidence that the act of penance may not be repeated (John McNeill and Helena Gamer, Medieval Hand-Books of Penance (New York: Octagon, 1965), pp. 4, 8, 14).

 

Is this not a satanic infiltration of the church? And it is interesting that the first epistle of John was written to refute false doctrines taught by false teachers who infiltrated the church.

 

[next quote]With the dawn of the third century [only 100 years after the writing of the first epistle of John] the rough outlines of a recognized penitential discipline were beginning to take shape. In spite of the ingenious arguments of certain scholars, there are still no signs of a sacrament of private penance (i.e. confession to a priest, followed by absolution and the imposition of a penance) such as Catholic Christendom knows to-day.

 

The system which seems to have existed in the Church at this time, and for centuries afterwards, was wholly public, involving confession, a period of penance and exclusion from communion, and formal absolution and restoration—the whole process being called exomologesis. ( J.N.D. Kelly, Early Christian Doctrines)