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Dr. Brown gives full-length answers to questions concerning confession of sin and salvation, the Hebrew alphabet (did the letters have pictoral meanings?), and the question of Christian morality and a theocracy. Listen live here 2-4 pm EST, and call into the show at (866) 348 7884 with your questions and comments.
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Unless salvation is first defined the relationship of confession of sin to it will not be recognizable. I think it would be acceptable to most to say that you cannot be saved unless your sins are forgiven. So forgiveness of sin is necessary to be saved. Is that all that is necessary to be saved? Probably not but for the sake of brevity I would limit the inquiry to this one thing, forgiveness of sin.
The next question is, “Is there a relationship between confession of sin and forgiveness of sin?” I think all would agree this is so. The next logical question is, “What is the connection between confession of sin and forgiveness of sin?” Is confession of sin a state of the heart? words spoken by the mouth? a quotation of Romans 3:23? admitting my lawless state? etc. Can you confess sin in a biblical sense unless you see and admit your sin as God sees and condemns your sin? Again, I think there would be agreement about this. The next question is, “How much/often must you confess sin in this just mentioned way?” Or to put it another way, “Is confession of sin a one time event or an event that must continue as long as there is sin in my life that God sees and condemns? To answer this question many have gone straight to the Atonement for the answer. I do not. I believe the answer to this question is simple. As long as I am committing sin God sees it and condemns it. The only way to reject this is on the basis of a doctrine of men not the bible or reason. If it is necessary to continue confessing sin as long as there is sin in my life that God sees and condemns I must continue to confess it to experience God’s forgiveness (Salvation.)
Of course if God does not see any sin in my life then there is nothing He condemns in my life. There are those who believe the converted “saved” have been so identified in Christ that His righteousness has been imputed to them so that now God does not see their sin. I guess I need to come out of the closet and admit I believe in the imparted righteousness of Jesus Christ not the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. I believe Jesus was crucified for my sins “so that the righteousness of God might be fulfilled IN those who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
So can you be saved if you are not forgiven? Can you be forgiven if you do not confess your sin? Is confession of sin required once or continually? My conclusion is you cannot be saved if you are not forgiven. You cannot be forgiven if you do not confess your sin. You must confess sin as long as you sin. I see the connection between confession and salvation as that of condition not cause. But I see it as a non-negotiable condition.
Here are my thoughts on our security in Christ. Or rather three verses which I think are foundational when discussing this topic.
I had often found the Gospel to be very “iffy” for it seemed to me that the good news was all around that little word “if”.
Yet, God does not want us to doubt our salvation, for our Salvation is Christ the Lord.
I believe God will have us to take heed unto our way.
Greetings Benjamin,
What are your thoughts on John 6:44?
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Regarding one’s security in Christ, I think it best said by David Wilkerson:
“I believe in the eternal security of the eternal believer.”
Salvation, as presented in Scripture, is indeed secure, however, it is no less conditional. The condition is faith and obedience in the Son of G-d.
“And having been perfected, He [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb 5:9)
I believe David Wilkerson’s answer above is a good one.
John 6:38 For I am come down from heaven, not that I should do *my* will, but the will of him that has sent me.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the end of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man.
Jude 1:3
Beloved, using all diligence to write to you of our common salvation, I have been obliged to write to you exhorting [you] to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
“Whom the F-THER” in heaven (ETERNALLY, in the NOW, continually, maintaining, a good, excellent, conscience, and without ‘conscience gaps’, with HIM only, first, FOREMOST, and ONLY HE Who sits on that ‘seat OF ALL POWER’) “is, was, continues drawing unto ME” (and continues when seated eternally on the ETERNAL MERCY SEAT, at HIS right hand forevermore) “I WILL IN NO WISE” (these of HIS only) “CAST OUT” (needing SAYING IN THE FINAL JUDGEMENT, DEPART FROM ME, for you might still be saying I know YOU, but I under the will of MY F-THER must say, instead, ‘I truely NEVER knew you’) !
“MY” kingdom (being “MY F-THER’S” kingdom)is NEVER of ‘this’ World (nor ANY World, or Worlds yet still to come) but by ME first, it came NEAR, by HOLY SPIRIT now, it remains near (even UNTIL it’s sudden “end”, by F-THER’S SENT HOLY SPIRIT)
“I” came ONLY TO “MY OWN”(who also received ME not, even as also all fellow Jews, especially those “of MY OWN” of Judah, of Jacob, of Abraham, of these only WHO ONLY WERE GIVEN THE LAW, as an “ISRAELITE Nation”, out of ‘Egyptian bondage’)
-therefore being ‘salt and light’ (in ‘THIS’ World) is AMONGST “true ISRAELITES” exampled unto THE WHOLE World, as to what “MY F-THER” is like, expects, FIRST of “ME”, then of “MY OWN”, to live eternally with HIM in “HIS” HEAVENLY kingdom forever, UNDER ‘HIS EMPERORSHIP’, ‘MY Lordship, as HIS “CHOSEN ONE”, always seated just below, to HIS RIGHT HAND, ETERNAL in “mercy seating”, the ONLY ONE ever STANDING IN HIS always fair, but finale declarations, and as “HIS VOICE”, of “HIS POWER”, OVER “ALL” CREATION, in “HIS kingdom”, under “HIS WILL” always, only (not ever HIS CHOSEN Lord’s will, forevermore, always HEAVENLY, with ‘Earthly Worlds’ only, as “HIS” declared FOOTSTOOLS, for ALL “MY” enemies, beginning ‘rebellions past, present, and FUTURE’, even ALSO, forevermore, AMEN)!
If the Rabbinic tradition never mentioned that boiling a kid in its mother’s milk was actually a practice of pagan idolaters (from what I understand archaeology has confirmed this) and that that was the primary reason why it was forbidden, would that work against their belief their traditions were passed down from the time of Moses at Sinai?
Rom 8:31.
Morning Brian.
The 20 verses before it all build upon each other to give us an understanding of verse 44, and the following verses also shed light on it as well.
John 6:44
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
In short, it’s pretty straight forward that all who come to Jesus are those who He will raise in the last day. And in order to come to Jesus you must be drawn.
Some misunderstand this verse and confuse the coming, drawing and raising. This is due to the fact that they lose focus of the primary action of the verse. That action is those who “come to me”. That is what this verse’s focus is. If you lose this focus it can lead to the misconception that all who are drawn are the ones that are raised at the last day. This can lead to a type of universalism since not all who are drawn come. This passage being a prime example since the multitude is being drawn, but are not believing yet which Jesus confronts, 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. -And previously Jesus also encouraged all these unbelievers to believe back in verse 27: Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
-In the first half of verse 44 we see that only those who have been drawn by the Father can come to Christ. In the second half of the verse we learn that only those who come will be raised up, -and I will raise him up at the last day-. A common objection is based on the fact that the word “him” appears twice in this verse, draw him: raise him. Some demand then that this means that all who are drawn will be raised. But again, this is because they fail to keep the object of the verse in focus; those who “come”. Those who come had previously been drawn, and it is those who do come that are raised at the last day. The focus is not on who has been drawn, but on who has come.
There is so much to say in regard to that verse based on pretty much every verse of the rest of the passage (verses 26 on to the end really).
So quick summation is that if you come to Christ when you are drawn, the result is that Jesus will raise you up in the last day.
Jon, great verses 😀
John 6:38 begins an amazing dialogue by our Lord.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Yeshua in verse 39 tells us the will of the Father, that all He gives to His Son, that none be lost by Him. Then Messiah tells us who the Father gives to the Son, all who see and believe.
Benjamin,
Thank you for your insight, much appreciated.
Shalom
Brian, that was the short of it. There is so much more. But may I ask your take on the verse or the reason for the 6:44 question?
Definately would like to see more, it is just facinating. Good work, Benjamin.
Greetings Benjamin,
I asked about 6:44 because I have been seeking a good commentary on John, and the verse cited has been one of the primary passages used to affirm monergism from the Reformed perspective. Hence, when you mentioned your work on John 6 that seriously grabbed my attention. I’d be interested to obtain a copy once you’ve completed it.
My thoughts on the verse follows:
John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
As you stated, this verse cannot be understood without affording the context that surrounds it. First, It would behoove us to understand what is meant from the use of the verb “come” as the action that one takes in relation to Christ. “And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (vs 35). This is clearly revealed by the Lord as a synonymical expression to the word “believe.” What we discover is that those who come to Jesus are actually those who believe in him.
In verses 37 and 39 we find that all who the Father gives to him will come; and all that He has given Jesus will not be lost and will be raised up the last day – thus affirming G-d’s initiative to salvation and the security found in those who believe in His Son.
Jesus identifies the will of his Father for the second time in verse 40 in stating, “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
As we look at this passage closely we see a two-fold application presented by Jesus, that everyone who “sees” the Son must also “believe” in the Son. This is an extremely vital point because we find Jesus stating in verse 36, “But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.” Hence, we find a distinguishing trait that there are a people that actually see but do not believe, thus nullifying salvation and the promise of being raised up at the last day.
This brings us to the primary verse in question (44), which must be read in conjunction with verse 45.
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day… Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.”
We find two primary points of emphasis that are explicitly mentioned:
1) The same affirmation reiterated from verses 37 and 39 reveal that salvation is initiated by the Father’s drawing to the Son. Hence, no one can come (believe) unless they have been enabled.
2) Those who believe must first hear and learn. This, too, identifies the two-fold reiteration that was placed upon the individual as previously stated in verse 40, declaring that “Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have everlasting life.”
Conclusion: By taking into account the context rendered, we find that Jesus was responding to a disbelieving crowd who murmured against him (vs. 43), thus one could accurately conclude that his response in vs. 44 was spoken as a statement of truth in light of those who would belong to the fold, and not as one of arbitrary selection. These are passages of affirmation and not isolation, and should be read in such light.
Thanks Brian.
I will definitely keep you up to date on my progress.
Those of the “Reformed” perspective often hijack the term monergism, change the definition and then call those who disagree with their definition synergists. Monergism in its true definition means there is one God who saves (or one expender of energy for salvation). Whereas synergism means that there is more than one God that saves, or that there are co-saviors. So if one believes that there is only one God that saves and there are not other saviours, he is a monergist. I am a monergist, though often called a synergist by those who change the definition.
When a person believes, there is only one God who has expended energy to save them and is capable of saving them. There are no other gods that can save, and there are no co-saviors. So really it’s a type of smear tactic to get oneself to think they are in error by mistakenly thinking they are a synergist when in-fact they are a monergist.
It is God alone who saves the believer.
The believe does not co-save himself.
Benjamin,
Appreciate the expansion on the meaning. It’s quite obvious that theological terms such as monergism and synergism can be taken to have divergent meanings. Placing people in theological constructs can be used as an attemt to trap (or limit) an individual into a belief system. I’ve actually heard Mike say that he didn’t like using those terms in describing his position, which makes sense.
The idea of an individual’s cooperative response to G-d’s gracious gift of salvation is seen as a work of man is a prime example.
John 6 corresponds to the”command”given one of”HIS own”(Israelite)on his own cross,for YOU MUST STILL BE WITH ME IN/THROUGH PARADISE(IF YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED BY ME)for even in the afterlife one must”still”be being found”drawn unto ME”,by MY F-THER who is always above ME,of WHOM”HIS WILL”BECOMES MY WILL(even unto future remembering of one who hung next to ME on his own cross,that of a accused’daggerman’ISRAELITE, temple zealot against HERODIAN buildups)ONLY CONTINUING BEING DRAWN throughout”THE NEXT LIFE”and beyond’third heaven’UNTO heavenly PARADISE overcomers,as I must attend unto also in MY OWN”perfection”from the day of MY OWN temporal flesh,blood,bones when in complete’kenosis’and on MY OWN cross in very same likeness of very same sinful flesh of first Adam as”partaker the very same”as all also from Adam’s’Eve’,mother of all natural living soul hidden within”bodies”for separation from temporal’tent’of dust.
I John 5 “has LIFE” by ‘LOOKING’ (at Christ’s FIRST ‘being lifted up from the Earth’ only as high as pole above first Adam’s gravesite of first Adam’s believed place of the ‘skull’, on which MESSIAH clearly voluntarily allowed soft, pitched, wood assigned ‘crossbeam’ to be attached to that Roman pole, without calling for angels ‘cloud’ to come to HIS rescue) and since it was for purpose of DRAWING ‘all Princes’ (not ‘men’) of this world under it’s ‘one Prince’, we are being ‘healed’ of continuing increase of these ‘minions’ sent here, now STILL under these Princes, WHO CHASTISE us even all the more, from our peace, but NOW by ‘looking’ ONLY (not continually being ‘drawn’, as were, NOW also these ‘Princes’ and increased ‘minions’ under them) to HIS cross, ARE ‘BEING’ healed from ongoing ‘robbery’ of OUR peace. Also, according to I John (5:11) this is WAY (John, who was at BOTH cross ‘lifting up’ AND 40 days later, HIS COMPLETE ‘departure’ angelically from this Earth, in HIS being ‘LIFTED UP’ for second, last time, as MESSIAH then stepped into, became completely hidden from John, the ‘Eleven’, in that BRIGHT cloud, BRIGHT angels of HIS ‘assigned’ parousia angels “feet”, two of whom stayed back standing along with disciples ‘feet’ on this ground down here, ‘fellow servants’ of MESSIAH of Israel, upon Mt. here below, of Olivet, URGING them on, exhorting, even a ‘chastising’, get ‘back’ to Jerusalem IMMEDIATELY, where MESSIAH insistingly instructed them ‘wait’, for the PROMISE …). and when PROMISE came, they ‘began’ to then learn (those who actually ‘tarried’ THEN, THERE long enough, as did Peter, James, John for sure) to come to understand how to have MORE abundantly LIFE, even unto “ETERNAL” life, beyond ‘life’ free from ‘loss’ of our ‘peace’ with our heavenly F-ther above (of WHOM Peter made plain, not washing of filth of the flesh, but continual now ONLY ‘baptism’ WHICH NOW saves us’ having EXCELLENT ‘conscience’ continual ‘washing’ by our F-ther G-d in HEAVEN WHO has sent HIS ‘HOLY’ Spirit to accomplish our F-ther’s BAPTISM which continually remains ‘ongoing’ unto “ETERNAL” life