Mark 1:4-5 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
Confession of sins for forgiveness was an old testament concept, which John the baptist continued because he was still under the old covenant; for the new covenant began after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Remember, the Bible teaches that a Testament is of force after men are dead (Hebrews 9:17).
To tell the New Testament Believer that ‘your sins are not forgiven until you confess them’ is not true. Because the sacrifice that cleanses sin is Jesus himself and He has already died for the remission of our sins.
In fact, God is surprised when the believer goes about talking about his sins to Him – because God doesn’t remember those sins and He has no record of them (Hebrews 10:17).
In the old Testament you had to confess your sins before you are forgiven. Now, Jesus comes and begins to introduce something different:
He finds a sick guy who hasn’t even spoken let alone confess his sins, and Jesus forgives him of all his sins. In another instance, a woman caught in adultery was brought to him by many accusers. Jesus dispels all the accusations and accusers. “And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more”. (John 8:3-11)
This practice of forgiving people without them 1st confessing their sins was too disruptive to the theology of the pharisees and scribes – so much so that they called it BLASPHEMY (Matthew 9:3). And as I teach this, there are many who struggle with it because they have that mindset.
Listen Beloved: THIS IS NOT BLASPHEMY. THIS IS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. JESUS SUFFERED ALL THINGS SO THAT YOU WILL BE JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS WHEN YOU BELIEVE. YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN THEE NOT BECAUSE YOU DID ANYTHING, BUT BECAUSE OF CHRIST’S GRACE AND SACRIFICE. PLEASE BELIEVE IT. Glory to God. Have a blessed week in His name.
GRACEFUL MORNING
