CONFESSION INCLUDED IN RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS
PSALM 32;1-11
GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF ALL FORGIVENESS--He, Alone, can forgive sin. Even The Lost
Religionists of Jesus' Day knew this--Luke 3;18-26-[Turn].
Sinners have profaned His Name, abused His Patience, violated His Laws, and
stained His Glory. Nevertheless, He forgives them, of their sin.
NOW, LISTEN, TO THIS; Because of Everlasting Forgiveness, sins committed by believers
are hidden, from the eyes of The Father. The Blood of Jesus Christ covers all sins-
Past, Present, and Future. How many of your sins were in The Future, when He died/
ALL OF THEM. . .
ALTHOUGH A Believer's sins are hidden from The Father, they must be duly confessed
and cleansed.
The JUSTIFIED PERSON RETAINS HIS SIN NATURE; THEREFORE, HE REQUIRES CONTINUAL
SANCTIFICATION. Sinning Christians lose the joy of their Salvation.
Everlastingly forgiven persons alone, experience joy. [Joy cannot be restored, to
those, who have never experienced it]. The restoration of one, who through sin, had
lost the joy of His SALVATION, is recorded in PSALMS 32 and 51.
JACOB WAS ALSO RESTORED TO THE FELLOWSHIP, HE HAD PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED AT Bethel-
GENESIS 31;3-''And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers,and
to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee.''
GENESIS 35;1--15-[READ]
''ARISE GO TO BETHEL''--Place of Revelation, or, of closeness to God. It may stand
for; Time of Conviction; Time of Conversion; Time of Consecration; The Call to a life
of faith.
''WHEN THOU FLEDDEST''--You were scared before, and I took care of you, and I can do
it again.
The saints at Ephesus, Who had left their first love, were exhorted to return--
Revelation 2;1-5--[Turn].
The introduction to Psalm 32, as found in Verses 1 and 2, describes The Joy,
experienced by a forgiven sinner.
David recognized the radical nature of sin [VV. 3-7], and The Lord answered his
confession of sin [VV. 8-9].
The Psalm concludes with a testimony of God's Redeeming Grace in VV. 10-11.
Psalm 32;1-11--[TURN].
The Psalm is introduced with an expression of overflowing joy because of forgiven
sins.
The Writer rejoiced over forgiven acts of sin.
In Psalm 51, he rejoiced over the forgiven nature of sin.
Erroneous concepts of forgiveness result from ignorance of that distinction.
The LORD pronounced David Blessed, because he had been Everlastingly forgiven. That
Forgiveness was based on The Everlasting Covenant, that God the Father had made with
His Son, and on Christ's finished work on The Cross.
Regenerated persons are blessed, because they are in a better state, than Adam was,
before he fell. We don't bemoan Adam's fall, but rejoice that we are trophies of
God's grace.
Future blessings are also promised [REVELATION 21-22].
One, whose transgressions are forgiven, is blessed. This one word doesn't adequately
convey the meaning Here. It is called ''transgression,'' ''sin,'' and ''iniquity''--
PSALM 32;1-3-[read].
1. Transgression is rebellion against rightful authority.
2. Sin is missing the mark.
3. Iniquity is moral crookedness.
Three expressions for PARDON are also given; ''FORGIVEN,'' ''COVERED,'' ''NOT
IMPUTED'' [VV. 1-2].
1. Forgiveness signifies taken away. . .comment-leviticus 16;1-10; 18-22-[read]
2. Covered indicates that sins are hidden from God's Face.
3. ''No imputation'' means the debt has been canceled; it is not reckoned to the
sinner's account.
Believers are blessed with assurance, that the sins they commit after REGENERATION,
will not be imputed to their accounts.
Repentance and Confession of sin are fruits of CHRIST'S ADVOCACY.
The Lord Jesus Christ righteously settled the sin question, on the cross;
consequently, He righteously pleads for believers, on the throne.
Past, present, and future sins of believers were judged in the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ.
Believers without guile [hypocrisy] are blessed. Sincerity and Hypocrisy are
incompatible.
Guile is manifested, by refusing to seriously consider one's self before God. Such
individuals excuse themselves, for not confessing their sin.
Frivolous amusement and religious ceremonies are often adopted, in order to relieve
the labor of reflection.
A Forgiven Individual, on the other hand, openly confesses his sin, and makes no
excuse for it. He desires impartial treatment. He studies God's Word, and implements
what he has learned, by following practical holiness.
David recognized the radical nature of sin, felt the burden and sorrow thereof,
and confessed it. He recognized that, ALL SIN is against The Lord.
He looked retrospectively, from his restored fellowship, to his forgiven backsliding-
Psalm 32;3-4--''When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the
day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into
the drought of summer. Selah.''
During his silence--failure to confess his sins-- he suffered God's Chastening.
Now failure to confess sin, may result from thoughtlessness, pride, or
procrastination--''I'll get right with The Lord later.'' The ROAD OF BYE and BYE
leads to the town of Never.
Sin is never diminished by deferred confession. But, it is AGGRAVATED-- It not only
is WRONG, It is NOT WORTHWHILE. . .
David's State after his great transgression is reflected in PSALM 51;1-13-READ. His
decline was marked by various complications, which not only aggravated his personal
guilt, but directly affected the lives of others.
David paid four-fold-HIS CHILD DIED, HIS SON RAPED HIS HALF-SISTER, HIS SON KILLED
HIS HALF-BROTHER, AND HIS BELOVED SON WAS KILLED.
Now, A Christian's sin is the most heinous of all iniquiities. An unsaved
individual may be guilty of all kinds of sin, but, it is a Christian's sin, that
brings reproach upon the One,Who has everlastingly forgiven him.
If you let sin come into the local church, and it be known in the community, the
whole church loses respect and reputation in the area.
David's sin resulted in the loss of four [4] things;
[1.] He lost his peace, and prayed for forgiveness--V I--''Have mercy upon me, O God;
according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions.''
His pleading for forgiveness began with requesting mercy, BEFORE mentioning his Sin.
He did not plead past purity, pious parentage, public position, or accomplishments
for the Lord.
[2]He lost his purity, and prayed for cleansing-- V. 2--''Wash me thoroughly from
mine iniquity; and cleanse me from my sin.''
His plea was for personal cleansing-wash me-not for cleansing of garments. Hypocrites
are satisfied with garment cleansing. But sincere Christians desire internal
cleansing.
[3.] He lost the joy of his Salvation, and pleaded for restoration [VV. 4-12].
Many become sick from sin, but David was sick ''of'' sin ''as'' sin. He made full
confession.
None, but truly born-again individuals, will fully confess before The All-Seeing eYE
OF GOD.
[4.] HE LOST HIS POWER--EFFECTIVENESS IN SERVICE, AND PRAYED FOR ITS RENEWAL-[VV.
13-19].
FIVE Great Themes dominate Psalm 51;
[1]SIN-MAN'S SIN IS REGARDED IN 2 WAYS; It is a polluted recoord, that must be wiped
out; it is a polluted robe, that must be cleansed.
[2] RESPONSIBILITY--David did not blame heredity, environment, society, instinct, or
circumstances for his sin. David acknowledged his own guilt.
Now, get this truth; those who seek to excuse sin, know nothing of God's Grace.
[3]REPENTANCE--The Old Testament Saints could understand from prophecy, that a
fountain is opened for cleansing--
Zechariah 13;1--''In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin, and for uncleanness.''
All the Saved, since the death of the testator, know THERE IS A FOUNTAIN, FILLED
WITH BLOOD, DRAWN FROM IMMANUEL'S VEINS, THAT CLEANSES FROM ALL SIN--
I John 1;7-- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.''
[4] FORGIVENESS--Consciousness of sin leads the believer to that fountain, filled
with Blood.
[5] TESTIMONY--Forgiveness and cleansing lead to a life of witnessing for The Lord.
A REDEEMED PERSON CANNOT REFRAIN FROM DAILY WITNESSING.
Before he confessed his sins, David's bones waxed old-Psalm 32;3--''When I kept
silence,my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.''
His physical strength diminished.
The Sapping of a person's spiritual state affects his physical well-being,
I Corinthians 11;30-[Turn].
A individual, suffering from foreign matter in the eye, may not enjoy his eyesight,
any more that One, who is blind. Nevertheless, no one would conclude he lost hi
eyesight.
Removal of the foreign matter is often painful. Similarly, removal of that which is
foreign to Spirituality is very painful, to the offending Christian.
God's Chastening Head was heavy upon David--V. 4--''For day and night thy hand was
heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.''
Scientists affirm that the atmosphere weighs on all solid objects, a certain amount
of pressure per square inch. However they are not crushed.
Likewise, A Christian is protected through God's Chastening--Psalm 89;3-4-[Read].
Here, we have The Davidic Covenant.
1. Verses 3-4--The covenant made with David and in him David's Lord and Son. Made for
his seed; made for himself--''his throne''.
2. The COVENANT CONFIRMED BY DECREE--''I HAVE MADE''; BY PROMISE-''I WILL
ESTABLISH''; BY OATH-''I HAVE SWORN.''
David repented and confessed his sin-Psalm 32;5-7-[Turn]. His confession was 3-fold;
[1] He acknowledged his sin. [2] He uncovered his sin. [3] He confessed his sin.
The Psalmist's grateful testimony after his restoration is recorded in Psalm 32;5-7-
[READ].
The Lord answered David's confession with instruction [V.8] and warning [V. 9].
CHRISTIANS CANNOT BE INSTRUCTED AND BLESSED, UNTIL THEY ACKNOWLEDGE, UNCOVER, AND
CONFESS THEIR SINS--Jeremiah 31;18-19-[TURN].
Instruction follows genuine confession of sin. Truth must be learned through this
kind of personal eexperience.
The ability to quote Scripture is insufficient. Abstract truth alone. Truth separated
from practical consideration, or application, profits no one.
God's people must be instructed-indoctrinated.
People may be theoretically indoctrinated, and give mental and vocal assent to
doctrine. However, only when doctrine is received into a believer's heart, can he
exhibit its molding influence.
Confession, forgiveness, and restoration enablle Christians to effectually serve The
Lord.
When DAVID WAS RESTORED TO THE JOY OF HIS SALVATION, HE BECAME A FAITHFUL WITNESS
FOR THE LORD.--Psalm 51;12-13-[Turn].
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
GOD'S CHARACTER IS SEEN IN RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS--PART 2
Now, I want you, to get this truth; At the root of almost every church problem
is UNCONFESSED, SECRET SIN.
Confession at the private altar is sufficient to receive forgiveness and
cleansing for sin,known only to God, and an individual soul; but Forgiveness of
Plubic Sin necessitates confession One to Another.
You see, TRUE WORSHIP IS IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER,
UNTIL THEY HAVE RIGHTED THE WRONG. .. MATTHEW 5;23-24-[TURN].
Forgiveness is costly. GOD FORGIVES A REPENTANT SINNER BECAUSE OF THE SAVIOUR'S
SACRIFICE.
In the same way, it costs the forgiving heart to forgive Another's Transgression.
But, It is worth the price, for Forgiven Ones have forgiving spirits.
Flesh does not easily yield, but Christians ARE NOT DEBTORS TO THE FLESH-They crucify
the flesh--I CORINTHIANS 9;27-[TURN].
With one exception,, sins committed before salvation, should never be related,
because they were washed away, in Christ's blood.
I CORINTHIANS 9;27-''But I buffet my body''--Paul did not, like The Gnostics,
consider his flesh and soul, to be sinful, or evil.
''BUFFET'' is a word, used in Boxing, The boxers used boxing gloves, gave telling
blows. Paul did not want his body, to be his Master,he found good, as the outcome of
self-discipline.
''AND BRING IT UNTO SUBJECTION,'' or bondage. We have, Here, The Metaphor of The
Victor, leading the vanquished, as captives and slaves.
''LEST BY ANY MEANS, AFTER THAT I PREACHED TO OTHERS.'' ''PREACHED''= TO HERALD.'' A
Herald, at the games, announced the rules of the game, and called out the
competitors. So PAUL, IS BOTH A HERALD, AND A COMPETITOR.
''I SHOULD BE DISAPPROVED,'' or rejected. ''Adokimos'' word used by a Potter, who
puts a vessel on the shhelf, that has failed to pass the water test. Here, it is used
in a moral sense, by Paul--It means, not standing the test. Paul means rejected for
the prize [reward], not from entrance into the race.He will fail to win, if he breaks
the rules of the game.
What is the prize before Paul/ It is the reward of which he spoke in verse 18-hois
glorying of preaching A FREE GOSPEL.
Now, LISTEN, to continue publically confessing sins, committed BEFORE
JUSTIFICATION, is very insulting and injurious, to the Finished Work of Christ. He
everlastingly forgave the elect sinner of them. To reiterate those sins, calls
attention to One's Self.
PRESENT-DAY EVANGELISM capitalizes on repeated confessions, from former Dope
Addicts, Prise Fighters, Convicts, and so on.
Now, Get this truth; Dragging hearers through the mire, IS NOT NECESSARY, to
regenerate and convert sinners. The experience of others, convert no one. God alone,
converts.
LUKE 19;1-10
VERSE 1-''And Jesus entered, and passed through Jericho-''was passing through
Jericho''--Jesus was inside The Roman Jericho, with the procession.
VERSE 2-''And, behold, there was a man named Zaachaeus, which was the cheif among the
publicans, and he was rich.'' ''Cheif Publican.'' Jericho was an important trading
center for balsam, and Zaachaeus was the head of tax collections, in this region, a
sort of commissioner of taxes, with other publicans, serving under him.
3. He was seeking to see WHO Jesus was--
VERSE 3-''And he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and could not for the press,
because he was of little stature.'' He had heard MUCH about Jesus, and wanted to see
which one of the crowd was Jesus.
''for the press''-he was short, and the crowd was thick, and close.
VERSE 4-''And he ran before, ans cloimbed up into a sycomore tree to see him, for he
was to pass that way.'''--The tree was an wide-open one, with low branches, so he
could easily climb up it.
VERSE 5-''And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him,
Zachaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.'' In the
Effectual Call, God always calls the elect sinner by name. Has He called Yours/
''make haste, and come down,''=''come down in a hurry.''
VERSE 6-''And he made haste, and came down and received him joyfully,'' Luke uses the
same idiom. ''JOYFULLY''=Rejoicing. When God calls the elect sinner to Himself, it
causes him to REJOICE. . .
VERSE 7-[TURN]. Jesus was the hero of this crowd from Galilee, on their way to The
Passover. He shocked their sensibilities, and those of the JERICHO citizens, by
inviting Himself to be the guest of this Chief Publican, and notorious sinner, who
had robbed nearly all, in the city, by exorbitant taxes.
VERSE 8-[READ]. ''STOOD''-Jesus and Zacchaeus came to the house of Zacchaeus, and
were about to enter, when the crowd's murmur, became such a roar, that Zacchaeus
turned around and faced the crowd.
IF I have wrongfully exacted of any man''-A most significant admission and
confession. His own conscience was at work.
He may have heard audible murmurs from the crowd. HE HAD EXACTED MONEY WRONGFULLY,
AS THEY ALL KNEW.
''I RETURN FOUR-FOLD''=''I offer to do it, here and now, on this very spot.'' This
was The Mosaic Law-EXODUS 22;1-[TURN]; NUMBERS 5;6-8-[TURN].
Restitution is a good proof of a change of heart and conduct--Zacchaeus made
reparation to those,he had wronged, in his lost condition.
Paul related sins he committed BEFORE HIS CONVERSION, for the same reason. The
historical account was given by Luke in Acts 9. Paul repeated it to The HEBREWS in
Acts 22, in relation to GOD'S SOVEREIGNITY [GALATIANS 1;13-17], to show its
separateness from all human merit [PHILIPPIANS 3], and as a pattern for Timothy
[I TIMOTHY 1;12-17].
If A Christian says he has not sinned, he makes God a liar; and God's Word is
not in him [I JOHN 1;10].
SIN IS PRESENT IN EVERY SAINT, AND IN ORDER TO RETAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, IT MUST
BE CONFESSED.
Correction for sinning is part of Christ's Advocacy--I JOHN 2;1-2-[TURN].
Christians are children of light--EPHESIANS 5;8-9--''For ye were sometimes darkness,
but now are ye light in the Lord, walk as children of light. For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.''
VERSE 8--''BUT NOW LIGHT''--Jesus called His disciples,The lIGHT OF THE WORLD--
MATTHEW 5;14--''Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be
hid.''
VERSE 9--GALATIANS 5;22-23-[TURN].
As The Light of The WORLD, Christians must reflect God's Light, and separate
Righteousness from Evil--EPHESIANS 5;11--''And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them.''
''HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP'' = ''HAVE NO PARTNERSHIP WITH.''
''REPROVE'' = Convict by turning on the light in darkness.''
The Ministry of Light does not terminate in believers. Light was wrought in them, by
The Holy Spirit, that His mission in the world, should be accomplished through them.
They work out The Salvation, God wrought in them--PHILIPPIANS 2;12-13-''Wherefore,
my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more
in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God
which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.''
VERSE 12-''not as in my presence only, but much more.'' They are not to render eye
service only,when Paul is there, but much more, when he is away.
''WORK OUT''--We are to work out that which God has put within us.
''WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING''-not slavish terror, but a serious caution. A serious and
trembling anxiety to do right.
PAUL HAS NO SYMPATHY WITH A COLD AND DEAD ORTHODOXY, OR FORMALISM, THAT KNOWS
NOTHING OF STRUGGLE AND GROWTH. He exhorts as if he were A Armenian, in addressing
men. He denies as if he were a Calvinist, in addressing God, and feels no
inconsistency in the 2 attitudes. He proclaims boldly both Divine Sovereignty and
Human Agency.
VERSE 13-READ ''WHICH WORKETH IN YOU''-God is the energy and energizer of The
Universe.
''BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO''-God does it all. But has put us to work also, and our
part is essential, though secondary, to GOD'S PART.
''FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE''-God's Will is behind it all.
We are Light,and light reflects its source. Every sunbeam calls attention, to
the mighty source of energy, from which it springs. A Believer, who reflects light,
calls attention, not to hiumself. but to God-matthew 5;16--''lET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE
BEFORE MAN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN
HEAVEN.''
Transformers break down electrical voltage, making it safe for human use. The
LIGHT OF GOD could not be looked upon, until it was ''stepped down.'' No One ever
beheld God's essential glory. HE VEILED his glory-''stepped down'' when Christ took
on human flesh.Then men beheld His Moral Glory-John 1;14-[Turn]. That Light is made
to shine through the recipients of GOD'S GRACE.
By its nature, light opposes darkness. They CANNOT make a truce. One, who
constantly pursues darkness, without reproving it, is naturally dark. But Christians
are not in darkness, though they temporarily walk in it, causing a loss of
fellowship which can be restored by walking in the light, confessing sins, and
relying on Christ's ADVOCACY.
is UNCONFESSED, SECRET SIN.
Confession at the private altar is sufficient to receive forgiveness and
cleansing for sin,known only to God, and an individual soul; but Forgiveness of
Plubic Sin necessitates confession One to Another.
You see, TRUE WORSHIP IS IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER,
UNTIL THEY HAVE RIGHTED THE WRONG. .. MATTHEW 5;23-24-[TURN].
Forgiveness is costly. GOD FORGIVES A REPENTANT SINNER BECAUSE OF THE SAVIOUR'S
SACRIFICE.
In the same way, it costs the forgiving heart to forgive Another's Transgression.
But, It is worth the price, for Forgiven Ones have forgiving spirits.
Flesh does not easily yield, but Christians ARE NOT DEBTORS TO THE FLESH-They crucify
the flesh--I CORINTHIANS 9;27-[TURN].
With one exception,, sins committed before salvation, should never be related,
because they were washed away, in Christ's blood.
I CORINTHIANS 9;27-''But I buffet my body''--Paul did not, like The Gnostics,
consider his flesh and soul, to be sinful, or evil.
''BUFFET'' is a word, used in Boxing, The boxers used boxing gloves, gave telling
blows. Paul did not want his body, to be his Master,he found good, as the outcome of
self-discipline.
''AND BRING IT UNTO SUBJECTION,'' or bondage. We have, Here, The Metaphor of The
Victor, leading the vanquished, as captives and slaves.
''LEST BY ANY MEANS, AFTER THAT I PREACHED TO OTHERS.'' ''PREACHED''= TO HERALD.'' A
Herald, at the games, announced the rules of the game, and called out the
competitors. So PAUL, IS BOTH A HERALD, AND A COMPETITOR.
''I SHOULD BE DISAPPROVED,'' or rejected. ''Adokimos'' word used by a Potter, who
puts a vessel on the shhelf, that has failed to pass the water test. Here, it is used
in a moral sense, by Paul--It means, not standing the test. Paul means rejected for
the prize [reward], not from entrance into the race.He will fail to win, if he breaks
the rules of the game.
What is the prize before Paul/ It is the reward of which he spoke in verse 18-hois
glorying of preaching A FREE GOSPEL.
Now, LISTEN, to continue publically confessing sins, committed BEFORE
JUSTIFICATION, is very insulting and injurious, to the Finished Work of Christ. He
everlastingly forgave the elect sinner of them. To reiterate those sins, calls
attention to One's Self.
PRESENT-DAY EVANGELISM capitalizes on repeated confessions, from former Dope
Addicts, Prise Fighters, Convicts, and so on.
Now, Get this truth; Dragging hearers through the mire, IS NOT NECESSARY, to
regenerate and convert sinners. The experience of others, convert no one. God alone,
converts.
LUKE 19;1-10
VERSE 1-''And Jesus entered, and passed through Jericho-''was passing through
Jericho''--Jesus was inside The Roman Jericho, with the procession.
VERSE 2-''And, behold, there was a man named Zaachaeus, which was the cheif among the
publicans, and he was rich.'' ''Cheif Publican.'' Jericho was an important trading
center for balsam, and Zaachaeus was the head of tax collections, in this region, a
sort of commissioner of taxes, with other publicans, serving under him.
3. He was seeking to see WHO Jesus was--
VERSE 3-''And he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and could not for the press,
because he was of little stature.'' He had heard MUCH about Jesus, and wanted to see
which one of the crowd was Jesus.
''for the press''-he was short, and the crowd was thick, and close.
VERSE 4-''And he ran before, ans cloimbed up into a sycomore tree to see him, for he
was to pass that way.'''--The tree was an wide-open one, with low branches, so he
could easily climb up it.
VERSE 5-''And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him,
Zachaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.'' In the
Effectual Call, God always calls the elect sinner by name. Has He called Yours/
''make haste, and come down,''=''come down in a hurry.''
VERSE 6-''And he made haste, and came down and received him joyfully,'' Luke uses the
same idiom. ''JOYFULLY''=Rejoicing. When God calls the elect sinner to Himself, it
causes him to REJOICE. . .
VERSE 7-[TURN]. Jesus was the hero of this crowd from Galilee, on their way to The
Passover. He shocked their sensibilities, and those of the JERICHO citizens, by
inviting Himself to be the guest of this Chief Publican, and notorious sinner, who
had robbed nearly all, in the city, by exorbitant taxes.
VERSE 8-[READ]. ''STOOD''-Jesus and Zacchaeus came to the house of Zacchaeus, and
were about to enter, when the crowd's murmur, became such a roar, that Zacchaeus
turned around and faced the crowd.
IF I have wrongfully exacted of any man''-A most significant admission and
confession. His own conscience was at work.
He may have heard audible murmurs from the crowd. HE HAD EXACTED MONEY WRONGFULLY,
AS THEY ALL KNEW.
''I RETURN FOUR-FOLD''=''I offer to do it, here and now, on this very spot.'' This
was The Mosaic Law-EXODUS 22;1-[TURN]; NUMBERS 5;6-8-[TURN].
Restitution is a good proof of a change of heart and conduct--Zacchaeus made
reparation to those,he had wronged, in his lost condition.
Paul related sins he committed BEFORE HIS CONVERSION, for the same reason. The
historical account was given by Luke in Acts 9. Paul repeated it to The HEBREWS in
Acts 22, in relation to GOD'S SOVEREIGNITY [GALATIANS 1;13-17], to show its
separateness from all human merit [PHILIPPIANS 3], and as a pattern for Timothy
[I TIMOTHY 1;12-17].
If A Christian says he has not sinned, he makes God a liar; and God's Word is
not in him [I JOHN 1;10].
SIN IS PRESENT IN EVERY SAINT, AND IN ORDER TO RETAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, IT MUST
BE CONFESSED.
Correction for sinning is part of Christ's Advocacy--I JOHN 2;1-2-[TURN].
Christians are children of light--EPHESIANS 5;8-9--''For ye were sometimes darkness,
but now are ye light in the Lord, walk as children of light. For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.''
VERSE 8--''BUT NOW LIGHT''--Jesus called His disciples,The lIGHT OF THE WORLD--
MATTHEW 5;14--''Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be
hid.''
VERSE 9--GALATIANS 5;22-23-[TURN].
As The Light of The WORLD, Christians must reflect God's Light, and separate
Righteousness from Evil--EPHESIANS 5;11--''And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them.''
''HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP'' = ''HAVE NO PARTNERSHIP WITH.''
''REPROVE'' = Convict by turning on the light in darkness.''
The Ministry of Light does not terminate in believers. Light was wrought in them, by
The Holy Spirit, that His mission in the world, should be accomplished through them.
They work out The Salvation, God wrought in them--PHILIPPIANS 2;12-13-''Wherefore,
my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more
in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God
which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.''
VERSE 12-''not as in my presence only, but much more.'' They are not to render eye
service only,when Paul is there, but much more, when he is away.
''WORK OUT''--We are to work out that which God has put within us.
''WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING''-not slavish terror, but a serious caution. A serious and
trembling anxiety to do right.
PAUL HAS NO SYMPATHY WITH A COLD AND DEAD ORTHODOXY, OR FORMALISM, THAT KNOWS
NOTHING OF STRUGGLE AND GROWTH. He exhorts as if he were A Armenian, in addressing
men. He denies as if he were a Calvinist, in addressing God, and feels no
inconsistency in the 2 attitudes. He proclaims boldly both Divine Sovereignty and
Human Agency.
VERSE 13-READ ''WHICH WORKETH IN YOU''-God is the energy and energizer of The
Universe.
''BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO''-God does it all. But has put us to work also, and our
part is essential, though secondary, to GOD'S PART.
''FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE''-God's Will is behind it all.
We are Light,and light reflects its source. Every sunbeam calls attention, to
the mighty source of energy, from which it springs. A Believer, who reflects light,
calls attention, not to hiumself. but to God-matthew 5;16--''lET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE
BEFORE MAN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN
HEAVEN.''
Transformers break down electrical voltage, making it safe for human use. The
LIGHT OF GOD could not be looked upon, until it was ''stepped down.'' No One ever
beheld God's essential glory. HE VEILED his glory-''stepped down'' when Christ took
on human flesh.Then men beheld His Moral Glory-John 1;14-[Turn]. That Light is made
to shine through the recipients of GOD'S GRACE.
By its nature, light opposes darkness. They CANNOT make a truce. One, who
constantly pursues darkness, without reproving it, is naturally dark. But Christians
are not in darkness, though they temporarily walk in it, causing a loss of
fellowship which can be restored by walking in the light, confessing sins, and
relying on Christ's ADVOCACY.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
GOD'S CHARACTER IS REVEALED BY RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS
First John declares that God is Light, Love, and Life.
There are 2 facets of God's Revelation in I John. THE JOY OF GOD IS LOVE, AND THE
JUDGMENT OF GOD IS LIGHT. Judgment and Joy ARE NOT CONTRADICTORY.
In I John 1;5-2;2, JOHN EMPHASIZED THREE MAJOR TRUTHS ABOUT LIGHT;
[1] Light depicts GOD'S CHARACTER.
[2] God's light shines into the hearts of His elect, to regenerate them.
[3] God's light revealls sin, in the lives of Christians--
We notice, first of all,
1. LIGHT DEPICTS GOD'S CHARACTER--I JOHN 1;5-[TURN].
Now, notice, JOHN DID NOT SAY, that He is ''A'' Light, or, ''THE'' Light, but that,
He ''IS'' Light.
The Lord is THE SOURCE of all light. In Him, there is ABSOLUTE Light, Absolute light
makes known to men, God's Being and Nature.
God is light without darkness. Hence, John positively and negatively described God's
Character.
Light is self-manifested. Men see by means of light, but THEY DO NOT SEE LIGHT,
ITSELF. God, too, is invisible.
Light is transparent. Transparency describes the purity of God's Character.
Light is unchanging. God is immutable. JESUS CHRIST REMAINS THE SAME [HEBREWS 13;8].
He is God, and changes not--[MALACHI 3;6].
There is no variableness, or, shadow of turning, with Him-JAMES 1;17-''Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.''
Light is active, and irresistible, and shines in darkness. Darkness is incapable of
overcoming it, and is forced to retreat.
Light is pure. It is incapable of adulteration, and allows no admixture. The Lord
Jesus Christ, The Light of The World, walked among men, He came into contact
with all kinds of filth. He talked with an adulterous woman, and cleansed her of her
sins. He also cleansed the leper.
Nevertheless, as the sun shines on a dunghill without contamination, so CHRIST
REMAINED IMPECCABLE.
''God is Light''--A Light Ray is composed of three separate rays--actinic,
luminiferous, calorific.
An Actinic ray is neither seen, nor felt-type of God the Father.
Lumniferous rays are both seen and felt-type of God the Son-I JOHN 1;1-[TURN].
Calorific ray is felt, but not seen-type of God the Holy Spirit.
LIGHT HAS ALL THE PRIMARY COLORS IN IT--BUT BECAUSE OF REFRACTION AND REFLECTION,
ONLY ONE COLOR IS SEEN AT A TIME. White and black are all the colors. White=all
color is relected. bLACK=ALL COLOR ABSORBED.
Colors represent characteristics or essence of God. The Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit all have same essence-omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, veracity,
love, absolute righteousness, immutability, eternal life, justice--not all seen at
the same time.
II. GOD'S LIGHT SHINES INTO THE HEARTS OF HIS ELECT TO REGENERATE THEM.
Light is irresistible. The Holy Spirit causes God's Light to shine, or to
illuminate His Own.
In God's Light, they see light--
PSALM 36;9-''For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see
light.''
2 CORINTHIANS 4;6-''For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath
shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.''
''GOD WHO COMMANDED''=''God who said''-paraphrase of Genesis 1;3-[Turn].
''HATH SHINED''-like a lamp, in the heart-MATTHEW 5;15-[Turn]. Miners carry a lamp on
their forehead, Christians carry one in their hearts, lit by the Spirit of GOD.
''TO GIVE THE LIGHT''-for illumination.
''IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST''-The Christian, who looks on Jesus' face, as Moses
looked on The Glory of God, will be able to give The Illumination of The Glory of
GOD-2 CORINTHIANS 2;10-[Turn].
III. GOD''S LIGHT REVEALS SIN, IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS
The Light, that shone into their hearts, to regenerate them, continues to shine, to
reveal sins, in their lives.
THREE FAULTS OF BELIEVERS, AND THE PROVISIONS FOR THEM ARE EXPLAINED IN IJOHN 1;6-
2;2. Each begins with the phrase ''IF WE SAY'' [1;6, 8, 10].
[1] If a believer says, he has fellowship with the Lord, but walks in darkness, HE
LIES, AND DOES NOT THE TRUTH-[V. 6].
Cleansing for the 1st thought is Walking in the Light [v. 7].
[2] If a believer says, he has no sin, he deceives himself, and the truth is not in
him [v. 8].
Cleansing for the fault RESULTS FROM The confession of sin-[v. 9].
[3] If A Christian says HE HAS NOT SINNED, He makes God a liar, and GOD'S WORD IS NOT
IN HIM [V. 10].
Cleansing for the 3rd fault is JESUS' ADVOCACY--I JOHN 2;1-2-[TURN].
I JOHN 1;6 tells us, that if A Christian sins, he does not fellowship with the Lord,
but walks in the darkness, and LIES, and does not the truth.
Holiness and Wisdom is LIGHT, but Wickedness and Folly is DARKNESS.
Truth is LIGHT, but Error is DARKNESS.
Now get this truth--EVERY PRIVILEGED RELATIONSHIP CARRIES CORRESPONDING
RESPONSIBILITY.
Wherever The Holy Spirit functions, one must deal with the problem of Sin.
One, who claims, to have fellowship with God, yet walks in darkness, LIES.
Now, ignorance of TRUTH EXCUSES NO ONE. Consequently, Children of Light, who live
contrary to truth, walk in Spiritual Darkness. Christians, filled with earthly
aspirations, experince a diminishing interest in God's Word. Their concern about
spiritual things wanes, and they backslide.
A Person, who talks about the truth, without walking in it, shows he is walking in
darkness. The corrective for walking in darkness is to be sanctified, and cleansed
by Jesus' blood--I JOHN 1;7-[turn].
He, who knows truth, and continually walks in it, follows the path, that grows
brighter--PROVERBS 4;18-But the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.''
If a Christian says, he has no sin, he deceives himself, and The Truth is not in
him [I JOHN 1;8]. the one claiming present sinlessness because of personal salvation,
deceives himself, if he incorrectly reports his state.
The Old Sin Nature REMAINS in every truly regenerate person. And unless a saint,
walks in The Light,the old nature will ne manifested.
Christians, with unconfessed sins flee, seeking shelter from Scriptural Light-
John 3;20-21--[TURN]. Christians are cleansed fron their sins, when they confess
them to God-I JOHN 1;9.
Restorative Forgiveness is CONDITIONAL...
Now unconfessed sins do not remove Salvation, because Everlasting Forgiveness is
UNCONDITIONAL... It does however, require God's Chastening.
BEFORE anyone will break with sin, he MUST DESIRE to be rid of it-PROVERBS 28;13-
''He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh
them shall have mercy.''
When one accustoms himself to sinning, he becomes unaware of it.
The Book of JOB instructs us, how to abhor sin in ourselves, and to repent.
The proclamation of doctrine reaches the hearts of sinning Christians, and causes
them, to repent.
[to be continued].
There are 2 facets of God's Revelation in I John. THE JOY OF GOD IS LOVE, AND THE
JUDGMENT OF GOD IS LIGHT. Judgment and Joy ARE NOT CONTRADICTORY.
In I John 1;5-2;2, JOHN EMPHASIZED THREE MAJOR TRUTHS ABOUT LIGHT;
[1] Light depicts GOD'S CHARACTER.
[2] God's light shines into the hearts of His elect, to regenerate them.
[3] God's light revealls sin, in the lives of Christians--
We notice, first of all,
1. LIGHT DEPICTS GOD'S CHARACTER--I JOHN 1;5-[TURN].
Now, notice, JOHN DID NOT SAY, that He is ''A'' Light, or, ''THE'' Light, but that,
He ''IS'' Light.
The Lord is THE SOURCE of all light. In Him, there is ABSOLUTE Light, Absolute light
makes known to men, God's Being and Nature.
God is light without darkness. Hence, John positively and negatively described God's
Character.
Light is self-manifested. Men see by means of light, but THEY DO NOT SEE LIGHT,
ITSELF. God, too, is invisible.
Light is transparent. Transparency describes the purity of God's Character.
Light is unchanging. God is immutable. JESUS CHRIST REMAINS THE SAME [HEBREWS 13;8].
He is God, and changes not--[MALACHI 3;6].
There is no variableness, or, shadow of turning, with Him-JAMES 1;17-''Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.''
Light is active, and irresistible, and shines in darkness. Darkness is incapable of
overcoming it, and is forced to retreat.
Light is pure. It is incapable of adulteration, and allows no admixture. The Lord
Jesus Christ, The Light of The World, walked among men, He came into contact
with all kinds of filth. He talked with an adulterous woman, and cleansed her of her
sins. He also cleansed the leper.
Nevertheless, as the sun shines on a dunghill without contamination, so CHRIST
REMAINED IMPECCABLE.
''God is Light''--A Light Ray is composed of three separate rays--actinic,
luminiferous, calorific.
An Actinic ray is neither seen, nor felt-type of God the Father.
Lumniferous rays are both seen and felt-type of God the Son-I JOHN 1;1-[TURN].
Calorific ray is felt, but not seen-type of God the Holy Spirit.
LIGHT HAS ALL THE PRIMARY COLORS IN IT--BUT BECAUSE OF REFRACTION AND REFLECTION,
ONLY ONE COLOR IS SEEN AT A TIME. White and black are all the colors. White=all
color is relected. bLACK=ALL COLOR ABSORBED.
Colors represent characteristics or essence of God. The Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit all have same essence-omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, veracity,
love, absolute righteousness, immutability, eternal life, justice--not all seen at
the same time.
II. GOD'S LIGHT SHINES INTO THE HEARTS OF HIS ELECT TO REGENERATE THEM.
Light is irresistible. The Holy Spirit causes God's Light to shine, or to
illuminate His Own.
In God's Light, they see light--
PSALM 36;9-''For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see
light.''
2 CORINTHIANS 4;6-''For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath
shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.''
''GOD WHO COMMANDED''=''God who said''-paraphrase of Genesis 1;3-[Turn].
''HATH SHINED''-like a lamp, in the heart-MATTHEW 5;15-[Turn]. Miners carry a lamp on
their forehead, Christians carry one in their hearts, lit by the Spirit of GOD.
''TO GIVE THE LIGHT''-for illumination.
''IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST''-The Christian, who looks on Jesus' face, as Moses
looked on The Glory of God, will be able to give The Illumination of The Glory of
GOD-2 CORINTHIANS 2;10-[Turn].
III. GOD''S LIGHT REVEALS SIN, IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS
The Light, that shone into their hearts, to regenerate them, continues to shine, to
reveal sins, in their lives.
THREE FAULTS OF BELIEVERS, AND THE PROVISIONS FOR THEM ARE EXPLAINED IN IJOHN 1;6-
2;2. Each begins with the phrase ''IF WE SAY'' [1;6, 8, 10].
[1] If a believer says, he has fellowship with the Lord, but walks in darkness, HE
LIES, AND DOES NOT THE TRUTH-[V. 6].
Cleansing for the 1st thought is Walking in the Light [v. 7].
[2] If a believer says, he has no sin, he deceives himself, and the truth is not in
him [v. 8].
Cleansing for the fault RESULTS FROM The confession of sin-[v. 9].
[3] If A Christian says HE HAS NOT SINNED, He makes God a liar, and GOD'S WORD IS NOT
IN HIM [V. 10].
Cleansing for the 3rd fault is JESUS' ADVOCACY--I JOHN 2;1-2-[TURN].
I JOHN 1;6 tells us, that if A Christian sins, he does not fellowship with the Lord,
but walks in the darkness, and LIES, and does not the truth.
Holiness and Wisdom is LIGHT, but Wickedness and Folly is DARKNESS.
Truth is LIGHT, but Error is DARKNESS.
Now get this truth--EVERY PRIVILEGED RELATIONSHIP CARRIES CORRESPONDING
RESPONSIBILITY.
Wherever The Holy Spirit functions, one must deal with the problem of Sin.
One, who claims, to have fellowship with God, yet walks in darkness, LIES.
Now, ignorance of TRUTH EXCUSES NO ONE. Consequently, Children of Light, who live
contrary to truth, walk in Spiritual Darkness. Christians, filled with earthly
aspirations, experince a diminishing interest in God's Word. Their concern about
spiritual things wanes, and they backslide.
A Person, who talks about the truth, without walking in it, shows he is walking in
darkness. The corrective for walking in darkness is to be sanctified, and cleansed
by Jesus' blood--I JOHN 1;7-[turn].
He, who knows truth, and continually walks in it, follows the path, that grows
brighter--PROVERBS 4;18-But the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.''
If a Christian says, he has no sin, he deceives himself, and The Truth is not in
him [I JOHN 1;8]. the one claiming present sinlessness because of personal salvation,
deceives himself, if he incorrectly reports his state.
The Old Sin Nature REMAINS in every truly regenerate person. And unless a saint,
walks in The Light,the old nature will ne manifested.
Christians, with unconfessed sins flee, seeking shelter from Scriptural Light-
John 3;20-21--[TURN]. Christians are cleansed fron their sins, when they confess
them to God-I JOHN 1;9.
Restorative Forgiveness is CONDITIONAL...
Now unconfessed sins do not remove Salvation, because Everlasting Forgiveness is
UNCONDITIONAL... It does however, require God's Chastening.
BEFORE anyone will break with sin, he MUST DESIRE to be rid of it-PROVERBS 28;13-
''He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh
them shall have mercy.''
When one accustoms himself to sinning, he becomes unaware of it.
The Book of JOB instructs us, how to abhor sin in ourselves, and to repent.
The proclamation of doctrine reaches the hearts of sinning Christians, and causes
them, to repent.
[to be continued].
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