Repent to be Saved, Confess to be Cleansed

We repent to be saved and "confess" as a born again believer to continue to be cleansed. When there is no confession there is no cleansing. Our spiritual growth is dependent on admitting our failings and desiring to be changed by Christ.

Our salvation is secure, but cleansing is not automatic, it comes when we want to be cleansed.

If we resist the Holy Spirit then God will bring to us things that break our stubborn will until we confess.

Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"

Those who love their sin, continue in it and defend it, most likely were never born again.

Ephesians 4:30
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

Luke 12:10
"And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him."

Hebrews 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?"

Acts 5:3
"But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?"

Those who lie against the Holy Spirit are being influenced by the devil. The walk in darkness no matter how much they attempt to convince others of their goodness.

Ananias and Sapphira were those who wanted to impress others with their giving, while lying about just how much. These are people who are more concerned about their appearances as good people than they are about truth and righteousness.

As born again believers we want to obey the Word, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and resist the temptation to be concerned about being popular with people.

Just like Ananias and Sapphira, there are those who will promote a particular humanistic doctrine to be elevated by man, rather than speak in honesty to be approved by God. Let's consider that when we go about our lives, do we speak truth or do we speak to impress man??