Sunday, September 6, 2026

Christians Sin and Must Confess to be Cleansed

In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, God killed them both for lying to the Holy Spirit, but He never said they were not saved or that the Holy Spirit was removed from them.

If the couple had not been born again, He would not have disciplined them.

Hebrews 12:8 "If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."

Also, God says this to believers who sin:

1 John 2:1-2 "1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

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

God never reneges on his promises; even when we fail, He does not take back His promise.

2 Timothy 2:12-13 "…12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; 13if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

Born-again believers may sin, but they do not deny Him. And God deals with them as He does with His children. They do not lose their family status.

Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights."

Revelation 3:19 "Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent."

Why do we repent as believers? We do it to grow in holiness because we love Christ Who lives in us. We are not able to live guilt free and cleansed of the sin if we do not confess it.

1 John 1:8-10 "…8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us."

We know believers sin because we are trapped in this body of flesh that we must battle continually. The Spirit within us is sin-free, but the body is not. When we die, we go to God, but our flesh does not go because it is sinful.

Psalm 32:5 "Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah"

Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy."

Galatians 5:16-17 " 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want."

1 Thessalonians 4:1 "Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more."

It Could Be Today!

A brother asked me what I meant when I said; "It could be today." Here was my response to him.

In the old days, after the Jews were dispersed throughout the world, they had a saying in their hope of returning to their homeland: "next year in Jerusalem." Now I say, "It could be today," as we are approaching the final homegoing for believers.

Believers in Christ are looking every day for His return in the clouds and our homegoing.

Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 WAITING FOR OUR BLESSED HOPE, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."

I texted two friends, "It could be today", and they immediately knew what I meant because we discuss this expectation when we are together. What a joy we feel as we ponder going home to Jesus Christ our King.