confession

Is Forgiveness Like a Debit Card?

July 17, 2015 // 49 Comments

Are you completely forgiven or partly forgiven? It’s a simple question that reveals whether you appreciate all Christ did for you on the cross. Recently I heard a critic of the grace message say two contradictory statements: Christ paid for your complete redemption (amen!) but you are not completely forgiven [...]

Are Grace Preachers are Against Confession?

September 4, 2014 // 72 Comments

“Hypergrace preachers say it’s wrong to confess sins. They say confession is a form of unbelief.” Ever heard that? It’s not true. Every hyper-grace preacher believes in the power of confession. We say things like, “confession is good for you,” and “confession is healthy.” But what is [...]

1 John 1:9 – Ask the Right Question

June 3, 2014 // 85 Comments

In many grace books it is common to find some discussion on 1 John 1:9. This verse is special because it is the only verse in the new covenant that appears to link confession of sins with God’s forgiveness. In his book Pure Grace, Clark Whitten writes: Whenever the subjects of sin and the need of confession are [...]

6 examples of confession in the Bible

November 4, 2012 // 21 Comments

Confession has become a touchy subject in the grace community. Judging by some of the comments I have received in the past week, there are some folks who think we must never confess sins, that to do so is to slap Jesus in the face and run back into works-based religiosity. It’s true that confession has been [...]

Healthy vs Unhealthy Confession

October 28, 2012 // 23 Comments

Grace is God’s response to our messes. If you don’t acknowledge your messes, you’ll never receive his grace. Confession is one way to receive grace and break the power of sin. But confession is poorly understood. Like the word repentance, confession has been mangled through the machinery of man-made [...]

Is Confession Good for You?

October 25, 2012 // 38 Comments

Nothing winds me up faster than telling people they must do things like confess to be forgiven. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, confessing your sins does not compel God to forgive you. God does not forgive us on account of our confession but in accordance with the riches of his grace (Eph 1:7). [...]

1 John 1:9 – Something old, something new

June 8, 2012 // 71 Comments

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What’s the problem with 1 John 1:9? The problem is that it’s in the wrong part of the Bible. It’s a classic piece of old covenant theology that somehow found its way into the new. It’s on [...]

Want to be a transparent Christian? Then reveal what’s really inside

July 14, 2011 // 30 Comments

Many years ago I participated in a street outreach in Australia. With our loud and upbeat music we soon attracted a large crowd. This was good. Sinners were going to hear the gospel and get saved. Then the preacher got up to speak and it all went pear-shaped. “I have a lust problem.” Oh-oh. Instead of telling [...]

10 Myths about the Holy Spirit

May 11, 2011 // 112 Comments

One of the biggest signs a believer does not fully understand what happened at the cross of the Calvary, is that they are scared of the Holy Spirit. They view him as a Convictor and Policeman even though Jesus called him the Comforter and Counselor. Their perceptions are shaped by old covenant traditions rather [...]

12 reasons why you don’t need to confess-to-be-forgiven

January 14, 2011 // 170 Comments

The grace of God has many expressions, but forgiveness is the first. Miss forgiveness and you’ll miss grace. How do we set aside grace? One way is to treat forgiveness as something other than a gift. If you work to earn what God has given, then you have made the cross of Christ of no effect. You have set aside [...]

Son or sinner – what are you confessing?

January 10, 2011 // 44 Comments

Imagine hearing a sermon like this: “Marriage is wonderful. Marriage is a gift from God. God wants everyone to enjoy the gift of marriage. If you give Him just $50 today, God is so faithful that He will release upon you the blessed state of marriage.” How would you respond to that invitation? If you were a [...]

Confession, Conviction, Confusion!

January 4, 2011 // 58 Comments

Did Jesus sneak out of heaven against His Father’s wishes to come and die for our sins? Did He distract the Holy Spirit then slip away on His own initiative to shed His blood for our forgiveness? Of course not! Yet judging by some of the comments I get on this site, it’s clear that some think that God the Son [...]