Bible Study - No Doubt (1) - SUre of Forgiveness - 1 John 1:5-2:2 - SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

 

Bible Study – No Doubt (1) – Sure of Forgiveness – September 5, 2021

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled, “No Doubt: Six Things We Can Know for Sure.”

Our focus scripture is 1 John 1:5-2:2.

We are forgiven when we confess our sin, ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins, ask HIM into our hearts and walk with CHRIST.

Christianity is not a religion; it is a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST. GOD sent JESUS to earth for one purpose. What was that purpose?

JESUS was in Heaven with GOD before HE willingly came to earth to be born a human, live as 100% human and dying as a human.

What was the purpose of JESUS coming to earth? First, how do we know HE was in Heaven? HE said so and the Bible records numerous references. Let’s consider some:

Ephesians 1:3-5: ³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Genesis 1:26: ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make man^[e] in^[f] our image, according to our likeness. 

Who makes up the us? It is GOD The FATHER, GOD The SON and GOD The Holy Spirit.

Let’s fast forward to John 1:1-4 - 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. ⁴ In him was life,^[a] and that life was the light of men. ⁵ That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome^[b] it.

WHO is The Word? The Word is JESUS.

In this next scripture JESUS was praying to GOD, HIS FATHER.

Let’s consider John 17:4-5: ⁴ I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.

Yes, JESUS knew where HE came from and had the power to withdraw from HIS Divine Calling but JESUS chose to give HIS sinless life upon the cross by the shedding of HIS blood to pay, in full, for all of our sins. JESUS opened the path between man and GOD. It is a gift and as with all gifts, each person must accept it.

What is the “it.” “It” is eternal life through the miracle of Spiritual-birth. GOD’S Spirit, The Holy Spirit, unites with our human spirit and a miracle happens quicker than thought. All who ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins and for JESUS to come into their hearts are instantly, Spiritually born into GOD’S Family as HIS Son or Daughter.

Once we are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family we do not sin; or do we? That is the subject of our today’s study. The topic is the topic of the Apostle John in our selected scripture. Why should we pay attention to what John wrote? Let’s explore!

Let’s read 1 John 1:5-7:

Fellowship with God

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. ⁶ If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. ⁷ If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 

JESUS had instructed HIS disciples along their walk with HIM before HIS crucifixion. HE continued to instruct them following the 40 days after HIS resurrection, leading up to HIS ascension. HIS disciples were steeped in information and some application but what they heard and saw needed to be refined. I am reminded of the time when JESUS and HIS disciples were entering a town as recorded in Luke 9:51-54:

⁵¹ When the days were coming to a close for him to be taken up, he determined^[m] to journey to Jerusalem. ⁵² He sent messengers ahead of himself, and on the way, they entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for him. ⁵³ But they did not welcome him, because he determined to journey to Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” ^[n]

⁵⁵ But he turned and rebuked them,^[o] 56 and they went to another village.

I can relate. But What was missing? They needed to be fully equipped and so do all who accept JESUS as their Savior. This includes us.

So, what was missing in the disciples? It was the indwelling Holy Spirit and JESUS instructed HIS disciples, the twelve and others as identified in Acts 1:4-8 and 12-14 to do what? JESUS knew that GOD was going to send a special gift to all who placed their faith in JESUS after HE arrived in Heaven ----

⁴ While he (JESUS) was^[a] with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³ When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ They all were continually united in prayer,^[b] along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

All was in place for the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell those who placed their faith in JESUS. We can have head knowledge but unless we have heart knowledge provided by the indwelling Holy Spirit, we serve JESUS in the flesh and not as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ disciple, John, was sharing the Spiritual knowledge JESUS had revealed to him. May the indwelling Holy Spirit reveal truth to each of us as we study this lesson. Truth is light, Holy light that reveals every truth and untruth. GOD is light and is the source of Spiritual Light.

The transfiguration of JESUS was a divine test. GOD’S Holy Light would have revealed any flaw in JESUS. The presence of Moses, representing the Law and Elijah, representing the prophets were present to either approve or disapprove JESUS’ adherence to the Law or what was written about HIM by the prophets. JESUS passed GOD’S test. The sinless Lamb of GOD was approved to go to the cross and give HIS physical life to pay, in full, for sin by shedding HIS sinless blood and giving HIS physical life to atone for sin. Once the barrier of sin was removed, the path to GOD would be open for all who place their faith in JESUS to receive salvation through faith in JESUS and have free access to GOD 24/7.

Salvation is the beginning of building the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Once a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins and for JESUS to come into his or her life, that simple action, yet powerful, triggers the miracle of Spiritual birth. GOD’S Spirit unites with the human spirit and a person is born Spiritually and becomes eternally the child of GOD; bound for Heaven at the death of their physical body. Thus, the Spirit-born person walks in the light of truth.

Walking in the light is the process of building the right relationship with JESUS and GOD as led by the Holy Spirit. Yes, we will stump our toes but that will be learning experiences allowed by GOD to make us stronger and build our faith.

Do you recall a quote from Dr. Vance Havner, “Practice in the dark what you have learned in the light!”

All Christians have an enemy and that is Satan. Satan’s goal is to first prevent you from becoming a Christian but if you get past his tricks, then to prevent you from becoming a Christian who walks in the light, trusting JESUS.

What are some of the things Satan does? Let’s read on ---

Let’s read 1 John 1:8-10:

⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Yes, all of the sins of a Spirit-born Christian are forgiven and washed away by the shed blood of JESUS. Oh, goody, then we can live like we want too? No! What does our scripture reveal to us?

All Spirit-born Christians sin and to deny it places shackles around our witness and our ability to walk in the light.

So, what do we do about it? Let’s read on.

Let’s read 1 John 2:1-2:

2 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. ² He himself is the atoning sacrifice^[a] for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

“I am writing you these things so that you may not sin.” Not confessing our sin is sin! We need to be real. We do sin and what are we to do about it? Confess it! JESUS died once for our sin. Is the passion of JESUS adequate for the rest of our lives upon earth? YES!!!

Once we were born physically, can we be born again physically? NO!

Once we have asked JESUS to forgive us for our sins and for HIM to come into our lives we are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family. Our eternal salvation is secure and we cannot be Spiritually born for a second time.

But is that a license to live like we desire? NO! We are to walk in the light of what JESUS did for us. We cannot save ourselves by works or doing our very best as a human. Once we are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, we are light. Now, that is exciting.

Once we accept JESUS as our Savior, we are eternally secure to walk in the light and to be the light of the world. Therefore, we represent JESUS and the Kingdom of GOD. We are ambassadors for CHRIST.

If we live like the rest of the world, there is no distinction between Spirit-born Christians and any other person. So, our message becomes, “Why should anyone be a Christian?” Christians are to be different than those without JESUS. Why?

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:21 - ²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As Spirit-born, when we stand before GOD, we are pure and sinless before HIM. We are righteous. How can that be? GOD says so!!! Faith in JESUS means “You pass GOD’S test.”

Christian’s sin and when we do, we are to confess our sins. Unconfessed sin gives Satan opportunity to control our lives by luring us into sins that enslave us and make us dependent.

Satan is our accuser before GOD when we sin. JESUS is our advocate and pleads our case before GOD. JESUS, tells GOD, no (insert your name) is sinless because he or she is covered by MY shed blood through faith.

When we sin, we need to confess it and not let it take hold of us. When we participate in the LORD’S Supper that is also a good time to ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts to reveal any unconfessed sin in us. Sin often lurks and tries to hide until it enslaves.

We read in Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Remember what we read in 2 Corinthians 5:20 - ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

All Christians are called to represent JESUS, who is the light of the world, to others. FATHER, give us the boldness to speak as The Hoy Spirit prompts us.

Blessings!!!