02/19/14 EVERYONE NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR SINFUL PAST.

02/19/14 EVERYONE NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR SINFUL PAST.

People mistakenly think that forgiveness of their past life is all that is necessary for salvation. However, Jesus said that we need to bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. This means that we need to change our direction and our station in life, in as far as it is related to following, obeying, trusting, representing God. If we don't continue to turn from the way of sin (through repentance and following Christ), and if we don't let others know (through confessing faith in Christ) that we have turned from our self centered and self trusting ways, we cannot progress in faith, in fact, we may not be able to continue in faith.

The problem with not publicly repenting, following and confessing Christ, is that we leave people with the impression that our own faulty attempt at righteousness was sufficient for our relationship with God. Just as people need to see the totally rebellious person give public acknowledgment for salvation from sin and shame (the reason for baptism in the New Testament), people need to see Christians who lived outwardly admirable lives, openly acknowledge that they had lived a life of hidden sin, covered by moral and religious facade.

The sin of pride needs to be acknowledged and abandoned.

This does not mean a gross and gory detail of our past. But it does mean refusing honor and glory that rightly belongs to God. Otherwise we rob God of His praise, and we rob other people of saving truth.

Here is one example of Paul confessing his own inability to save himself.

Philippians 3:3-9
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: