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[0:00] I'm not certain whether he'll let me digress just a little. But the way you're sitting this morning makes me think I'm back teaching biology.

[0:23] And I just thought I'd mention, keep your eyes open. Toby and I, we did our three-quarter mile walk this morning.

[0:36] And in the neighborhood, we have our tree. It's a maple tree. And at least a quarter of it is already red.

[0:50] Red and oranges. And just a scientific fact. What happens is, as fall approaches, photosynthesis in those leaves is still going.

[1:07] But at the base of the leaf, it starts to shut off. Leaves the glucose in the leaf. And glucose turns into something called anthocyanin.

[1:23] And anthocyanin is the chemical name for what makes the leaf red. Carotenoids.

[1:36] For carrots, what color is that? Orange carotenoids. And there's exanthophils.

[1:47] And of course, you're all aware of chlorophyll. That's what disappears. So, praise the Lord for his creation. And please turn to 2 Corinthians.

[2:06] The very last chapter. And be aware.

[2:19] That the message this morning. Is the benefits of belief. Part three. And we're in 2 Corinthians.

[2:32] Chapter 13. Verses 5 through 11. Test yourselves.

[2:46] To see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you not recognize this about yourselves.

[2:59] That Jesus Christ is in you. Unless indeed you fail the test. But I trust that you will realize.

[3:13] That we ourselves do not fail the test. Now, we pray to God. That you do no wrong.

[3:26] Not that we ourselves may appear approved. But that you may do what is right. Even though we may appear unapproved.

[3:40] For we can do nothing against the truth. But only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak.

[3:55] But you are strong. This we also pray for. That you be made complete. For this reason.

[4:09] I am writing these things. While absent. So that when present. I need not use. Severity.

[4:20] In accordance with the authority. Which the Lord gave me. For building up. And not for tearing down. Finally brethren.

[4:34] Rejoice. Be made complete. Be comforted. Be like minded. Live in peace.

[4:48] And the God of love and peace. Will be with you. Thank you Gary.

[5:01] I want to draw your attention to the hymn. That we just sang. Because. The last stanza. Really relates. Very clearly. To what we are talking about.

[5:12] This morning. Charles Wesley. Great hymn writer. Who wrote. Over 6,000 hymns. Many of which. Are in our hymnal. Says.

[5:22] No condemnation. Now. How I dread. How I dread. Jesus. And all in him. Is mine. Alive in him. My living head.

[5:33] And clothed. In righteousness divine. Bold. I approach. The eternal throne. And claim the crown. Through Christ.

[5:44] My own. Amazing love. How can it be. That thou my God. Shouldst die for me. We decided to embark upon this brief series.

[5:54] Well. I must correct that I suppose. I've never done a series. It was brief. But anyway. This series. On the benefits of being a believer. Because.

[6:06] We see it. As being absolutely critical. To spiritual growth. And by that I mean. I suspect that pastors across the country.

[6:16] Have been. Somewhat discouraged. Over folks. Whom they have known for a number of years. Who have professed salvation. But they never seem to grow and mature.

[6:27] They always seem to remain in spiritual infancy. No matter what comes along. There just doesn't seem to be any progress. And there are a couple of reasons for that. One of which may be.

[6:39] As the passage that Gary just read. Indicated. Is that. Some people. May be assuming. That they are a believer. And in fact.

[6:50] They are not. And the apostle Paul said to. To examine yourselves. And see whether you be in the faith. It is time. For serious introspection.

[7:02] And he went on to talk about. Christ dwelling in you. Does Christ dwell in you? Have you. An appreciation. Of his presence. Do you know.

[7:13] On what basis. Christ dwells in you. Because the apostle said. Further in. In 8. 9. I think it is. Of Romans. That if. Any man.

[7:24] Is not in Christ. He is none of his. So. This is absolutely critical. Some people. Some people. Assume that they are believers.

[7:35] Because they belong to a good family. And their mother is a Christian. And their father is a Christian. And maybe their grandpa was a. A methodist evangelist.

[7:45] Or something. So they just think. That they are kind of. Born into Christianity. And they get it by osmosis. It doesn't work that way. Someone has said. That God has. A multitude of children.

[7:56] But he doesn't have any grandchildren. Everyone is a first generational being. If they are in Christ. So you need to examine yourself. And ask yourself.

[8:06] On what basis do you believe. You are in a right relationship with God. If it is based on some performance. Or some good deed. Or some good intention.

[8:17] Or something that you have done. That will not suffice. And the question that I refer to many times. The Barnhouse question. Is the most. Probably the most diagnostic question I can think of.

[8:31] If you were to die. And stand before your creator. And he asked you. Why should I let you come into my heaven. What would you tell him? There must be a thousand wrong answers.

[8:44] But there is only one right answer. Do you have that right answer? The right answer is. You should let me come into your heaven. Because even though I don't deserve it. Jesus Christ died in my place.

[8:56] As my substitute for sin. And my trust and confidence is in him. And that's all I have. That's the only answer God is going to accept.

[9:09] Because that is the provision that God made. For your salvation. Any other answer. Is inadequate. And will not be accepted.

[9:20] So. Some people. Never grow in Christ. Because they have never entered the new birth. They don't have a basis for growing. It's hard to grow. If you've never been alive.

[9:32] So. When you are quickened. When you are regenerated. By the spirit of God. He makes you a new person. On the inside.

[9:43] We don't know how he does that. But he does. It is an operation. That the spirit of God. That the spirit of God.

[9:53] performs on your human spirit. And it radically revolutionizes you. On the inside. This is what Paul meant. When he said. If any man be in Christ. He is a new creation.

[10:05] Old things have passed away. Behold. All things have become new. So. Being in Christ. Is identical to. Becoming a Christian. Being regenerated. Being baptized.

[10:17] By the Holy Spirit. Into the body of Christ. Without the presence of water. Being born again. Being made. A believer. Whatever you want to call it.

[10:27] All of those terms. Refer to one and the same thing. But if that. Has not been. Your story. If you cannot identify. With that. There is no reason. Why you should grow spiritually.

[10:38] In fact. You can't. You can pick up. Bits of information. But you can't. Put it together. And it cannot have. Any significance. In your life. And then the second reason. Is really the one.

[10:49] That we are. Trying to develop. For this brief series. And that is this. There are people. Who have had that experience. Christ does dwell in them.

[11:01] They are believers. And when they die. They are going to heaven. But there still. Doesn't seem to be. Any growth. Or maturity.

[11:13] Any real seriousness. Of purpose. In their Christian life. What do we attribute that to? We've already talked about. One cause. That is. They may not even be in Christ.

[11:23] So they need to examine themselves. But for those who are. I am persuaded. That unless you know. The doctrine.

[11:33] Of positional truth. Who and what you really are. In Christ. You do not have a basis. For growing. It is this information. That provides.

[11:44] Maximum stability. In the life. It is this information. That gives you. A grip. On life. That gives you. An appreciation. For spiritual things.

[11:56] That allows you. To deal. Head on. With issues. That come into your life. Some of which. May be. Very. Very painful. Very negative. Very difficult. Yet.

[12:07] If you have this fortification. If you know. Where you stand. With God. And you know. How and why you know. Where you stand. With God. It will. Boy you up.

[12:18] And sustain you. In times of crisis. And it will also. Enhance. The good times. So that. It makes the good. Even better.

[12:30] And it lessens. The difficult. The pain. And the heartache. That comes into every life. It all begins. With knowing. Where you stand. With God. That.

[12:41] Provides. The basis. For your security. Only. In knowing that. And appreciating that. Can you really.

[12:52] Move out. And grow. Be edified. Thrive. In the Christian life. There is. I'm told. I was talking one time. With a. With a.

[13:04] An obstetric nurse. And she said. There is a. I don't know. How the subject came about. But anyway. I got a little bit. Of an education. She said. There is a condition.

[13:15] That sometimes. Is experienced. Among newborns. And. It is called. A failure. To thrive. And here.

[13:25] Is a newborn baby. And. Obviously. There are a host. Of. Of. Physical. And maybe. Neurological. Difficulties. Or abnormalities.

[13:36] Taking place. In that. Little baby. But. It just. Doesn't make it. It doesn't. Take nourishment. It doesn't. Respond.

[13:47] And they call it. Failure. To thrive. And. The poor little thing. Despite all. Of the best medical attention. That can be given to it. It just.

[13:58] Fades away. It just. Dies. It never. Begins. To grow. Or thrive. Or develop. It is. A rather rare condition. But it does happen.

[14:09] I think. Among some Christians. There may be a spiritual. Failure. To thrive. Where. They just. Don't seem to ever.

[14:20] Get in gear. Never seem to get on track. Never seem to really. Develop. Growth. Is stunted. At best. And I am satisfied. That it is.

[14:32] Connected. With this. Because you've. Got to know. Where you stand. With God. And you've got to know. What the basis. For that is. It not only. Is spiritually. Necessary.

[14:43] But it is. Emotionally. Necessary. As well. And the best thing. I can liken this to. Is. Is your. Your marriage. Relationship. Those of you. Who are married. Do you know.

[14:55] Where you stand. With your mate. I hope you do. I hope you enjoy. Their uncondemned. Traditional love. Because you need that. You need to know.

[15:06] That your mate. Is on your side. And that come thick. Or thin. No matter what. They will be there. For you. That builds.

[15:18] Stability. Stability. In the relationship. But if you are. In a relationship. Where you don't know. Where you stand. With them. It's very iffy. One day.

[15:29] You think they love you. The next day. You think they don't. And it is a very tenuous situation. It provides no blessing, no comfort, no security, no stability.

[15:42] You're just always kind of up in the air dangling. Well, I wonder where I really stand with them. I don't know how I really... What a terrible way to live a life. And some believers do that spiritually because they've never understood the principles of grace.

[15:58] And they are locked into the performance mode, which is typical of immaturity among believers, because they tend to think that everything hinges on their behavior.

[16:10] And they don't understand the principles of grace. This is also a great reason for many people doubting and questioning their salvation.

[16:22] I'm talking about true believers really know the Lord, but they cannot really enjoy their position in Christ simply because they're not sure they have it.

[16:34] And what is it that keeps them from being sure? Their behavior. Because they reason this way. Once you become a Christian, once you become a child of God, you are supposed to think a certain way, live a certain way, act a certain way, whatever.

[16:56] And if you don't, maybe that's just proof that you're not really a Christian. Maybe you're just kidding yourself. Maybe it was just an emotional decision you made.

[17:08] Maybe it didn't really take. And we get so caught up in our performance because we say, now, you know, sometimes I do things and I say things that a Christian ought not to say.

[17:26] How can I do that? Maybe it's because I'm not really a Christian. And this kind of lack of assurance can be agonizing.

[17:37] I know because I went through this as a new believer many, many years ago. And the reason I did was because I had unreasonable expectations and I didn't have any idea what grace was all about.

[17:51] I knew I was saved by it and that was it. But I would look at some of my performance and some of my attitudes and some of my reactions and they were anything but Christian.

[18:05] And I would say, well, maybe I'm not really saved. Maybe I didn't really mean it. And I would go through these little gyrations. This was a 21-year-old new believer. And I would say, well, Lord, if I didn't mean business and I wasn't really saved when I thought I was, I want to believe now.

[18:23] So, you go through this whole thing again. And this is exactly what some people think regarding the issue of sin. They do not understand that in Christ, let's go to Colossians 2, that in Christ, we have a position of the forgiveness of sin that is just absolutely breathtaking.

[18:43] In fact, it is so good that some find it hard to believe. Can't really mean that. But it does. Colossians chapter 2. Now, we're talking about positional truth and how sometimes we become confused because our performance as a Christian is decidedly substandard.

[19:01] And that makes us question whether or not we have such a relationship. Here in Colossians 2, beginning with verse 10.

[19:15] Well, let's start with verse 9. For in him, that is, in the person of Christ, all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form. And in him, you have been made complete.

[19:27] And he is the head over all rule and authority. And in him, you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.

[19:41] Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with him through faith in the working of God who raised him from the dead.

[19:52] And I probably should point out here that this baptism is not a water baptism in verse 12. And verse 13. And when you were dead in your transgressions, that is, spiritually dead in your transgressions, and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, and which was hostile to us, he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

[20:44] What is that all about? Let me just explain that as briefly as I can. This is a beautiful thing. That Christ took, took the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us, taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

[21:04] The time and place in which Paul was writing refers to the principle of crucifixion, and this passage is talking about this, and it is saying that Christ nailed something to the cross.

[21:25] Well, we know he was nailed to the cross, but what is this nailed to the cross? In connection with crucifixion, as the Romans carried it out, as far as I know, they were the only ones who actually practiced it.

[21:37] It was a very, very brutal, agonizing way to die. But one of the requirements of Roman crucifixion, in accordance with Roman law, was this. Whenever Rome crucified someone, and I don't think this is probably the case when, on different occasions, when they crucified thousands, thousands, at one time, where they just lined the whole road, on both sides of the road, with crucified people, cannot imagine such a ghastly sight.

[22:14] But in the case of a formal trial, and an execution, and a sentence handed down, they would take the individual out to the place of crucifixion, and as they were affixing that individual, whether they were tying him, or using spikes, as they did in the case of our Lord, to fasten them to the cross, they always wrote out, a certificate, that was a legal document, issued by the Roman authority, the Roman government, and this document, spelled out, the crime, for which that person, was being crucified.

[22:57] That was part of the sentence. They wrote out the crime, for which he was being crucified, and they nailed that, on the cross, right along, with the individual, they were crucifying.

[23:09] The crime, with which Jesus of Nazareth, was charged, was, being the king of the Jews.

[23:21] That, was the official reason, for which he was crucified. And they put that sign, over his head. This is Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.

[23:35] I don't know, what all was involved, in the certificate of death, that Paul is talking about here, in Colossians, but I know it has to do, with the righteousness of God, and the law, of which we're all guilty, violating, and under which, we are all exposed, to the sentence, of death.

[23:59] But because, Jesus Christ died, as our substitute, he took, any, and all, and everything, of which you, and I, would be, or could be guilty, whatever that involved, that certificate, of debt, and nailed it, to the cross.

[24:18] As if to say, the one who is on the cross, is also guilty, of all these things. But of course, he wasn't.

[24:32] Yet, he who knew no sin, was made sin, for us. That is, that certificate of debt, that was against us, Christ took it, as it was against him.

[24:46] And he, made, payment, in full, for what, that certificate, of debt, required, by way of justice.

[24:58] He died. He was executed. It is, as though, the law, had exacted, everything, that was there, to be exacted, from the person, of Christ.

[25:13] So, he met, the full penalty, of the law. Because, what can the law, do, to you, once you're dead? What other claim, does the law have on you?

[25:25] You have paid, the full, and ultimate price. There isn't anything, left to be paid. The law, has been maxed out, in this, atonement, in this payment, that was made.

[25:37] So, because, because Christ, died for the sins, of the world, as far as, God is concerned, sin, is no longer, the issue.

[25:50] What do I mean? Christ, died for sin. For whose sin? Everyone's sin. For all sin, for all time. All that remains, is the personal, appropriation, of what God, has done.

[26:03] The big question, today, is not your sin. Christ paid for your sin. The big question, is, whether, you, have, acknowledged that.

[26:14] And when you do that, you, exercise faith, or belief, or trust, in what Jesus Christ, did, on your behalf. In his payment, for sin, he paid for all sin, for all people, for all times.

[26:28] That is our official position. It is as if, this thing is, stamped, paid in full. That is exactly, what Christ did. And yet, we all know, that being fully, freely, forgiven forever, of sin, we go right on, doing what?

[26:48] Sinning. Sinning. Through our attitude, through our actions, the way we hurt, one another, these are offenses. These are sins.

[27:00] But do you know, they are already paid for. So what do we do, about these things? Someone submitted a question, and I appreciate this, and by the way, I would encourage you, if you have questions, and would like to write them out, like this person did, you'll probably get a better answer.

[27:17] You're welcome to ask questions, from the audience, as usual. But I have to give you, an answer off the top of my head, and many times, those are, not nearly adequate.

[27:30] But if you write out a question, you will get more, thought going into it, and I'll have, probably a better answer for you, than I will off the top of my head, because, sometimes when I give answers, off the top of my head, it sounds like, that's just where they came from, and it doesn't, doesn't do that much good.

[27:48] But anyway, this pretty person, asked the question, I've heard that, if a person has accepted Christ, but is not growing, they should question, if they were truly sincere, when they accepted Christ.

[28:01] Your thoughts, Marv, thanks. Now this all ties in, with what we're talking about. And the greatest thing, that would make a Christian, probably doubt their salvation, is whether they were sincere, when they made a decision, and the other thing is, I think if I was a real Christian, I wouldn't act like this.

[28:21] I think if I were truly a Christian, I wouldn't even be able, to have these terrible thoughts, that I'm having. And oh, I sure am glad people can't read my mind. It would be terribly embarrassing.

[28:33] If I were a true Christian, I wouldn't covet some of the things I do. If I were a true Christian, I would, listen, true Christians, true Christians, are as capable, of all of the nasty things, that non-Christians are.

[28:54] Is it possible, that a true Christian, could commit murder? Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Plenty have. And I'm not talking about, just David either.

[29:05] There are plenty of others. Now, I'm not seeking to excuse that. I am just saying that, becoming a Christian, radically changes, who you are, and what you are.

[29:18] But it does not eradicate from you. It does not remove from you, the capability of exercising, your own will. Because you maintain, this old sinful nature, this Adamic nature.

[29:33] It is there intact. And by the way, it does not appreciate, being pushed aside, and being overtaken, by this new man, that dwells within you, since you became a Christian.

[29:47] The old flesh, will rear its ugly head, and it will, entice you, to do things, you ought not to do. Things that you know, you shouldn't do. But you do them anyway.

[29:57] Why? Because you still have a will, that is intact. You have not become, some kind of Christian zombie, where you just move around, and you automatically, do everything that pleases God.

[30:11] You never say anything wrong, never do anything wrong, you never think anything wrong. There is no such person. If there is, they are already in heaven.

[30:24] They are not here living among us. So, when you understand, that your behavior, even though, it matters a great deal, to God, even though, while we are not saved, by good works, we are saved, unto good works, it is not your behavior, or your actions, or anything else, that keeps you, in Christ.

[30:47] Christ is the one, who keeps you in Christ. Not you. Well, what if I do something, really bad, so that I don't deserve, to remain in Christ.

[30:57] But you never did deserve, to be in Christ. You didn't get in, because you deserved it. And you aren't kept in, because you deserve it. You get in, and you are kept in, because, of the finished work, of Jesus Christ.

[31:14] And because, of the principle, of grace. Once you understand, the principle of grace, grace, the security of the believer, is no longer a problem. Because, the real base, for doubting, one's salvation, is an inadequate, appreciation, of what grace is.

[31:33] And, therein, lies these, incredible, divine operating assets, that are made available, to all believers, just because, you are in Christ.

[31:44] And your position, in him, is the very first thing, that we want to note. You are complete, in Christ. If you are complete, what do you lack? You don't lack anything. You have everything, that he has to give you.

[31:58] And he, who spared not his own son, but delivered him up, for us all, how shall he not, with him also freely, give us all things? Everything, and anything, that he deems, you need, he has provided for you.

[32:11] And it doesn't make, any difference. Your behavior, your performance, etc. does not, alter, your, eternal destiny, because, that, is connected, to the finished work, that Christ has done.

[32:26] Now, if you are talking about, rewards, on the basis of behavior, yes. First Corinthians 3, talks about that. As a believer, we are all, going to appear, before, the award throne of Christ, the bema seat of Christ.

[32:42] There, rewards, will be handed out. Some, will have rewards, in abundance, some, will have, no reward. Yet, he himself, shall be saved, so as by fire.

[32:54] So, it is on the basis, of God's grace, and your position, in Christ, that determines, your eternal destiny. God cares, a great deal, about your performance, your works, and your deeds, but not, in connection, with your salvation.

[33:13] That, really, needs, to be understood. What you do, how you live your life, has a great deal, to do, with your sanctification, with your, growth, and your maturity, and your developing, in Christ.

[33:29] And, that is the key. But, it starts with this, assurance platform. It starts with, knowing who you are, knowing you are, a child of God, knowing that you are, in Christ, and that he is only, kindly disposed, toward you.

[33:42] Knowing that you, cannot, send your way, out, of the grace of God. You are locked in. Do you think, for a moment, that Jesus Christ, is going to allow, anyone, for whom he died, to ultimately, be lost?

[34:01] Think about that. For those, who have placed, their faith, and trust in him, I call it, faith in good faith.

[34:12] You have placed, your faith, and trust in him. And, what that does, is it puts, the burden, on him. Not on you. On him.

[34:24] For your redemption. For your salvation. The burden is on you, for what you do with it. And, you are accountable, and responsible, for how you live your life. But, you are not, connected to, the work syndrome, and the performance thing, for your eternal salvation.

[34:42] That cannot be improved upon. You cannot be, more saved than saved. You cannot be, any more of a Christian, than being a Christian. No one, is more of a Christian, than someone else.

[34:55] Someone may behave, more Christianly, than someone else. But, that doesn't make them, more of a Christian. You either are, or you aren't. It's like being pregnant.

[35:07] You are, or you aren't. Nobody is a little bit pregnant. Or, a whole lot pregnant. You either are in Christ, or you are not. So, that becomes the basis, then, for our growth, for our maturity, and for our, walk with him.

[35:24] What about, my future sins? Sins committed, after I came to Christ. Well, that is a sticky problem. Especially, among grace believers.

[35:36] What's our attitude, going to be? Paul talks about, the deeds of the flesh. A couple chapters, in Ephesians, and also in Colossians, that relate specifically, to how believers, are supposed to live, and how we are supposed, to treat one another.

[35:56] And there is, a clear cut, admission there, that believers, can walk in the flesh, as opposed to, walking in the spirit. We have no excuse, for doing that. But we can do that.

[36:06] We can walk in the flesh. Sometimes, I think most believers do. So, what happens then, when a believer, does sin? And as I said, in the bulletin, we do, you know.

[36:20] We do. Do you ever gossip, about anyone? Do you ever pass on a story? Are you envious?

[36:34] Do you steal? Do you take things, from the company, or the office? It's not yours. You cheat, on your income tax.

[36:47] These, these, are, sins, of the flesh. So, what do you do, with these sins? You can take the position, I don't know of anybody, that does this, but, I'm saying that, if you want to look at this, from the standpoint, that, a believer, has this blanket, of forgiveness, spread over him, so that he is, already forgiven, all trespasses, in Christ, past, present, and future.

[37:13] And, so you sin. So, what do you do, about it? Don't do anything, about it, because you're, already forgiven. What's to be done, about it?

[37:29] Aren't we, forgiven, all trespasses, in Christ? Indeed, we are. Well, what do I do, about, the sins, of the flesh?

[37:44] I can, ignore them, that's the first possibility, I can say, well, it doesn't make any difference, because, I'm already forgiven, so it's all under the blood, of Christ, and I'm already forgiven. I suspect, that there might be some, who take that position.

[37:57] There's nothing, to be done about them. On the other hand, what is the tendency, of behavior, that is not, in some way, halted, or corrected?

[38:10] What is the tendency? It is for it, to continue, and to escalate, because, we tend to think, if we got away, with this, we can get away, with that, and we can get away, with something else.

[38:23] So, if we're going, to take the position, that, sinful behavior, there isn't anything, to do about it, because, Christ already, paid for it, so, forget it. Do you not think, that that makes light, of our behavior?

[38:38] Do you not think, that perhaps, that somehow, provides some kind, of phony excuse, for our behavior, or some kind of, it seems to me, that it would. Now, the other thing, you can do, is you can agonize, over it.

[38:51] You can spend, sleepless nights, over it, because you know, that you are not, measuring up, to what would be, expected of a Christian, and you know, that your behavior, and your attitude, is not pleasing, to the Lord, and it may be, displeasing, to a whole lot, of other people, as well, and it really, bothers you, and disturbs you, but, what's to be done, about it?

[39:13] What are you, going to do? And, if these sins, whatever they are, do not affect, your eternal, relationship, with God, if they won't, keep you out of heaven, because you are, in Christ, against, well, you can ignore them, you can agonize, over them, what else, might you do?

[39:39] You could, confess them, and there, in lies, a lot, of misunderstanding, what does it mean, to confess, your, sin?

[39:51] The word is, homologeo, and it simply means, to say, the same thing, it means, to, agree, essentially, that's all, it means, to agree, to admit, to acknowledge, when you, confess, confess, you take, ownership, you, sign off, on it, when you, confess, picture this, if you will, here, you have been, accused of a crime, and you were brought in, for questioning, and, this detective, is asking you, where were you, on such a night, blah, blah, blah, and thus, and so, and thus, and so, and they think, that you are, number one suspect, for some particular crime, that's been committed, and, you are denying it, and of course, the, the, the bright lights, and the third degree, and all, and after a while, you come to the conclusion, that you are not going, to prevail in this thing, and, and what do you do, you say, okay,

[41:08] I confess, I confess, what's that mean, it means, you are agreeing, with what the detective, is saying, you are guilty of, and you are charged of, to make a confession, means, to enter, a plea, of agreement, and he'll say something like, would you like, to make a statement, and they'll have someone, come in, a stenographer, and they will take down, what you say, that is your confession, and then they will ask you, to sign it, and what you are doing, is, agreeing, with, the charges, you are admitting it, you are taking ownership, this, is what God, wants you, to do, when sin, and sinful behavior, is brought to your attention, he doesn't want you, to agonize over it, he doesn't want you, to ignore it, he wants you, to admit it, admit it, to whom, admit it, to him, now, if this involves, behavior, and actions, toward another individual, you ought to, admit it to them, also, all of this, is for one reason, and one reason only, and that is, restoring, the relationship, restoring, the fellowship, making, a reconnection, this, is something, that believers, have need to do, every time, we become aware, that we have behaved, in a sinful way, we have, dishonored our Lord, by our behavior, or by our actions, and we need to, acknowledge that, or confess that, this ties in, with a familiar passage, that you all are aware of, in first John, and, sorry to say, it is a passage, and a concept, that just makes, some grace believers, vibrate all over the place, because, it isn't Pauline,

[43:23] Paul didn't write it, but I'll tell you, it is a principle, there are a lot of principles, that Paul didn't write, there are a lot of things, that are cross dispensational, and the maintenance, of our fellowship, with God, I think, is very, very important, is the maintenance, of your fellowship, and your relationship, with other human beings, is that worth anything, is that important to you, of course it is, how much more so, with God, and we do not, lose our connection, we do not lose, our relationship, with God, but our fellowship, with God, can be in disarray, you can displease him, you can use this, analogy as a parent, a child, and I'm sure, it breaks down, after a point, but I think, on the first couple, of points at least, it is valid, and that is this, your children, your children, may displease you, mightily, you may not, approve, of some of the things, they do, or say, but you're not, about to disown them, you continue, to love them, you do not, love, some of their actions, or attitudes, and you would, have them change, but that does not, lessen your love, for them, or your acceptance, of them, you care, just as much, about them, as you always have, maybe even more, but, the connection, between you, and that child, is not, what it ought to be, there is, some alienation, there is, some distancing, you can, both sense it, that things, are not, right, between you, that's, no way to live, somebody, needs to do, some fessing up, about something, because, offenses, have been committed, that have not, been resolved, and it, injures, the relationship, how are you, going to get it, back, where it belongs, somebody, needs, to take, responsibility, who is that, that is, the offending one, that is, the one, who has engaged, in behavior, whatever it might be, that displeased the other, that was, wrongful behavior, we need, to go, to that party, and it may not be a parent, maybe a brother, or sister, or a next door neighbor, or a business acquaintance, but the relationship, is not, what it ought to be, and whoever, is responsible, for its disarray, needs, to take responsibility, go to the one, and say,

[46:17] I have wronged you, I am at fault in this, I want to take responsibility, I want to admit, I want to agree, I want to, confess, my part in this, and then, what happens, barriers removed, admission, has been made, forgiveness, requested, assuming forgiveness, is granted, and then, everything, is back, the way, it's supposed to be, we never, we never, lose, our relationship, with our heavenly father, but bad behavior, will put you, on the outs with him, so that he is not, pleased with you, God, becomes, displeased, with his children, and Paul, talks about, the incredible, value, and privilege, we have, of being, well, pleasing, unto God, think of that, you, and I, have the ability, to be, well, pleasing, unto God, we have the ability, to give God, pleasure, based on, our attitude, and actions, that's a remarkable thing, we also have the ability, to cause him, to have, displeasure with, he doesn't love us, any less, but things are not right, things are not, as they ought to be, something needs, to be fixed, and someone has said, if you're not, as close to God, as you used to be, you can guess, who moved, and when we go to God, and admit to him, just admit, you don't have, to do penance, you don't have, to promise, and say, and I'll never, ever do it again, which is a real, stupid thing to say, don't ever do that, don't ever do that, we confess our sin, acknowledge our sin, he is faithful,

[48:20] God is reliable, dependable, to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us, from all unrighteousness, and then he puts us, back up on our feet, and says, okay, everything is the way, it's supposed to be, now move out, and you move on, through the Christian life, until you, screw up again, and what do you do, you go right back, to him and say, here I am again, Lord, same old problem, same old thing, and God is going to say, okay, listen, I have already forgiven you, twice about that, I am not going to, forgive you anymore, you just don't have to, worry about that, and for people, who think, that they can do that, and just, run and confess, and say, and God will forgive you, and you just do the same thing, and run and confess, and God will forgive you, and you just, you get in a cycle like that, do you know what happens, after a while, God says, yes, oh, of course I forgive you, I am faithful and just, to forgive you, and to cleanse you, from all, and I will,

[49:25] I am going to cleanse you, with this two by four, and I am going to teach you, the advantages, of avoiding this thing, and God will allow, things to be brought, into our life, that will refine us, and that will start, chipping away, some of those areas, he knows exactly, what we need, and exactly when we need it, and he will not, he will not, over discipline, and he never punishes, he chastens, that's different, chastening, is correction, based on, love, God chastens us, for what son, is he, whom the father, chasteneth not, and if you receive, not chastening, whereof all are partakers, if you receive, not chastening, then are you bastards, and not sons, because God, only chastens, and child trains, his own children, in the same way, that, if your neighbor's, kids, misbehave, you don't go over there, and spank them, they're not your kids, they're somebody else's kids,

[50:40] God, spanks his own, and anytime, God takes us, to the woodshed, it is always, on the basis, of his, incredible, undying love, for us, and he wants, to restore us, to that sweetness, of fellowship, that we are supposed, to have, one with another, this is what, Christians, should do, when they sin, and I don't know, about you, but I've been, to the woodshed, a number of times, I have had, my spiritual behind, whacked, a number of times, and I've never, been chastened, of the Lord, unjustly, I've never told, the Lord, I didn't have that coming, you were not fair, never been able, to think that, or say that, it is always, loving, discipline, loving, chastening, and for a believer, to continue, in that, without seeking, to address, the issue, and restore, the fellowship, that is there, he will allow you, to go, just so far, and then eventually, he's going, to cause something, do something, originate, orchestrate something, that is going, to bring you, to where, you need, to be, he, he who spared, not his own son, but gave him up, for us all, how shall he not, with him, also freely, give us all things, everything, he knows you need,

[52:10] I tell you, we have a heavenly father, that cares for us, more than we could, ever imagine, it's just, mind-boggling, this, grace, that motivates, our God, to be, who, and what he is, just, just remarkable, well, pray with me please, father, we have, barely, stretched the surface, of this issue, and we know, that there is, a certain amount, of confusion, and connection, with it, and we just, don't want to add, to it, but, we know, that, that you have, nothing, but pure, unadulterated truth, and that, is what we, seek to have, so we pray, that in this, and in, future material, that is taught, regarding this issue, that, you will, do the sifting, and sorting, and that you, will not allow, to stay fixed, in our minds, anything, that has been, uttered of the flesh, or of my opinion, simply, because it is, untrustworthy, but that truth, which is from you, and originates, with you, we want to hide, in our hearts, and be benefited, and blessed by it, thank you, for your graciousness, and for your love, to us, in Christ's name,

[53:28]  Amen. Amen.