I recently discovered a guy on the Internet, who used to be a traditional pastor before “GRACE” overwhelmed his life. I want to share his most recent blog where he puts forth an interesting proposition: “It is no longer necessary for you to ask for forgiveness for your sins. In fact, it insults the finished work of Jesus on the cross when we do ask. It implies that the matter isn’t finished although Jesus clearly said that “it is finished.” Does this statement shock you?
Steve goes on to challenge this notion that God is keeping score.
“Because of His finished work at the cross you have been acquitted for the sins of a lifetime! If you believe that your sins are still being forgiven one at a time as you ask for forgiveness, a troubling question must be answered. What happens if you die with just one sin in your life which you haven’t thought to ask Him to forgive?”
I recall in my youth reading those little black and white Chick Cartoon Tracts and seeing the image of me standing before God’s throne while the giant television screen played out all of my sins and transgressions. From there God would pronounce judgment on my life and my place in eternity. Wow, this line of thinking has really skewed my perception of God. It has left me with a life consumed by “performance Christianity”, which is where I must “perform” and behave in all the right ways so that the giant-television-in-the-sky does not condemn me to hell.
Read Steve McVey’s Blog.
If you enjoy his blog then pop over to YouTube. He has a great series of video clips entitled 101 Lies Taught in Church Every Week. That should give you something to think about.
He was recently interviewed on The God Journey Podcast.
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I posted this reply to Steve McVey’s blog which you linked. We will see if he posts it.
Steve,
I love much of your material, but I have to disagree with you my friend on this one.
It does not insult the finished work of Jesus on the cross when we ask for forgiveness. I don’t think you’re looking at confession correctly if that’s what you believe.
God wants us to ask. He wants us to ask for many things. Jesus modeled it when He taught us how to pray.
Here’s another way to look at it. My children rely on my grace as their provider (food, clothing, shelter, etc.).
They have complete confidence that I am going to give them what they need to cover them. Yet when they need or want something, I expect them to ask and say thank you when it is given. Will I not feed them if they don’t ask? Of course I will still feed them. But asking and responding is a normal part of any relationship.
When we ask God for forgiveness or daily bread He already knows our need and has already made provision for it. Asking helps our walk with our heavenly father.
Asking for forgiveness for sins we have committed allows time for contemplation and for the Holy Spirit to speak to us. It actually refreshes our spirit to remember on a daily basis the grace which covers us (and what in particular it has actually covered).
I think people get confused on the asking for forgiveness because it begins to look like works. Works done to earn forgiveness. But asking could only really be a work if the asking were able to merit the forgiveness. And of course we know that we can’t earn forgiveness.
Asking for the forgiveness doesn’t “earn” the forgiveness any more than my son asking for a slice of fresh baked bread somehow earns him that bread. “Mom, can I have a slice of that bread?” “Why yes you can, I baked it just for you.” “Thanks Mom.”
This grace relationship cannot be viewed in a strictly linear cause-and-effect manner. Gratitude flows out of grace and draws our heart. We ask for the mercy God has already prepared for us. Which in turn draws us deeper in causing us to continue that grateful conversation of asking and receiving.
I’m right with you as an anti-legalism crusader but I don’t believe confessing sins and asking for forgiveness is legalism.
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