Later on, you hear that both of the people described above were Christians and attended churches in your town.

How should a Christian view suicide? What kind of comfort can you give the family of a suicide victim? Do people who commit suicide go to hell?

Let’s deal with the last question first, because it is the most important. We’ll begin by asking other questions.

Why ask the question, “Do people who commit suicide go to hell?” in the first place? Why are we so concerned about this sin and not others? How is suicide different from any other death?

The answer usually given is that suicide is final. The person who dies this way has no opportunity to ask for forgiveness or to make amends.

The question and the answer both show a misunderstanding of the finality of the cross and the nature of salvation.

If a person is a truly saved, born-again child of God, upon death, regardless of how the death occurs, he or she will be absent from the body and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). If a person is not saved, then he or she will go to hell. The person’s final destination has everything to do with her or his relationship with Jesus and nothing to do with behavior.

How is this possible? “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (1 Corinthians 5:19). “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…” (1 Peter 3:18). “…so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28). “I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name” (1 John 2:12).

As you can see by these verses our sins no longer separate us from God. Jesus provided forgiveness for the sins of the entire world one time at the cross, so there is no more forgiveness to be gotten. Even someone who commits suicide is forgiven.

The question is not about sin, but about salvation, and salvation is life. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ ” (John 14:6). “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10).

If a person has accepted Jesus’ life as her own, then she is saved, period. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). “…God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ ” (Hebrews 13:5b). “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

Humanity needed complete forgiveness so that sins could no longer cause spiritual death. Jesus provided it!

Humanity needed eternal life so that we could be restored to a relationship with God. Jesus provided it!

Because Jesus has provided us everything we need, nothing we do can cause what He provided to fail.

Does this mean that suicide doesn’t matter? No. Suicide is a selfish act. The person who decides to commit suicide has decided that his suffering is more than he can stand, that God’s grace is no longer sufficient to make his life worth living. Although his decision will not condemn him, it does remove the chance for God to work through him into the lives of others. This is tragic, but it is not the unpardonable sin. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is a person’s refusal to believe in Jesus (see John 16:8-9), because forgiveness and eternal life are found only in Him.

So how do you comfort the family and friends of someone who commits suicide? Comfort them with truth. Help them fix their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of their faith (Hebrews 12:2). Ignore the way death occurred. Dead is dead, whether it happened in an automobile accident or by swallowing a handful of pills. Death is the tragedy, so comfort them with the only answer to death – Jesus Christ and His saving life.

“There are those who sincerely try to live a life they do not have, substituting religion for God, Christianity for Christ, and their own noble endeavors for the energy, joy, and power of the Holy Spirit. In the absence of reality, they can only grasp at ritual, stubbornly defending the latter in the absence of the former, lest they be found with neither! There are those who have a life they never live. They have come to Christ and thanked Him only for what He did, but do not live in the power of who He is. Between the Jesus who was and the Jesus who will be they live in a spiritual vacuum, trying with no little zeal to live for Christ a life that only He can live in and through them, perpetually begging for what in Him they already have!” Major Ian Thomas (From the forward of Classic Christianity)

Romans 5:10

“For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” Now having been cleansed of all unrighteousness and the sin issue settled forever, there are only 2 things left that God had to do for man:

1. Provide Righteousness.
2. Provide Life.

1. God’s Gift Of Righteousness.
   1. Righteousness Is From God.

Romans 10:3-4

“Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

Romans 1:16-17

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 3:21-22

“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

Philippians 3:7-9

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

1. 1. Righteousness Is A Gift.

Galatians 2:21

“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Romans 5:15-17

“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”

Remember: Before righteousness could be given, man had to be totally forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness.

1. 1. You Have Become The Righteousness Of Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

“It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

1. God’s Gift of Life.
   1. Man’s Condition Under The Law – Spiritually Dead.

Galatians 3:21

“Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.”

Romans 7:10

“I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.”

Romans 5:12

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.”

Ephesians 2:1

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.”

John 3:36

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath (death) remains on him.” John 3:18“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned (dead) already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

1. 1. God’s Provision Under Grace – Saved By His Life.
      1. Man is not merely saved by the death of Christ, but by the LIFE of Christ. Romans 5:10“For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” Colossians 2:13“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.” John 10:10“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 1:4“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” John 6:48“I am the bread of life.” John 5:39-40“You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.” John 14:6“Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life.” Romans 6:23“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 2:4-5“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” John 14:19“Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live.” John 5:24“I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
      2. Salvation is restoring man to his true humanity. John 3:3-6“In reply Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. How can a man be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked. Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born! Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” Colossians 1:25-27“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness – the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
2. In Him You Have Eternal Life.
   1. God’s Testimony Concerning Eternal Life. Hebrews 13:5“God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 1 John 5:9-13“We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which He has given about His Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
   2. Questions To Consider:
      1. What caused the Spirit of God to depart from Adam?
      2. What caused the Spirit of God to depart from Jesus?
      3. What is the only thing that could cause the Spirit of God to depart from you?
      4. Where are your sins?
      5. Were your sins judged?
      6. What was the verdict?
      7. What was the penalty?
      8. Who took it?
      9. How much of it did He take?
      10. Therefore, how much is left for you?
      11. Why can’t the Spirit of God depart from you when you sin?
3. Conclusion: In Him You Are Complete. Colossians 2:9-10“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness (completeness) in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” 2 Peter 1:3“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” Ephesians 1:13“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”
4. The Christian Lives By Faith. Ephesians 2:8-9“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Romans 14:23b “Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Colossians 2:6“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live (by faith) in Him.” Hebrews 10:38a“But my righteous one will live by faith.” Hebrews 11:6“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
   1. Faith Must Have An Object.
   2. The Object of the Christian’s Faith is Jesus Christ and His Finished Work. John 11:25-26 (KJV)“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.”
5. Practical Application.
   1. You Will Never Experience a Changed Life Until You Experience the Exchange of Life. Philippians 1:21“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Galatians 2:20“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
   2. Are You Willing To Accept Christ As Your Life?
   1. Are you willing to live with the attitude of not my will, but Yours be done?
   2. Are you willing to give up trying to control your circumstances?
   3. Are you willing to give up trying to control everyone around you – kids, mate, parents, employees, etc.?
   4. Are you willing to give up trying to control your future?
   5. Are you willing to surrender to the One Who: Gave His Life for You, So He Could Give His Life to You, So He Could Live His Life through You?

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For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17

Hebrews 7:18-19

The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 8:13

By calling this covenant “new,” He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

Hebrews 7:20-22

And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but He became a priest with an oath when God said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: `You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Hebrews 10:1-4

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming–not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Romans 3:19-20

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

The purpose of the law is to make us conscious of sin.

1 Timothy 1:8-10

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for  murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.

The purpose of the law is to show our need for salvation.

Galatians 3:19-24

What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.  Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

The law cannot make you righteous, justify you, or give you life.

Galatians 2:16 & 21

Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

Galatians 3:11

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The law can only bring death.

Romans 7:10

I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

Galatians 3:21

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

James 2:10

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Matthew 5:48

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Hebrews 10:14

Because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Christ fulfilled the law.

Matthew 5:27-29

You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Matthew 5:21-22

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca, ‘ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

The purpose of the law is to stir up sin.

1 Corinthians 15:56

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Romans 7:5, 7-8

For when we were controlled by the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.

What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.

Colossians 2:20-23

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 
These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 
Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Romans 9:30-32

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 
but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 
Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.”

Galatians 3:10

All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

The law includes the Ten Commandments.

2 Corinthians 3:7-9

Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 
will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!

Hebrews 10:1

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming–not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

John 1:17

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:17-18

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

John 19:30

When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.

Hebrews 10:20

But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 
13 Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool.

Romans 10:4

Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Galatians 3:13-14

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Galatians 4

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

Hebrews 9:15

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance–now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Romans 8:3-4

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The purpose of the law is to lead us to Christ.

Galatians 3:24-25

So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

1 Corinthians 15:56

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Romans 7:1-6

Do you not know, brothers–for I am speaking to men who know the law–that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if  her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Romans 8:14

Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 11:6

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Galatians 3:1-3

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Galatians 1:6-8

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel–which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 8:14

Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Galatians 5:18

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

Galatians 2:19

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.

Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.

Galatians 3:11

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

When we read the Bible, we need to look at the context in which each book was written. If we don’t do that, it’s easy to misinterpret what a particular book or chapter is really saying. When that happens, we can easily come to wrong conclusions, which can then cause a lot of misunderstanding about the work of Christ on our behalf.

One example of this is that many people believe that although their sins have been forgiven prior to salvation, after salvation it is up to them to obtain forgiveness through their confession. Others believe that all their sins have been forgiven at the cross; however, they cannot experience forgiveness unless they confess each time they sin. The verse both parties use to defend their belief is I John 1:9. Let’s read the first chapter of 1 John, and keep in mind two important questions: “Who was John’s audience?” and “What was he trying to accomplish in this letter?”

The audience was a confused church in Asia. The pastor there asked John to write a letter to help clear up some major doctrinal heresy called “Gnosticism.” Gnosticism comes from the Greek word “gnosis”, which means knowledge. The Gnostics were a group of people who believed they possessed superior spiritual knowledge. They believed that all flesh is evil and that only spirit is good. Because they believed that, they didn’t believe that Jesus really came in the flesh – they believed He was an illusion. They also believed that because sin had to do with our flesh, there really wasn’t any sin – sin was also just an Illusion. (That’s similar to people today who believe sickness is an illusion.) The church in Ephesus was filled with people who not only didn’t believe Christ came in the flesh, they didn’t believe sin was real.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life ” (I John 1:1). In other words, John is establishing that he was an eyewitness to the fact that Jesus truly did come in the flesh. He did this to convince the Gnostics that Jesus was not an illusion.

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ”  (verse 3). This verse says two things. First, John repeats the fact that he, the rest of the apostles and other people saw Christ in the flesh. He wanted the Gnostics to realize that there were many people who could testify to the reality of Christ. Second, he is saying that there are some people in the audience who were not in fellowship with Christ. 

John’s message in verse 5 is very clear: God is light and in Him there is no darkness. We are either in the light (saved) or in darkness (lost). Scriptures are full of this comparison between light (saved) vs. darkness (lost). John writes: “This message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all “ (verse 5). Then he writes: “If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (verse 6). In other words, if someone says he has fellowship with Christ, but is walking in darkness (lost), he is lying and not practicing the truth. The Gnostics claimed to be in fellowship with Christ (saved), and yet were actually living a lie and therefore weren’t practicing the truth.

“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (verse 7). In other words, if we walk in the light (are saved) we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. To put it another way, once we are saved, we are permanently in fellowship with Him because the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from all sin. Therefore, we aren’t forgiven because we confess our sins. We are forgiven because of what Christ did for us on the cross.

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (verse 8). John is now addressing the belief the Gnostics had regarding sin because they didn’t believe it was real and therefore believed they had no sin. The “we” John is using here doesn’t refer to believers. He is referring to the Gnostics, who believed they were without sin. Because they claimed to be without sin, then they were only deceiving themselves and the truth (Jesus) was not in them.

However, verse 9 says that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” In other words, if the Gnostics were to confess they had sins, then God, who is faithful and righteous, would forgive and cleanse them from their unrighteousness. In the Greek language, the words “forgive” and “cleanse” mean past actions that have results today and will continue to have results in the future. Also, the word “all” used in these verses means all. It doesn’t mean that we are cleansed of only our past sins and unrighteousness, it means we are cleansed of all our unrighteousness. And if God cleanses us from all unrighteousness, then we are cleansed forever!

“If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives” (verse 10). Basically, this verse is a repeat of verse 8. To put it simply, it means that the Gnostics can’t claim to be without sin and yet be saved. John is saying that because the Gnostics claimed they had no sin, they were actually calling God a liar and therefore didn’t know the truth.

The purpose of the first chapter of 1 John was to compare the truth of God to the error of gnosticism. John was addressing the Gnostics, who were deceived by their own teaching. He wanted the Gnostics to understand that what they believed conflicted with what God said. He was not, however, addressing believers.

Today, there are people who believe that Christians must confess their sins in order to be forgiven. They believe that it is possible for us to be “in and out” of fellowship with God and that we must “keep short accounts” (or stay “fessed up”). The Bible doesn’t teach that we are “in and out” of fellowship with God. A person who is saved is in fellowship with God – eternally. “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful ” (1 Corinthians 1:9). A person who is lost is not in fellowship with God. There is no bouncing back and forth. You are either in fellowship with God (saved, walking in the light) or you are not in fellowship with God (lost, walking in darkness).

Scripture also doesn’t teach the idea of “keeping short accounts” (being “fessed up”). Teaching that we are to “keep short accounts” with God causes very real and damaging problems because we miss the point of what confession really is. Such popular teaching makes confession a mindless cure-all, a “bar of soap” we use daily to clean up our flesh. A common scenario would be of a person privately confessing to God a bitter attitude towards another and then asking for forgiveness. Afterwards, he doesn’t think about it, feeling that he has adequately met the “spiritual” requirement.

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins”  (Colossians 2:13). The fact is that while the sin issue is dead between you and God, it isn’t dead between the people with whom we come in contact daily. When we realize we’ve wronged another, we need to go to that person and take steps toward reconciling the relationship with that person.

It is easy to “confess” our sins and continue on, thinking we have met a “spiritual” requirement. But has there really been a change in our attitude, and not just our action? That would be like the little boy whose father tells him to sit down and be quiet in church. The little boy does so, but tells his father: “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I’m standing up on the inside!” God is much more concerned with changed attitudes. As our attitudes change – through the truth of God’s Word – our actions will eventually change.

Teaching we must confess our sins in order to be forgiven doesn’t produce changed hearts. Why? Because we have placed ourselves under a “law” which demands that we confess every sin in order to be forgiven and stay in fellowship with God. However, there are no laws, Mosaic or man-made, that can free us from sin. The law was never meant to free us from sin because the power of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56). Therefore, we usually end up repeating the same sin before the week (or even the day) is over and feeling guilt and frustration over our inability to change.

This obsession with confession keeps us under the power of sin because we are consumed with thoughts of ourselves in a sincere desire to please God. As a result, though, we become so concerned about whether we are “in or out of fellowship” with God that we don’t have time for our relationships down here. We are too busy keeping “short accounts” to be able to serve our brothers and sisters in love. Compare and see how many times the Scriptures exhort us to love one another versus confessing our sins. The emphasis is overwhelmingly in favor of loving one another.

We need to focus on the fact that God has forever settled the sin issue. Before Christ, men’s sins separated them from God. Christ was the only solution to this dilemma. Then, when He hung on the cross and said “It is finished!”, He meant it is finished! God has bridged the gap between Himself and man through His Son. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them… God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God “(2 Corinthians 5:18,19,21).

Since the Bible tells us that all of our sins are forgiven because of the grace of God, then what do we do when we do sin? Ignore it and say “I’m under grace, so it doesn’t make any difference if I sin?” Many believe that teaching the forgiveness of Christ will cause people to go out and sin more. Paul dealt with this argument 2,000 years ago. He responded, “By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? ” (Romans 6:2). He continues to tell us that “we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. . . In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. . . For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace ” (Romans 6:6,7,11,14).

The more we understand our identification with Christ, the more we understand that we have been freed from the power of sin. We are freed from sin because of the work of Christ Jesus on our behalf, not because of our law-keeping. Teaching the forgiveness we have in Christ is not a license to sin – we don’t need a license to sin! The only reason people often believe this is true is because they lack an understanding of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness and acceptance. They do not understand the motivating power of Christ’s love for them.

The Bible tells you “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23,24). Concerning lying, for instance, we are told “to put off falsehood and speak truthfully to our neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (verse 25). Or, concerning stealing, Ephesians 4:28 says that “he who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” In other words, stop lying and start telling the truth. Quit stealing and go to work so you can share with others. These are not laws we are to keep. Because we are children of God, it doesn’t make sense for us to continue lying or stealing.

These are just a few verses that tell us what to do when we do sin. Not one verse says we must confess our sins before we can go on with life. The motivation, instead, is found in Ephesians 4:32, which says we are to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” The only reason we can ever love, forgive and accept others is because Christ has first loved, forgiven and accepted us. It is true that we will treat others the way we feel God is treating us. If we feel we have to perform for God and ask His forgiveness each time we sin, we expect the same performance from everyone else. If we believe God loves us only when we do the right things, then we tend to also love others only when they, too, do the right things.

The opposite is also true. Only when we understand the unconditional love, forgiveness and acceptance of God will we ever be able to share that same love with those around us. It is impossible for us to love and forgive one another if we are constantly worrying about our own acceptance to God. The simple truth is that “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). If we believe we must continually confess our sins in order to be loved and forgiven by God, we are actually mocking God and telling Him that Christ’s work on our behalf was not sufficient. The damage caused by this belief is extensive. There are many who are in bondage to this “law” that was created and perpetuated by man. That’s why it is so important to understand what the Bible says about Christ’s finished work on the cross and our identity in Him. As we understand these truths and keep our eyes on the Lord instead of ourselves, we will see our lives change.

1 John 1:9

An Obsession with Confession

1 John 1:9 is the verse we use to negate the good news of Christ’s finished work on the cross. The following questions will help you probe our obsession with confession and conclude with Jesus, “It is finished.”

1. Confession cannot obtain forgiveness: What must be done in order to receive forgiveness of sins according to Hebrews 9:22? Hebrews 9:22 “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” What then are you asking God to do? Is Christ going to come back and die again according to these verses: 1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 9:24-28; Hebrews 10:10-14? I Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…” Hebrews 9:24-28 “For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Hebrews 10:10-14 “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of  Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” If you are in Christ, what do you have according to Ephesians 1:7-8?Ephesians 1:7-8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Does it make sense, then, to continually ask for something you already have?

   Where is the forgiveness of sins found?

   Are you in Him?

   Since you have forgiveness, is there a need for another sacrifice for the sins you commit today or in the future according to Hebrews 10:17-18?

   Hebrews 10:17-18 “Then He adds; ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’ And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”

   Who alone has the power to forgive sins?

   Mark 2:7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

   Can your confession bring about forgiveness?

   What have we been given as a result of Christ’s death according to the following verse?

   2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

   Where is righteousness found?

   Are you in Him?

   Do we make ourselves righteous or does God provide righteousness according to Romans 5:17?

   Romans 5:17 “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

   How much unrighteousness does 1 John 1:9 say we are cleansed of? If we are cleansed of all unrighteousness, do we need more cleansing?

2. Confession cannot restore fellowship:
3. With this mentality, what is it that breaks your fellowship with God?
   1. If your sins caused you to be out of fellowship with God, what then keeps you in fellowship with God? How much of your life can you live without sinning? So, how much of your life would you be in fellowship with God? What does God say is the wages of sin in Romans 6:23? Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If you think sin breaks your fellowship with God, what are you saying is the wages of sin? Which one is right – the wages of sin is being out of fellowship or the wages of sin is death?If God were going to deal with you according to your sins, what would He have to do when you sinned?Do you know of any place in the Bible that discusses being in and out of fellowship?According to 1 Corinthians 1:8-9, who has called you into fellowship and who is able to keep you in fellowship?

      1 Corinthians 1:8-9 “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”

      The Bible is very clear. The wages of sin is death and the gift of God is eternal life. It is a black and white issue with no in-between. Somewhere, however, the issue has been clouded through the concept of being in and out of fellowship. Instead of the wages of sin being death, it is now being out of fellowship. Instead of the gift of God being eternal life, it is now being in fellowship. This has watered down the gospel and has robbed literally thousands of Christians of the ability to experience the abundant life Jesus promised.

      When Jesus said “It is finished,” what do you think that means?

      Colossians 2:13-14 “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us, He took it away, nailing it to the cross.”

      Acts 26:17-18 “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”

      Psalm 103:10 -12 “… He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him,- as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

      Isaiah 38:17 “Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my sins behind Your back.”

      Colossians 1:13-14 “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

      Acts 10:43 “All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

      Matthew 26:27-28 “Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, now drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

      Luke 23:34 “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.”

      Hebrews 9:12 “He [Christ] did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.”

      Revelation 1:5b-6 “To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father – to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”

4. When Christ went to the cross, He died for our sins once for all. He paid the penalty of death, which is what the law demanded, so that we could experience His life. Don’t complicate the simplicity of the gospel through the fellowship issue. Recognize that you are in the fellowship, that the blood of Christ purifies you from all sin and rejoice in God’s free gift of eternal life.

The topic of tithing has gotten widespread attention from our listeners since it is often emphasized by churches across America. What is surprising, however, is the fact that the New Testament never requires us to give a tenth of our income as an offering to the Lord. You can look back for yourself. It just isn’t there. If tithing is so important, why isn’t it mentioned several times in the New Testament?

Why is tithing not commanded in the New Testament?

The word “tithe” refers to a tenth of produce and livestock prescribed by the Old Covenant as the duty of every Hebrew to pay in order to support the Levite priesthood, who were not permitted to earn wages, to pay for maintenance of the temple and to provide sacrifices in worship. All these needs have been done away with under the New Covenant initiated by Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. All believers are priests because we are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. Each believer is now the temple of God since God gives us the Holy Spirit to indwell us at the moment of regeneration. There is no need to make sacrifices to cover our sin because through Christ’s one sacrifice of Himself all of our sins (past, present and future) are forgiven. Since the national system of worship in Israel is obsolete, the role of the tithe is ended. That is why the Bible does not require believers under the New Covenant to tithe. It’s just not there (Eph. 3:12; I Cor. 6:19; Heb. 10:14).

What about the example of Abraham?

The only other time “tithe” is referred to is the incident where Abraham paid a tenth of his goods to Melchizedek. However that was a one time gift Abraham gave of his own free will as a public act of thanksgiving for a military victory, not as an act of obedience to a command of God. Furthermore, the fact that something was practiced before the Law does not make it a permanent command of God. If we use Abraham as an example for tithing then we need to follow him in other areas as well, such as circumcision and animal sacrifice. It’s funny that those last two areas are rarely mentioned along with tithing (Gen. 14, 15 & 16). The real point of this incident as quoted in the New Testament is to show the supremacy of our priesthood in Christ represented by Melchizedek over the priesthood of Levi, a descendent of Abraham (Hebrews 7:1-10).

If we don’t have to tithe, why give at all?

In other words, what is God’s pattern for giving under the New Covenant? The pattern is Jesus Christ Himself (2 Cor. 8:9). He walked as a living sacrifice in total dependency on the Father (Phil. 2:5-8). What are we to do? The very same thing (2 Cor. 8:5; Romans 12:1-2). So then our giving of money is to be a natural overflow of God’s love in service to others as we are controlled by His Spirit. Can that be 10% of everything we make? Certainly, and perhaps more or less, as God works in our hearts individually. That is the freedom we have in Christ. For your own study read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”  (2 Corinthians 9:7).

(Also see our Born Free tract)

“For since by a man came death, by a Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive”  (Corinthians 15:21-22).

Chosen by God 


“…just as He chose us In Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him”  (Ephesians 1:4).

Saved by grace

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -  and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -not by works, so that no one can boast”  (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God is propitiated (satisfied). 


“…and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world ” (1 John 2:2).

Reconciled to God


“For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! ” (Romans 5:10).

Redeemed 


“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”  (Ephesians 1:7).

Freed from the Law


”Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4).

Totally forgiven 


“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision Of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13).

Totally cleansed 


“And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God”  (1Corinthians 6:11).

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit”  (Titus 3:5).

Made holy and blameless 


“But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation”  (Colossians 1:22).

Hidden with Christ in God 


“For you have died. and your life is hidden with Christ in God”  (Colossians 3:3).

Clothed with Christ


”For all of you who were united with Christ in baptism have been clothed with Christ”  (Galatians 3:27).

Sealed in Christ 


“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory”  (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Given Christ’s righteousness


”He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”  (2 Corinthians 5:21).

“For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ”  (Romans 5:17).

Justified 


“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”  (Romans 3:23-24).

Safe from the wrath of God


”Much more, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Romans 5:9).

Made at peace with God 


“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”  (Romans 5:1).

Freed from condemnation


”There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”  (Romans 8:1).

Sanctified (made holy)

“By God’s will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all”  (Hebrews 10:10).

“And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God”  (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Made perfect forever


”For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified”  (Hebrews 10: 14).

Totally accepted 


“Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God”  (Romans 15:7).

Translated out of darkness into light


”For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”  (Colossians 1:13-14).

“For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light”  (Ephesians 5:8).

From death to life 


“Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life”  (John 5:24).

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins … But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:1,5).

Born again 


“Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”  (1 Peter 1:3).

Indwelt by the Holy Spirit 


“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him”  (Romans 8:9).

Made into a temple of the Holy Spirit


”Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? ”  (Corinthians 6:19).

Made into a new creation 


“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! “  (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”  (Ephesians 2:10).

Made children of God 


“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”  (John 1:12-13).

Adopted into God’s family 


“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’”  (Romans 8:15).

“But when the fulness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman. born under the Law. in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons”  (Galatians 4:4-5).

Made heirs of God 


“Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son: and if a son, then an heir through God”  (Galatians 4:7).

In fellowship with God 


“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ”  (1 Corinthians 1:9).

“…what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ”   (1 John 1:3).

Made into a holy and royal priesthood 


“To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood, and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father…”  (Revelation 5b-6).

“You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ … But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”  (1 Peter 2:5,9).

Given total access to God


”…Christ Jesus our Lord. in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him”  (Ephesians  3:12).

“Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful”  (Hebrews 10:19-23).

Made complete 


“For in Him all the fulness of deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete…”  (Colossians 2:9 -10).

We have been given everything. 


“Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”   (Ephesians 1:3).

“…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence”  (2 Peter 1:3).

Romans 12:1-10

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Ephesians 4:1-5

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit –  just as you were called to one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 & 27

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body -  whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free -  and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

1 Corinthians 10:15-17

“I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.”

Instructions for the Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

“In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not! For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’  In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’  For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.”

John 16:6

“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”

Matthew 26:26

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is My body.’”

Luke 22:19

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’”

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

Colossians 1:27

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Matthew 26:27-29

“Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.’”

Luke 22:20

“In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.’”

Hebrews 10:17-18

“Then He adds: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’ And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”

Romans 12:5

“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

“We belong to Christ and we belong to one another”

Romans 9:1-8

“I speak the truth in Christ -  I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit  – I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. It is not as though God’s Word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’  In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.”

John 1:12

“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

Romans 1:16

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

1 Thessalonians 5:24

“The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”

Ephesians 1:3-14

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to his good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment -  to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one Head, even Christ. In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.”

Ephesians 2:11-20

“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men) – remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.”

Ephesians 3:2-6

“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 4:6

“There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

John 1:29

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”

John 19:30

“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

1 John 2:2

“He is the One who turns aside God’s wrath, taking away our sins, and not only ours but also the sins of the whole world.”

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 8:28-31

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Ephesians 3:6

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”  (1Corinthians 13:4-7).

God is love and He has defined Himself and His attitude toward us in the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians. Agape love is the attitude of God expressed in action to man. The opposite attitude of agape love is pride. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and study the corresponding chart below. Remember that agape love can only come from God.