Follow up question . . . are you aware of every sin you commit? Myself, I'm still growing in self-awareness and self-knowledge, and I find that learning the real depth of sin in my flesh is a continuing experience.
I find that it's not about a list of do's and don'ts but rather, walking in the Spirit or walking according to flesh.
I wonder whether anyone actually is aware of and confesses every sin they commit. I suspect that we are alike, and that there are things we may not realize now that are from the flesh, but may come to realize it in the future.
I wonder whether there are those who are walking according to flesh, though not doing the "that shalt not's", and think, I'm OK, I'm not sinning, even though they are being critical of others, or have an inflated view of themself, or what not.
Why is it that sins committed as a Christian separate us from our Father? I'm reconciled to God in Christ, not in myself. Right? For He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you, don't you believe that is true?
Another question . . . when am I in greater need of help from my heavenly Father than when I'm caught up in some sin??
Confession and restoration? Isn't Jesus' death enough? I find communion with my Father even in the worst of times, and as I find Him even in the lowest parts of my life, this is what begins to lift me out.
Where is it that you find intimacy with God? Is it only when you approve of your own behavior? And what if you are mistaken, and think you are OK, and you are not? Aren't you glad God isn't so technical about it?
Well . . . . he confessed to these, but not to those . . . Nope, there will be no comfort to his heart . . .
How reconciled are you in Christ? Enough to live, but not enough to have ongoing relationship? Trust in Christ, and not in your own self-approval.
Paul said he didn't even judge himself. Why would we? It's just measuring ourselves by ourselves. Jesus is our true judge. Not us.
And knowing that, well, our reconciliation had better be complete! And it is. So if you find yourself committing sin, simply stop, and return to walking in the Spirit, by trusting in Jesus' death to have completely reconciled you to God. And thank Him for making Him forever His!
Much love!
This is a really good question and gets to the heart of what the Bible says. I am not saying that all of my sins are always apparent to me, but I do know this: the Holy Spirit will put it on my heart, He is not shy about convicting me. Jesus said the Spirit
“will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). So while I may not see everything at once in myself, God is faithful to illuminate the darkness where He wants me to repent and grow. That is what Psalm 139: 23–24 is asking God to do
, “Search me, O God, and know my heart… see if there be any wicked way in me.”
You asked why sin causes a break in fellowship if we are reconciled in Christ. The Scriptures make a distinction between our salvation and our fellowship.
Our salvation is secure in Christ, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). That is true.
But fellowship is broken by sin. David was still the Lord’s child when he sinned, but in Psalm 32: 3 he said,
“When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.” His salvation was not gone,
but his joy and closeness to God were. That is why 1 John 1: 9 encourages believers,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
You asked if the death of Jesus is enough.
Of course it is, that is why we can confess and be cleansed. His death paid the price, all of it, once for all (Hebrews 10:14). But God has designed fellowship with Him to include ongoing confession of our sin. Confession is not about “earning” forgiveness, it is about walking in the light.
“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another” (1 John 1:7).
You brought up Paul saying he did not judge himself (1 Corinthians 4:3). That does not mean that Paul did not have sin in his life that needed to be addressed. In the same letter to the Corinthians, he told them to
“examine yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). The point there is that the ultimate judgment belongs to Christ,
but daily self-examination keeps us humble and close to Him.
So yes, our reconciliation in Christ is complete. Nothing can change that. But if we excuse sin, minimize it, or refuse to confess it,
we forfeit intimacy with the Father until we humble ourselves again. God is not “technical” about keeping a scorecard, but He is holy and sin always hinders fellowship. That is why Hebrews 12: 6 says,
“Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” If someone claims they can live in sin with no interruption in fellowship with the Father,
they are deceiving themselves, not following the Spirit and most likely not saved at all.
To summarize, Jesus’ sacrifice is enough. Salvation is secure. Fellowship is restored through confession to God, not a man. Salvation is our standing. Fellowship is our walk. Both matter and both are plainly taught in Scripture.
