QUESTIONS/ANSWERS FROM THE QUESTION FORUM
Group Number 33
I
find I simply am too busy to attend church. By the end of the week, my body needs to be rested and my strength renewed. God is blessing me without the church.
No one can be more busy than was our blessed Lord. He wore His disciples out with His extensive work for the Father. Of course, He did not wear Himself out in the carpenter shop--at least we have no record of such a thing. However, in spite of all of the activities related to His ministry, His "custom" was to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and to participate (Luke 4:16). If there were no more in the Word of God than that, it utterly devastates any claim to being too busy. Jesus' business even included all night vigils of prayer--and once forty days of fasting alone. Incidentally, immediately after that 40 day fasting and temptation, He returned in the power of the Spirit, and began ministering in the synagogues (Lk 4:14-15).
Gathering with God's people is more than a mere formality. The Lord Jesus promised to be among those who gathered together in His name (Matt 18:20). I do not believe such a promise was made concerning our means of making a living. Too, if He is there, what possible reason can be adduced for me NOT being there.
Paul told the Corinthians when they gathered together, the Lord Jesus, Paul's own spirit, and the power of the Lord Jesus was with them (1 Cor 5:4). It is quite true that this related to the problem of the Corinthian fornicator. However, that is the point of the whole passage--when they came together there were Divine resources available to them that simply were not available anywhere else. It might also be noted that hey were not exactly an ideal assembly.
If it is true that God has placed the members in the body where it has pleased Him (1 Cor 12:18), and that each of them has been gifted with graces that minister to their brethren (1 Cor 12:12), what possible logic can be presented for refusing to gather with them? Who is the person that will dare to say of any member of the body (to say nothing of the body itself) "I have no need of you" (1 Cor 12:21-22).
I would seriously question the reasonableness of spending all of my time so I could help advance the work of the Lord, then absent myself from the people who are themselves the Lord's workmanship. That would be like Jesus giving Himself for us, then spending no time with us. Further, if it is true that every member has been placed where God wants them, and that they have been endued with abilities to "profit" their brethren, is it not a sin to refuse that ministry from them. It is a ministry that takes place in an assembly, which is the whole point of the fourteen chapter of First Corinthians.
During the time of Malachi, things dropped to an all time low. The prophets prophesied falsely, the priests used deceit, and the people stooped so low as to rob God and profane His altar. If ever there was a time when not meeting together could be justified, I suppose that would have been the time. But there was a cluster of godly people who feared the Lord, and "spoke often" with one another about Him. The Scripture records that God took note of them, made up a book of their names, and declared they would be His when He gathered up His jewels (Mal 3:16-17). The question this brother must be asked, is if he would have been among that number. And if he would not, what form of spiritual reasoning would lead to the conclusion that God accepted the person anyway?
Of course, God has told us NOT to forsake coming together. He has also said it was already the manner of some to do precisely that. I imagine those forsakers could have offered seemingly good reasons for their neglect -- but it was still neglect. If Joseph and Mary could travel nearly seventy miles to Bethlehem to register for taxes, with expectant Mary riding on the back of a mule, how will any twentieth century believer explain their reluctance to meet for edification. Is there any person naive enough to think such neglect will not have to be explained in the day of judgment? Are we to assume Joseph was not tired, or that he did not have a backlog of carpentry work, or that Mary was not fatigued? That is not to mention the Queen of Sheba, who left a busy political agenda to hear the wisdom of Solomon. She will rise in the day of judgment, according to our Lord, and we will do well to not be put at a disadvantage by her presence.
There is one other factor to consider. We are solemnly warned not to be conformed to the world (Rom 12:1-2), or get caught up in its fashion, which is passing away (1 Cor 7:31). I know from experience about spending long hours in the business world. My formal work week ranged from 80-120 hours--every week. For one five year span, I was fatigued by a workday that started at 3:00 AM, and ended at 12:00 midnight. Yet, during that time, I preached four times a week, maintained six radio broadcasts a week, wrote a forty page periodical every month, and managed a house with six to ten children. I knew that my work would draw me away from God if I did not exercise myself to press in to the Throne. I knew I could not isolate myself from the church Jesus loved and gave Himself for, and expect to receive any blessing from Him. Having significant funds to contribute to the work of the Lord (which I had) did not compensate for neglecting the fellowship of God's people. Whether this brother admits it or not, his soul is being drained by what he is doing. All of the explanations in the world are but a puff of smoke. While he speaks of neglecting Christ's brethren to tend to His family, Jesus spoke of preferring Him above ones family--and He spoke quite clearly about it (Lk 14:26-27). The ONLY way to be the very best husband and father possible is to immerse oneself into God's Kingdom. That is what Jesus had to do, and that is what we also have to do. That Kingdom, like it or not, includes the people God has called to Himself (Heb 12:22-24).
The drain of worldly responsibilities demands constant communication with the saints. Jesus ministers to us through the members of His body (Col 2:19; Eph 4:15-16). If I take myself away from that body, I insult Jesus by imagining He will sustain me privately. No activity, however arduous or holy, can negate the word or example of our blessed Lord. He did not live in the manner described by this brother. No Apostle lived in that manner. In fact, we do not have a single example in all of Scripture of such a manner of living. We have examples of busy people like Moses, the Prophets, John the Baptist, our Lord Himself, Paul, and others--but they all took time to meet with the people of God.
If scientists succeed in cloning a human person will that cloned person have a soul?
It must be remembered that in cloning, which I believe is not right, if it is possible, they begin with an egg and fertilization that already existed. I am careful to those who attempt such things are taking too much upon themselves. Notwithstanding, wherever there is a person who can think, reason, hate, love, and purpose, there is a soul, or spirit -- and God is the only One that can do this (Eccl 12:7).
What do the Jews (orthodox) think about the soul? Specifically, what do they think happens to the soul at death? Please give Bible references in your answer if possible.
I am not an expert on Jewish orthodoxy on this point. Neither, indeed, do I feel their orthodoxy carries much weight. Prior to Jesus, the Lord did not reveal much on this subject. Solomon said the human spirit, upon death, returns to God who gave it (Eccl 12:7). Moses said the patriarch's upon death, were "gathered unto their people" (Gen 25:8). When the child David had through Bathsheba died, he said, " (2 Sam 12:23). John the Apostle saw the "souls of them that were slain for the Word of God" (Rev 6:9). Paul said to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8). He also said he had a desire to "depart and be with Christ" (Phil 1:23).
We do not know precisely where departed souls go. We do know they are conscious and even learn, for Peter James and John saw Moses and Elijah in glory talking with Jesus about His death, concerning which neither one of them uttered one word while on the earth (Lk 9:30-31). Jesus also taught of an occasion when Abraham, in an unseen realm, talked with another departed spirit about Moses and the Prophets, who did not appear until hundreds of years after Abraham lived (Lk 16:29-31).
What is your thought on tithes?
Although there is much controversy about the validity of tithing, it is never questioned in Scripture. Both Abraham and Jacob tithed before the giving of the Law (Gen 14:20; 18:22). Neither of them were commanded to do this, indicating that it was the nature of faith to tithe. Jesus sanctioned the tithe Himself, when He commended the Pharisees for tithing, saying they should have done so, while condemning them for omitting the "weightier" things (Matt 23:23). Hebrews 7:8 affirms that men who die receive tithes here, but that the One of whom it is witnessed that He is alive (Jesus), receives them in heaven. The validity of tithing, therefore, cannot be questioned.
Under the Law, the purpose of the tithe was to honor God with the firstfruits of the harvest, crops, and wages. By doing this, the blessing of God was promised on the remaining portion. Also, these tithes, or firstfruits, were given to the Levitical priests for their sustenance. This was necessary because the Levites who received no inheritance. They labored exclusively for the Lord, and thus the tithes were the appointed way of supporting them (Num 18:24-28). Tithes were also used to provide for strangers among the people, orphans, and widows (Deut 26:12).
Paul alludes to this use of the tithe when speaking of supporting those who preach the Gospel. He refers to the priests living off of the "things of the temple," i.e., the tithes brought in by the people. Then he writes, "Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel" (1 Cor 9:13-14). I understand this to mean Gospel laborers are supported in precisely the same manner as the priests of old--by the tithes of the people.
Some will argue that tithing is a meager offering compared to the greatness of salvation, and therefore ought not to be mentioned to believers at all. But this is a weak argument. Tithes were also a minimum under the Law, which spoke of "tithes AND offerings" (Mal 3:8). I understand tithing to be a minimum, belonging to the Lord. It is the appointed way of obtaining the blessing of God on what remains. It is one practice that was before the Law, during the Law, and after the Law. It cannot be ruled out, therefore, as a practice only inculcated under the Law of Moses.
How do you thank you should Pay your tithes. Once A week or at the last of the month.
Our giving to the Lord must always be from the top, not the bottom. Under the Law God commanded, "You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices" (Ex 22:29). Confirming that this is God's manner, Solomon wrote, "Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase. So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine." (Prov 3:9). Solomon was not writing from the standpoint of Law, as in Exodus, but from the standpoint of wisdom--something that applies to all periods of time.
There are no Laws from God on when giving is to be done. The church at Corinth was told to gather a special collection for poor saints on "the first day of the week" (1 Cor 16:1-2). We assume this was the custom of godly people.
In the last analysis, this is a decision you must make for yourself. God will help you to make it. Remember, in your tithing and giving, you are honoring the Lord, providing for the proclamation of the Gospel and the support of the needy, and opening the door for God to bless what remains. I have every confidence that as you ponder these things, you will do what is pleasing to the Lord.
Anyhow, I read the "We Believe..." section if your web-page and now I'm concerned about my salvation because the page states that when person has falled from the faith he can't come back.
Thank you for sharing your concerns. The section to which you referred is taken from Hebrews 6:4-6. In that passage "falling away" describes a permanent condition in which the heart is so calloused, there is no desire to return to the Lord. That is not what happened to you.
Let me assure you that you are not in a fallen or lost condition. The fact that you have a tender heart confirms that. Jesus will never turn away a soul that comes to Him, whether coming initially to Him, or returning from a bout with sin. You may recall our Savior said, "the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37). God is not looking for a reason to condemn people, but for a reason to save them.
Another comforting word Jesus said about Himself is this. "A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench" (Matt 12:20). What He means is that where there is just a spark of life, He will fan it into a flame. Even when the person is bruised and ready to break, He will not break that reed, but will provide a way to recover and be strong again.
Actually, that is precisely what happened to you. He made you strong again. He caused your fire to burn again. If you had not been sensitive, or had refused to pay attention to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, it might have been another story. But that is not what you did.
There is another text that shows what wonderful mercy has been extended to you. It confirms that you are NOT condemned, but have been restored to the Lord. The passage is found in Second Timothy 2:24-26. "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." In your case, God gave you repentance--enabled you to change your mind and come back to Him. He empowered you to come away from the snare Satan had laid for you. That proves how He loves and cares for you. It also confirms you ARE saved. Praise God! I rejoice with you. You did not fall away in the sense of Hebrews 6:4-6. You are my brother in Jesus, and I am thankful for it.
OK, now I'm confused. I'm one who has been taught that the Ten Commandments were for the Jews, although the moral part, ie-----not killing, stealing, etc. were necessary. I guess my question is, am I supposed to keep the Sabbath?
The Scriptures particularly tell us we are to allow no man to bind sabbath days upon us (Col 2:16). The fourth chapter of Hebrews speaks of a higher and more glorious sabbath into which believers now enter. The text reads, "For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: 'So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world" (Heb 4:3). The remainder of that chapter elaborates on the subject, associating these words with the day on which God "rested" after creation (4:4-6).
What is boils down to is this. The Jews kept the seventh day, and that with a great deal of reluctance, for their hearts were far from God. Those in Christ, on the other hand, enter into a perpetual sabbath that greatly delights the Lord, and them as well. They have entered into the real sabbath (and the word "rest" in Hebrews 4:3 is the word for Sabbath. Their rest consists of ceasing to depend on their own works for their salvation (Heb 4:10).
You are under no obligation to keep the seventh day holy. By virtue of your faith, you have entered into God's own "rest," which the Jews were forbidden to enter (Psa 95:11; Heb 3:11; 4:3,5). By trusting in Christ, you are keeping the sabbath in the highest and most holy sense.
I wonder what the following scripture means?? Colossians 2:14
The text in Colossians 2:14 (and also in Ephesians 2:15), is very carefully stated. In both cases, the KJV uses the word "ordinances." This word is not synonomous with commandments, as Ephesians 2:15 points out (i.e., "commandments contained in ordinances." The idea is that of liquidating the debt incurred from transgressing the commandments, not the blotting out of the commandments themselves. Other versions accentuate this by using the words, "the handwriting of requirements that was against us" (NKJV), "The certificate of debt" (NASB), "the record that stood against us" (NRSV).
The point is that by removing the indebtedness and guilt incurred because of the Law, it could no longer condemn us. The Law was not the problem. Rather, it was "weak through the flesh" (Rom 8:3). It was not the law that was "blotted out," but the record of the transgressions against it , a truth also affirmed by Isaiah in Isaiah 44:22.
I have a friend who is lost. He has his own religion and feels he has a strong faith and relationship with God. He is terminally ill and I feel the need to reach him with the message of Salvation while there is time. Our main "sticking point" seems to be "Paul". He totally discredits him and all that he said in the bible. What would you tell him about Paul?
I have heard of people discrediting Paul. It is not a new problem. Some of those in the Corinthian church also rejected his Apostleship (1 Cor 9:1-3; 2 Cor 3:1). The reason for this is owing the message that Paul preached. It is too hard for the flesh, demanding total reliance upon the Lord.
I believe I would focus on a part of the Scripture this person DID receive--like the book of Acts. That was not written by Paul, but by Luke. Surely your friend does not reject Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts as well. The book of Acts tells about Jesus appearing to Paul and calling him into the Apostleship (Acts 9:1-8). It tells us his conversion (Acts 9:9-18), deliverances, and ministry. In fact, most of the book of Acts (from chapter 13 on) is about Paul. The Lord's call to Him was very specific--he was the Apostle to the Gentiles. Here is an encapsulation of that call. "For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 'I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 'to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me'" (Acts 26:16-18). Your friend must affirm, therefore, that Jesus did not appear to Paul, and that both Luke and Ananias, who ministered to Saul, lied about him. Also, Barnabas brought Paul to the Apostles, telling them how Jesus had appeared to him (Acts 9:27). If Paul is not who he said he was, then Barnabas lied also. Later, the "Apostles and elders" send out Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:22). If Paul was not who he said he was, then the Apostles and elders were deceived.
If Paul is not who he said he was, then Timothy, Titus, and Philemon were also deceived, as well as the churches in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Thessalonica. The ramifications of rejecting Paul go much further than simply arguing about some things he wrote.
Too, Peter (and I hope your friend does not reject him also) commended Paul, speaking of people who twisted what he said, because it was "hard to be understood." "And consider that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures" (2 Peter 2:15-16). Peter calls Paul a "beloved brother," and declares that wisdom was "given to him." Who would care to affirm Peter lied?
I would press upon your friend that rejecting Paul, therefore, means rejecting both Luke and Peter. That means the books of Luke, Acts, and First and Second Peter are not valid. Rejecting Paul means Romans through Hebrews are not to be received either. In total, that means eighteen of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament are not acceptable. I think it takes an extraordinary imagination to even think such a thing.
All of this is not to mention the great proclamations of the grace of God that Paul expounded, or the rationale behind salvation, or the extent to which Jesus went to save us (Phil 2:5-8). Show your friend the result of rejecting Paul's writings. I am sure you will find something he believes
and is depending on, that is developed by Paul. Probe his thoughts to see what he is depending on, and the thoughts that are precious to him. Take them home, and find what Paul said about them. Then share that with him. That way you will be confirming something he depends on with the words of Paul.
WHAT IS THE BOOK OF REVELATION?
The book of Revelation is a message God gave to Jesus to give to the church, or the people of God. The book of Revelation says it this way, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants; things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw" (1:1). John "SAW and heard" the things recorded in book of Revelation (Rev 22:8). It is a sort of spiritual animation of the word God wants the church to know. It introduces no totally new message, but elaborates on things previously declared by the prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles. It views personalities according to their character, calling Satan a "dragon," the one opposing the church a "beast," Jesus as "the "Lamb," and the church as a "woman," etc.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "PROPHECY" AND A "PREDICTION"
Ordinarily speaking, a "prophecy" is the foretelling of something God has determined. A "prediction" is a human guess as to what will happen. Contemporary versions of the Bible (NIV, NASB, NRSV, RSV) use the words "predict" and "prediction" in the same way "prophecy is used." So far as the Bible is concerned, the words are to be viewed the same.
HOW CAN WE BELIEVE THE PREDICTIONS IN THE BOOK?
First, the purpose of the book is not simply to predict what is going to happen. You must get the whole picture of this marvelous book. It is designed to show us how the Lord Jesus will ultimately and openly triumph over all of His foes. The devil will rage against His people, but the saints will also overcome, being at last with the Lord forever. Satan and all of his hosts will finally lost, and be thrust from the presence of the Lord and His people forever. Also, the Lord Jesus will not tolerate sin in either the world or the saints. It will always be visited upon those continuing in it. Although many of the events of Revelation are fulfilled in history, that is not the point. There are principles declared in this book that are to be grasped. Jesus has triumphed over the devil. Jesus will subdue all of His enemies. Satan attacks the saints with ferocity, but is destined to lose. In the end, everything tainted by sin will be removed, and the people of God will forever be with the Lord.
WHY DO THE EVENTS IN THE BOOK HAVE TO OCCUR?
Again, the point is not the "events," but the triumph of Jesus, the victory of His people, and the utter frustration of the devil and his hosts. The "events," which are never the focus of the book, must take place in order for the triumph of Jesus, the victory of His people, and the frustration of the devil to take place. You will notice throughout the book that "the events" are never described like they would be in a history book. That is because they are more a declaration of principles than of things that can be analyzed like historical events. Make sure, there are things to occur in history that are made known in this book. They are always revealed, however, with a covering of mystery over them. That is why believers have always had differing views of the events, when they would occur, and all of the details of them. If that is the way the Lord wanted us to read this book, He could have been very specific about times and places. Instead, He is general in this book. The reason is that He wants us to focus the principles being declared, not the historical events involved in their fulfillment.
WHAT ARE THE EVENTS RELEVANT TO US IN THE REVELATION?
First, the book begins with a blessing being pronounced on "he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it" (Rev 1:3). Second, throughout the book we are told, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22; 13:9). They are relevant because they are a commentary on the "great salvation" which we experience in Christ Jesus. They tell us there is conflict involved–that believers are opposed by the devil and those who are aligned with him. Sometimes that opposition is very general, and sometimes it is large and extensive–even worldwide. But believers will end up with the Lord in spite of the opposition. The book also confirms to us that the world cannot ultimately triumph over the Lord Jesus, whether it is governments or corrupt religion. All of Satan's devices are destined to fail. All of Jesus' designs will prevail. The book of revelation is showing you HOW Jesus is reigning. He is reigning "in the midst of His enemies," as Scripture affirms elsewhere (Psa 110:2). Also, the saints are being brought to heaven through enemy territory. They are in a war zone, not a comfort zone. Their faith is being perfected in the midst of conflict and trouble. That is what is being confirmed in the book of Revelation.
I was wondering if you could send me more information on God. Could he really forgive
me for everything I've done in the past? If you would mail me I would really appericate
it.
God can really forgive the deepest and most corrupt sin. This is the message of the Gospel, which is the good news about the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who He is, and what He has accomplished. Because God is holy, He cannot simply overlook sin, or brush it aside. Sin is always wrong, and it is never right to ignore it--not for God Almighty. If it were not for His infinite wisdom, this would have made all sinners (which is everyone) absolutely hopeless. But God IS infinitely wise, and did something about sin that allowed Him to remain holy and righteous, yet receive those who have sinned.
Simply put, God sent Jesus into the world to deal with the matter of sin. First, Jesus Himself overcame the devil, who is the author of all sin. Satan could not induce Jesus to sin--the only person who gained the total victory over the devil. Now, because Jesus did not sin, He can be a representative for all sinners.
What God did was put the sins of the whole world upon Jesus. By that, He means He made Jesus responsible for all the sin of everyone. The Bible says He "laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6). In another place, it says God "made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Another place it says "He bore our sins in His body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). This, of course, is something we are not capable of understanding fully. It is, however, something we can believe.
This is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross. The sins of the world were placed upon Him, with Him taking total responsibility for them. Then God did to Jesus what should have been done to us--He cursed Jesus. The Bible makes this clear in Galatians 3:13. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree."
If this seems too strong, it is only because it passes beyond our understanding. The glory of this all is that Jesus recovered from the curse. We could not have done so. When Jesus was raised from the dead, God confirmed the penalty for sin had been fully paid by Him.
Now, forgiveness is obtained by receiving the solution God presents to us in Christ Jesus. By "receiving," the Bible means we believe it. We admit we did not deserve it, but we also admit Jesus died for us anyway. We receive the provision God has made for our forgiveness. When this happens, we are forgiven because Jesus really did pay the penalty for our sin. It does not have to be paid again. That is, we do not have to be cursed.
In procuring forgiveness, God gives us some very simple, yet powerful, things to do. These are acts of obedience, and will confirm to our hearts that forgiveness has really occurred. I have already told you of the preeminent requirement--believing the message of God's provision in Christ Jesus. It is also necessary that we "repent," or turn away from our former life and begin to live for Christ. In repentance, the Bible says we turn "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins" (Acts 26:18). Because this is such a difficult thing to do, and men may begin to imagine it is not possible, we are told Jesus can "give repentance" to us (Acts 5:31).
Jesus also requires that we confess, or acknowledge before men without shame, that we believe this. Here is how He says it. "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven" (Matt 10:32). He will also give us strength to do this, even giving us confidence we have done it acceptably.
There is also the matter of being baptized into Christ. This is a response over which the religious world is much divided. However, there is a consistent message about baptism in the Bible. It is never spoken against, and was always the response of people who heard the Gospel (Acts 2:41; 8:12,38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:15,33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16). Baptism is done in water. On one occasion, when a group of people believed the Gospel, it was said, "Can any man forbid WATER, that these should not be baptized" (Acts 10:47). Another time, when a political official had heard the Gospel and believed, he said, "See, here is WATER . What hinders me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36). In baptism, we are personally identified with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection--we become one with Him. That is why it is written, "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). The Bible informs us, therefore, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal 3:27).
After becoming a part of Christ, there is continued provision made for the forgiveness of sin. The Bible says it this way, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness," and "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 1:9; 2:1).
My dear friend, you have every reason to believe you can be forgiven, and God is right in doing so because of what Jesus has accomplished for you.
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