Reality Church Curriculum

Total Forgiveness

© 2015 Reality Church

Main Points

At salvation believers are forgiven for all sin past, present, and future.

Only blood brings forgiveness.

Believers do not need to confess their sins to be more forgiven.

The Holy Spirit does not convict believers of sin.

When believers sin we can thank Jesus for His grace and offer our bodies to God as a response to His grace.

I. At salvation believers are forgiven for all sin past, present, and future.

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

1. Believers have been perfectly cleansed from sin.

B. “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12, 10:17

1. God remembers believers’ sins no more.2. This does not mean He has randomly forgotten

them. It means that He has intentionally taken them away through Christ’s finished work.

C. “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.” 1 John 2:12

1. Forgiveness is a past tense, completed act.

II. Only blood brings forgiveness.

A. “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22

1. The only thing that brings forgiveness is blood.

B. “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.” Leviticus 17:11

1. This principle began in the Old Testament.

2. The Jews did not look to outward actions like confession to bring forgiveness. They only looked to blood.

C. “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Hebrews 10:1-4

1. Under the Law the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin completely. It only acted as a

temporary covering. This is why a greater sacrifice was needed.

D. “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, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:11-14

1. Christ’s offering was sufficient to bring total forgiveness.

2. Jesus offered Himself once and sat down because the work was finished.

III. Believers do not need to confess their sins to be more forgiven.

A. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

1. Only blood brings forgiveness, not confession.

2. John was combating an early form of Gnosticism in 1 John. Gnostics believed two main things: Sin was not an issue with God so it could be practiced and Jesus did not come in the flesh.

3. With 1 John 1:8-10 John was essentially saying “we” in this group who deny sin are lost. However, if we “confess” our sins we can be saved.

B. “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:1-3

1. John combated the lie that Jesus did not come physically using sensory descriptions.

2. It is important to take context into consideration.

IV. The Holy Spirit does not convict believers of sin.

A. “And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws upon their heart and on their mind I will write them,’ He then says, ‘And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’” Hebrews 10:15-17

  1. The Holy Spirit remembers our sins no more. He is testifying to us constantly about what Jesus has done and who we are because of His finished work.

B. “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me…” John 16:8-9

  1. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin. Who is the world? Unbelievers!

C. “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.’” Revelation 12:10

  1. God remembers our sins no more but Satan does remember them!

2. Who’s voice are you listening to more?

V. When believers sin we can thank Jesus for His grace and offer our bodies to God as a response to His grace.

A. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1

  1. What should we do when we sin? Thank Jesus for His grace and make a wiser decision next time.

2. Our sin may have impacted another individual. If this is the case we can make amends with this person.

However, we can do so knowing that we are still good with God.

Discussion Questions

1. Is it hard for you to accept total forgiveness? Why or why not?

2. What do you personally do when you sin? Is it biblical?

3. Does the Holy Spirit convict believers of sin? Why or why not?

4. Who seeks to convict and accuse believers of sin?

5. Who’s voice has been influencing you most, God or Satan?

6. What is Gnosticism? How is it relevant to understanding 1 John 1:9?

7. How forgiven are you?