UNCONFESSED sin and the RAPTURE

 "Will unconfessed sin of a born again believer 

cause him to miss the Rapture?"

The question was presented to me by Joseph, a pastor-friend of mine.

To answer his question, I will use his own material.

Which he shared with me over four years ago, on 13 June 2020:

"Once we become born again, all our sins, past, present, future, are forgiven! In that sense, we are justified and positionally pure, sinless, in God’s sight because Jesus paid the price for all our sins by His death. He died in our place so we may live!"

How merciful is the LORD!

And all because we are born again.

But what is "unconfessed sin"?

Obviously it's sin we haven't confessed, because we're not aware it's a sin.

It's sin we haven't confessed, as we're not aware we've sinned.

As born again, I always pray to JESUS each day.

To please let me be aware of ALL my sins.

The known, and unknown.

It's a painful process.

But a very healing, and necessary process for me.

I simply want to be aware of my sins.

And be corrected by JESUS.

It's a daily discipline to do so.

As my friend said:

"For the rest of our lives as born again Christians, the challenge to stay away from sin will always be there."

What assures the born again of salvation?

Or being part of the Rapture?

Despite having some "unconfessed sin"?

SPIRIT led me to these verses:

Psalm 34:19

King James Version

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: 

but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Ephesians 1:7

King James Version

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, 

the forgiveness of sins, 

according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 1:11

King James Version

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, 

being predestinated according to the purpose of him 

who worketh all things 

after the counsel of his own will:

Ephesians 1:13

King James Version

13 In whom ye also trusted, 

after that ye heard the word of truth, 

the gospel of your salvation: 

in whom also after that ye believed, 

ye were sealed 

with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 2:8-9

King James Version

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; 

and that not of yourselves: 

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, 

lest any man should boast.

Romans 5:1-2

King James Version

5 Therefore being justified by faith, 

we have peace with God 

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith 

into this grace wherein we stand, 

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:5-6

King James Version

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; 

because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts 

by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength, 

in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:8-9

King James Version

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, 

in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, 

being now justified by his blood, 

we shall be saved from wrath 

through him.

Romans 5:10

King James Version

10 For if, when we were enemies, 

we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, 

much more, being reconciled, 

we shall be saved by his life.

Romans 5:11

King James Version

11 And not only so, 

but we also joy in God 

through our Lord Jesus Christ, 

by whom we have now received 

the atonement.

Romans 5:15

King James Version

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. 

For if through the offence of one many be dead, 

much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, 

which is by one man, Jesus Christ, 

hath abounded unto many.

Romans 5:16

King James Version

16 And not as it was by one that sinned, 

so is the gift: 

for the judgment was by one to condemnation, 

but the free gift is of many offences 

unto justification.

Romans 5:17

King James Version

17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; 

much more they which receive abundance of grace 

and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life 

by one, Jesus Christ.)

Romans 5:18

King James Version

18 Therefore as by the offence of one 

judgment came upon all men to condemnation; 

even so by the righteousness of one 

the free gift came upon all men 

unto justification of life.

Romans 5:19

King James Version

19 For as by one man's disobedience 

many were made sinners, 

so by the obedience of one 

shall many be made righteous.

Romans 5:20

King James Version

20 Moreover the law entered, 

that the offence might abound. 

But where sin abounded, 

grace did much more abound:

Romans 5:16-21

King James Version

21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, 

even so might grace reign 

through righteousness unto eternal life 

by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here are the KEY phrases:

the Lord delivereth him out of them all

redemption through his blood

according to the riches of his grace

after the counsel of his own will

sealed with that holy Spirit of promise

by grace are ye saved through faith

the gift of God

justified by faith

through our Lord Jesus Christ

rejoice in hope of the glory of God

the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us

when we were yet without strength

Christ died for the ungodly

while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

being now justified by his blood

we shall be saved from wrath through him

when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son

being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life

we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ

by whom we have now received the atonement

the free gift

grace of God

gift by grace

which is by one man, Jesus Christ

hath abounded unto many

the free gift is of many offenses unto justification

the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ

by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life

by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous

where sin abounded, grace did much more abound

as sin had reigned unto death, even so might grace reign

through righteousness unto eternal life

by Jesus Christ our Lord

It's all about GRACE -- a GIFT from GOD.

And FAITH, knowing we are saved.

Such is righteousness, through JUSTIFICATION.

Only through JESUS CHRIST.

GOD really understands our plight.

He is not indifferent to flesh, and weakness.

Psalm 78:39

King James Version

39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; 

a wind that passeth away, 

and cometh not again.

Only through His Son, JESUS, can we have the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption we need.

1 Corinthians 1:30

King James Version

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, 

who of God is made unto us wisdom, 

and righteousness, 

and sanctification, 

and redemption:

Something you will find helpful is another article we wrote in 2020:

"ABC's of SALVATION by J.D. Farag"

Related material:

CONFESSING our sins

Sin AWARENESS

GOD's MERCY

GOSPEL of SALVATION

GOD's PLAN of SALVATON

SALVATION

How do we become SANCTIFIED?

How to Reconcile With God

BORN AGAIN articles

Verses from Bible Gateway

BONUS verse: As I went to the Bible Gateway website to provide the link above, SPIRIT gifted me with a relevant verse:

Proverbs 14:34

King James Version

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: 

but sin is a reproach to any people.

Astounding!

The WORLD today

 

Isaiah 59:2

King James Version

2 But your iniquities have separated 

between you and your God, 

and your sins have hid his face from you, 

that he will not hear.

Man is famous for backsliding.

It's like a part of our genetic makeup.

We obey GOD's commands, for a while.

Sooner than soon, we're all back to our old ways.

Incurring GOD's wrath once more.

And on and on, the cycle goes.

Scripture describes the state of our world today.

Proverbs 30:11-14

King James Version

11 There is a generation that curseth their father, 

and doth not bless their mother.

12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, 

and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! 

and their eyelids are lifted up.

14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, 

and their jaw teeth as knives, 

to devour the poor from off the earth, 

and the needy from among men.

Sin separates us from GOD.

Sin is the state of the world today. 

Is it man's joy, to displease GOD?

Does he delight, in doing so?

It is Satan's delight, to mock GOD.

And to destroy us, in the process.

Behind every evil thought, word, or deed, is Satan's spirit.

Only by GOD's mercy are we not "consumed".

Lamentations 3:22-23

King James Version

22 It is of the Lord's mercies 

that we are not consumed, 

because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: 

great is thy faithfulness.

Why do we keep testing GOD's patience?

Shall we wait for His wrath, before we return to Him?

Are not the prophecies being fulfilled?

Are not the prophecies warnings?

Are we going to wait for the last minute before we repent?

Before we even acknowledge we've sinned?

Are we going to continue listening to false prophets, and antichrists?

Are we going to continue being high, and mighty, and painfully ignorant?

What will it take to wake up?

We need to be born again, by GOD.

Being born again means we turn to Scripture.

We turn from our old ways.

We follow JESUS.

We obey the LORD's commands.

We have NO desire to sin anymore.

We want to get things right, this time around.

We listen to SPIRIT, Who teaches us about JESUS.

We live by Scripture, not man's word.

SCRIPTURE is JESUS.

It's the only way we can change the world.

If we let JESUS change us.

From within.

Related material:

Which GENERATION are you?

JESUS the MEDIATOR

Sin AWARENESS

The devil's DEVICES

BORN AGAIN articles

Image: Clipart Library

What is CARNAL?

 

1 Corinthians 2:14

King James Version

14 But the natural man receiveth not 

the things of the Spirit of God: 

for they are foolishness unto him: 

neither can he know them, 

because they are spiritually discerned.

What does "carnal" mean?

Who are carnal?

What does it have to do with sin?

Dictionaries define "carnal" as having fleshly desires.

Worldly desires, even to the point of gluttony.

No wonder, in my own language, we have a word called "karne".

Meat, flesh.

How would the Bible define "carnal"?

That definition matters to the born again.

Here's what we found:

Romans 7:14-21

King James Version

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: 

but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: 

for what I would, that do I not; 

but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, 

I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, 

but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) 

dwelleth no good thing: 

for to will is present with me; 

but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: 

but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, 

it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, 

evil is present with me.

Romans 8:5-8

King James Version

5 For they that are after the flesh 

do mind the things of the flesh; 

but they that are after the Spirit 

the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; 

but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: 

for it is not subject to the law of God, 

neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh 

cannot please God.

1 Corinthians 3:3

King James Version

3 For ye are yet carnal: 

for whereas there is among you 

envying, 

and strife, 

and divisions, 

are ye not carnal, 

and walk as men?

Galatians 5:19-21

King James Version

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, 

which are these; 

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, 

emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, 

drunkenness, revellings, and such like: 

of the which I tell you before, 

as I have also told you in time past, 

that they which do such things 

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

In SUMMARY, "carnal" refers to these things:

in one's flesh, dwelleth no good thing

to be carnally minded is death

the carnal mind is enmity against God

they that are in the flesh cannot please God

envying, strife, and divisions, are carnal

those who commit works of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom of God

How can we overcome carnal things?

How can we correct our carnal selves?

We need to be born again.

That we may be taught by SPIRIT.

That we may understand the teachings of JESUS.

That we may worship GOD alone.

That we may be pure in mind, body, and spirit.

Our bodies are the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

King James Version

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, 

and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, 

him shall God destroy; 

for the temple of God is holy, 

which temple ye are.

As such, we are to respect ourselves, and others.

We are to be in service to the LORD, and not self.

Our goal is holiness.

That we may be worthy of the LORD.

Here are important verses to guide us:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

King James Version

3 For though we walk in the flesh, 

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, 

but mighty through God 

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, 

and every high thing that exalteth itself 

against the knowledge of God, 

and bringing into captivity every thought 

to the obedience of Christ;

Galatians 5:16-17

King James Version

16 This I say then, 

Walk in the Spirit, 

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, 

and the Spirit against the flesh: 

and these are contrary the one to the other: 

so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:22-23

King James Version

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love, joy, peace, longsuffering, 

gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: 

against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:24

King James Version

24 And they that are Christ's 

have crucified the flesh 

with the affections and lusts.

Galatians 5:25

King James Version

25 If we live in the Spirit, 

let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:26

King James Version

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, 

provoking one another, 

envying one another.

Related material:

"Carnal" definition

SINS of the FLESH

Sin AWARENESS

SPIRIT of GOD

HOLINESS

Image: Clipart Library

On TAKING responsibility

 

Proverbs 29:23

King James Version

23 A man's pride shall bring him low: 

but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

What does man normally do, when things go wrong?

We blame others.

No one wants to take responsibility.

We don't have the courage to own our mistakes.

And that's the first mistake.

We cannot correct self, unless we accept our mistakes.

We cannot get better, unless we are humble enough to accept we were in the wrong.

That we've been duped, because we'd been asleep at the wheel.

That we've hurt others, because we did not care, or did not care to know.

As there are billions of people, there can be billions of excuses.

Consider these stock answers:

"Where's your homework?"

"The dog ate it."

"You're late!"

"Traffic."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't have the heart to tell you."

Now, I didn't mean to laugh.

But the funniest of them all was what I found in the Bible today.

It truly reflects man's nature.

GOD asked Adam:

Genesis 3:9-11

King James Version

9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, 

and said unto him, Where art thou?

10 And he said, 

I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, 

because I was naked; and I hid myself.

11 And he said, 

Who told thee that thou wast naked? 

Hast thou eaten of the tree, 

whereof I commanded thee 

that thou shouldest not eat?

(Can you imagine Adam trembling by now?)

Adam answers:

Genesis 3:12

King James Version

12 And the man said, 

The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, 

she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Then, GOD asks woman:

Genesis 3:13

King James Version

13a And the Lord God said unto the woman, 

What is this that thou hast done? 

The woman answers:

Genesis 3:13

King James Version

13b And the woman said, 

The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

It's always someone else's fault.

As if we have no control over our emotions.

As if we cannot think for ourselves.

As if we have handy scapegoats.

But I noticed something.

GOD did not question the serpent.

He did not ask: 

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

Surely, the LORD knew the nature of the perpetrator traitor.

The once beautiful cherub fell from heaven.

Nothing good can come from him.

JESUS did tell the Pharisees :

John 8:44-45

King James Version

44 Ye are of your father the devil, 

and the lusts of your father ye will do. 

He was a murderer from the beginning, 

and abode not in the truth, 

because there is no truth in him. 

When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: 

for he is a liar, and the father of it.

That old serpent got what was coming to him.

Genesis 3:14-15

King James Version

14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, 

Because thou hast done this, 

thou art cursed above all cattle, 

and above every beast of the field; 

upon thy belly shalt thou go, 

and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

15 And I will put enmity between thee 

and the woman, 

and between thy seed and her seed; 

it shall bruise thy head, 

and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Man, and woman, got judgment from GOD, too.

But what about you?

What do you do when you feel you've done something wrong?

What do you do when you believe you've wronged a person?

What do you do when you've failed to do something?

Do you ask for forgiveness?

Do you try to make amends?

Do you accept your error?

Are you even aware of your errors?

Or do you do what Adam, and Eve, did?

"She dunnit."

"Serpent dunnit."

Related material:

Sin AWARENESS

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PROOF of sin

 

Romans 12:3

King James Version

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, 

to every man that is among you, 

not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; 

but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt 

to every man the measure of faith.

It's something people don't like to talk about.

It makes people cringe, and become furious.

People avoid it all they can.

Even pastors don't want to call attention to it.

Lest they lose their membership base.

But a born again workman must talk about it.

This is the sticky thing people refuse to acknowledge:

We are all sinners.

And yet the Bible has proof.

"Yeah, but what about babies," they ask.

"You mean to tell me they've sinned?"

"But I've done good works, how can I sin?"

"I pray all the time; am I a sinner?"

These may be acceptable to Catholics.

But not to one tasked to study Scripture.

The true born again must be Berean in approach.

Acts 17:11

King James Version

11 These were more noble 

than those in Thessalonica, 

in that they received the word 

with all readiness of mind, 

and searched the scriptures daily, 

whether those things were so.

A born again workman must be accurate.

2 Timothy 2:15

King James Version

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, 

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 

rightly dividing the word of truth.

A born again is taught by SPIRIT.

We live by Scripture.

SPIRIT and Scripture do not lie.

GOD's laws are clear.

Here are the facts:

Only GOD is good.

Matthew 19:17

King James Version

17 And he said unto him, 

Why callest thou me good? 

there is none good but one, that is, God: 

but if thou wilt enter into life, 

keep the commandments.

ALL have sinned.

Romans 3:23

King James Version

23 For all have sinned, 

and come short of the glory of God;

Through Adam, all of us have sinned:

Romans 5:12

King James Version

12 Wherefore, as by one man 

sin entered into the world, 

and death by sin; 

and so death passed upon all men, 

for that all have sinned:

In ONE verse, EVERYTHING about sin was defined:

"by one man sin entered into the world"

"death by sin"

"death passed upon all men"

"for that all have sinned"

We all die.

That's proof we are all sinners.

The first man's sin caused death, and hardship, upon us all.

GOD spoke these words:

Genesis 3:17-19

King James Version

17 And unto Adam he said, 

Because thou hast hearkened 

unto the voice of thy wife,

 and hast eaten of the tree, 

of which I commanded thee, saying, 

Thou shalt not eat of it: 

cursed is the ground for thy sake; 

in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; 

and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 

till thou return unto the ground; 

for out of it wast thou taken: 

for dust thou art, 

and unto dust shalt thou return.

But GOD is merciful.

He does not want ANY to perish.

2 Peter 3:9

King James Version

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, 

as some men count slackness; 

but is longsuffering to us-ward, 

not willing that any should perish, 

but that all should come to repentance.

Through His only begotten Son, JESUS, we have forgiveness of sins, and ETERNAL LIFE.

John 3:16-17

King James Version

16 For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in him 

should not perish, 

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world 

to condemn the world; but that the world 

through him might be saved.

Ephesians 1:7

King James Version

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, 

the forgiveness of sins, 

according to the riches of his grace;

Hebrews 2:14

King James Version

14 Forasmuch then as the children 

are partakers of flesh and blood, 

he also himself likewise took part of the same; 

that through death he might destroy him 

that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

In JESUS is LIFE.

In the devil, is death.

In JESUS is holiness.

In the devil, is sin.

In JESUS is the RESURRECTION.

In the devil, is eternal damnation.

Unless we are born again, we cannot accept GOD's truth.

We will continue to defy, distort, or disobey.

Only through the SPIRIT of GOD can we know His laws.

JESUS made sure of that.

John 16:7-11

King James Version

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; 

It is expedient for you that I go away: 

for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; 

but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, 

he will reprove the world of sin, 

and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, 

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world 

is judged.

We may have started out with original sin.

We may have continued as sinners.

But we don't have to die as sinners.

Related material:

JESUS and Satan

Sin AWARENESS

REPENTANCE

SALVATION

BORN AGAIN articles

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