The Grace of Confession, Part 10

02-18-26 Grace of Confession 10

High-Detail Theological Outline (Chronological Flow of Delivery)

Sermon Title and Context

 Series: “The Grace of Confession” (Wednesday night study)

Session: Capstone introduction toward concluding the series

Creation date reference: Content delivered and summarized from the recording created on 2026-02-18 19:12:05

Speaker: James Romeri (spells name: R-A-M as in Michael, I-E-R-I)

Opening Remarks and Housekeeping

 Personal note: Removes candy from mouth.

Audience note: Many listeners access these studies weekly—via app and personal sharing.

Purpose: Introduces himself for new listeners.

Series Continuation and Topic Overview

 Ongoing study: “The Grace of Confession”

Immediate plan: Take a moment of silent prayer as customary; it aligns with the subject of confession.

Key verse introduced:

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

  Doctrinal emphasis:

   Importance of having no unconfessed sin to ensure the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Distinction:

 Indwelling of the Spirit cannot be lost.

Filling of the Spirit can be lost and regained.

Fellowship vs. salvation:

 Fellowship with God can be broken by sin.

Salvation/eternity is secure.

All sins (past, present, future) imputed to Jesus Christ at the cross.

Provision for instantaneous restoration to fellowship: confession.

Definition of Confession

 Confession defined as “naming and citing” the sin to God.

What confession is not:

 Not feeling guilty.

Not doing penance.

Not promising God never to do it again.

Effect of confession:

 God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse (1 John 1:9 repeated).

Ensures the filling of the Spirit.

Importance of Confession Before Bible Study

 Exhortation: Keep short accounts with God.

Particular importance: Prior to studying the Word of God.

Clarifications:

 One may still understand some teaching without present filling due to doctrine previously resident in the soul.

Yet the Holy Spirit is the true teacher.

Doctrinal assertion:

 “The natural man cannot understand the things of God.”

  Implication: Must be filled with the Spirit to “metabolize” new Bible doctrine.

Without filling of the Spirit, one cannot metabolize doctrine.

Moment of Silent Prayer

 Instruction: Take a moment to name any sins to God to ensure filling of the Spirit.

Pastoral Prayer

 Thanksgiving for the day and opportunities to glorify God.

Thanksgiving for the gathering to study the Word.

Acknowledgment: God’s Word is the power system; application of the Word to life pressures glorifies God.

Petition:

 That the study glorifies and worships God through His Word.

That the Holy Spirit opens hearts of listeners (present and future).

That the Word is quickened to souls, edifying and aiding execution of God’s plan for our lives.

For empowerment to speak with the authority God’s Word deserves and with grace that God’s Word teaches.

Conclusion: “in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Logistics: Slides Access

 Question to audience: Confirming QR code accessibility for slides.

Communication and Accessibility of Teaching

 Note to David: Fulfilling prior promise to mention social media/public posting.

Daily content:

 “Strength for Today” posted usually in the morning; short, uplifting, doctrinal segments.

Origin: Previously hosted a show titled “Strength for Today.”

Distribution:

 Posts are public on Facebook; no friend request necessary to read.

Also sent via text/email to those not on social media (approximately thirty recipients).

Contact process:

 Do not share personal number on the broadcast.

Contact the church; Samantha may, at her discretion, facilitate exchanging contact info.

Accessibility stance:

 Desire to make teaching as accessible as possible.

Will block if someone becomes troublesome; trusts God to handle such matters.

Posting Frequency and Current Events

 Sometimes posts multiple items per day.

Addresses current community issues when pastorally appropriate.

Recent topic referenced:

 Shooting at the ice rink (and Brown University shooting mentioned).

Many in his circle affected.

Reading of Today’s Public Statement on Transgender Ideology

 Approach:

  Speaking carefully and honestly.

Many approach with anger or avoid; aim is compassion and truth.

Individuals are made in God’s image—avoid dehumanizing labels.

Scripture references and doctrinal points:

 Genesis 1:27 — “God created man in His own image. Male and female He created them.”

  Identity established by God before culture, feelings, confusion.

Body is intentional, not accidental; physical body not separate from the person.

Psalm 139:14 — “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

 Includes aspects of ourselves we struggle to understand.

Jeremiah 17:9 — “The heart is more deceitful than all else.”

 The Fall and human disorder; feelings are not always reliable; broader human brokenness includes gender confusion but is not limited to it.

Compassion emphasis:

 Gender dysphoria is experienced pain, not chosen pain.

Personal emotion acknowledged: speaker suffers from mental struggles; empathy is required.

Christians must not mock, shame, or dehumanize those with involuntary struggles.

Jesus’ model:

 Tenderness toward people in distress.

Compassion does not require affirming what is untrue.

Grace and truth together.

John 1:14 — “The Word became flesh, full of grace and truth.”

 Love does not redefine reality; love walks toward what heals.

Identity doctrine:

 Identity is received from the Creator, not self-constructed.

1 Corinthians 6:20 — “You have been bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body.”

Christian message is transformation from the inside out, not self-repair by effort.

Hope is in restoration through Christ, often patient and progressive.

Pastoral appeal:

 To anyone experiencing confusion: You are not a mistake, not beyond hope, not rejected by God.

Warning: You are not helped by being told confusion is your final identity.

True identity is in Christ, who invites rather than begins by condemning.

Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Summary axiom:

 Truth without love crushes; love without truth misleads.

God offers both; both lead to healing.

Closing of segment: Prayerful desire for restoration, clarity, peace in the soul by discovering identity in Him.

Concludes: “And amen to that.”

Transition to Theological Focus: Capstone of “Grace of Confession”

 Issue framed:

  Not whether confession is biblical (settled over past ten weeks).

Central question: Is 1 John addressing salvation or fellowship?

 This is where differences of opinion arise.

Tone commitment:

 Addressed with grace.

No stone-throwing; not naming other teachers.

Acknowledges a movement that denies confession for today; disagrees but respects.

Belief: Those holding opposing views are not willfully false teachers; they are passionate and sincere though mistaken.

Core Distinction for Interpreting 1 John

 Two interpretive options:

  Salvation-test interpretation vs. fellowship interpretation.

Speaker’s stance:

 Will interpret 1 John as addressing fellowship, not salvation.

Plan:

 Over tonight and next session (hoping for two weeks total), tackle three main passages often used to support salvation-test reading and demonstrate they do not teach that.

Doctrinal areas affected by the distinction:

 Grace

Eternal security

Assurance of salvation

Existence of the carnal believer

Motivation for the Christian life

Future topic preview:

 Will briefly define and address “Lordship salvation” (probably not tonight).

  Working definition forthcoming; some may be unfamiliar.

Assessment: It is not accurate teaching, though popularized by well-known figures.

Interpretation 1: Salvation-Test Reading (Reformed/Lordship Perspective)

 Description:

  First John treated as tests of genuine salvation.

Obedience and perseverance as proof of regeneration.

Failure seen as evidence of false faith.

Passages commonly cited for this view:

 1 John 2:19

1 John 3:6–10

1 John 5:4–5

Doctrinal consequences of this interpretation:

 Behavior-based assurance.

Denial of carnality (no category for carnal Christians).

Confusion over confession.

Interpretation 2: Fellowship Reading (Classical Dispensational Grace Theology)

 Description:

  First John written to believers.

Salvation is settled at faith alone in Christ alone.

Sin affects fellowship, not justification.

Confession restores fellowship and the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Instructional prompt:

 “So, we turn to turn if you want.” (Transition indicating beginning to examine passages; further verse-by-verse handling to follow in subsequent teaching.)

High-Detail Theological Outline (Chronological Flow: Assurance and Fellowship in 1 John)

 Opening passage read and initial emphasis

  Scripture: 1 John 2:12–14

   Quoted emphasis: “I am writing to you, little children … because your sins have been forgiven … on account of His name.”

Note: Underlined “little children” and emphasis on forgiveness as completed.

Connection to prior context:

 Scripture: 1 John 1:9

  Quoted: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”

Doctrinal observation:

 Forgiveness is presented as a completed act for believers; confession restores fellowship, not salvation.

The audience identified:

 “Fathers”: “because you know Him who has been from the beginning.”

“Young men”: “because you have overcome the evil one” and “because you are strong, and the Word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

“Children”: “because you know the Father.”

Theological point:

 The passage addresses believers at different stages of spiritual growth (children, young men, fathers).

The tone and content do not indicate an address to Gnostics or unbelievers.

Assurance and purpose of the epistle

 Scripture: 1 John 5:13

  Quoted: “I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Observation:

 This states the purpose of the book: assurance to those who already believe and possess eternal life.

Personal study note:

 “Believe” circled in notes to emphasize the audience: “I have written to you who believe”—not “who might believe.”

Doctrinal clarification:

 Counters the view that 1 John is a “test of salvation”; instead, the epistle is written to believers for assurance.

Theme of the epistle: fellowship

 Scripture: 1 John 1:3

  Quoted: “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.”

Greek word study:

 “Fellowship” = koinōnia (κοινωνία)

Definition:

 Fellowship is experiential, post-salvation, and conditional.

Not synonymous with justification; salvation is distinct from fellowship.

Doctrinal point:

 Salvation and fellowship are separate categories: salvation is a birth; fellowship is a walk.

Walking and fellowship contrasted with darkness

 Scripture: 1 John 1:6–7

  Quoted/expounded:

   “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

    Instruction: Underline “practice” (will recur later).

Doctrinal point:

 Sin breaks fellowship and places the believer outside the predesigned plan of God (walking in the flesh rather than walking in the Spirit).

“But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Hermeneutical principle:

 Scripture must be interpreted with scripture; one verse never negates the rest of the Bible.

Apparent discrepancies arise from our understanding, not from the Word itself; the Word of God is infallible and without contradiction.

Pastoral attribution:

 “Pastor Tim” often stated: due to the accuracy/preciseness of Greek, the Word is subject to one interpretation; God intended one understanding, not multiple.

Illustration:

 “Rabbit trails” in conversation (e.g., speculative questions like “Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons?”) distract from sound doctrine and lead to confusion.

Walking language across the epistles (Paul’s corroboration)

 Scripture: Romans 6:4

  Quoted: “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”

Greek grammatical note:

 “May” is in the subjunctive mood (possibility: maybe you will, maybe you won’t).

Doctrinal point:

 God’s intention is that believers walk in newness of life; however, failure to do so does not negate salvation. Salvation is a separate issue from the walk.

Scripture: Galatians 5:16

 Quoted: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.”

Doctrinal point:

 The exhortation implies the real possibility of carnality for believers.

If obedience were automatic at salvation (as in certain Lordship Salvation formulations), such exhortations would be unnecessary.

Reality: carnality can and does occur in Christianity.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1

 Quoted: “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.”

Doctrinal point:

 Separation implied: one may possess the calling but fail to walk worthy of it.

Confession in context: fellowship versus salvation

 Doctrinal summary:

  Confession restores fellowship, not salvation.

Salvation is a birth; fellowship is a walk (repeated for emphasis).

If confession maintained salvation, salvation would be repeatedly lost and regained—contradicting justification by faith and eternal security.

Contemporary application/social media note:

 No passages teach “how to get saved again.”

Many Lordship Salvation proponents avoid asserting loss of salvation (hard to prove biblically) and instead conclude those living wrongly “were never saved.”

 Pastoral caution: We cannot see the heart to know regeneration definitively.

Observation: A carnal believer can look exactly like an unbeliever; sometimes worse.

 Pastoral attribution: “Pastor Baba” has said this many times.

Reason: Unbelievers may still live outwardly moral lives under divine establishment principles, while believers out of fellowship may commit worse atrocities.

Historical note:

 Some of the worst atrocities have been done “in the name of religion” by those out of fellowship (e.g., crusader arrogance, violent acts like bombing abortion clinics).

Capstone text for this series: abiding and sin practice

 Scripture: 1 John 3:6

  Quoted: “No one who remains in Him sins continually; no one who sins continually has seen Him or knows Him.”

Greek/tense analysis:

 Present tense verbs indicate continuous or habitual action.

John denies a lifestyle of rebellion while abiding in Christ; he is not teaching sinless perfection.

Doctrinal point:

 Continuous sin practice is incompatible with abiding fellowship; divine discipline will ensue for believers who persist in rebellion.

Greek word study: “know” in Johannine usage

 Terms introduced:

  Oida (οἶδα)

   Meaning: absolute knowledge.

Used in passages to stress certainty; not the term used in 1 John 3:6.

Ginoskō (γινώσκω)

 Meaning: experiential knowledge.

In 1 John 3:6, “knows Him” = egnōken (perfect of ginōskō), denoting experiential knowledge, not absolute knowledge.

Exegetical implication:

 The absence of oida in 1 John 3:6 indicates John is not asserting lack of absolute salvific knowledge, but lack of experiential knowing of Christ in fellowship for those persisting in sin practice.

Necessity of original language study for accurate interpretation of 1 John.

Cross-reference to illustrate experiential “knowing”

 Scripture: John 14:9

  Quoted: “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Greek note:

 “Know” = ginōskō.

Illustration:

 Disciples (saved) still lacked experiential knowledge in some respects; supports reading of 1 John 3:6 as experiential rather than absolute.

Summary affirmation on present-tense “practice” and fellowship

 Doctrinal reinforcement:

  1 John 3:6’s present tense underscores habitual sin practice, not isolated acts.

Abiding fellowship is incompatible with continuous rebellion; discipline follows.

Pastoral illustration:

 Personal testimony: estrangement from son James for four years.

  During estrangement, he remained a son (unchanged relationship by birth) but lacked fellowship (no communication).

Application:

 Salvation (birth/relationship) is distinct from fellowship (walk/communication).

Believers may be “estranged” from fellowship while remaining children of God; restoration brings renewed fellowship, not re-salvation.

Praise report: James restored to fellowship and serving in ministry.

Scripture References in Exact Order Mentioned (to this point)

 1 John 1:9

Genesis 1:27

Psalm 139:14

Jeremiah 17:9

John 1:14

1 Corinthians 6:20

Matthew 11:28

1 John 2:12–14

1 John 1:9 (re-referenced)

1 John 5:13

1 John 1:3

1 John 1:6–7

Romans 6:4

Galatians 5:16

Ephesians 4:1

1 John 3:6

John 14:9

High-Detail Theological Outline (Chronological Flow: Carnality, Inheritance, and Kingdom Participation)

 Opening assertion and setup

  “This is not trickery… very, very easy to understand.”

Topic focus: Carnality in Scripture

Primary text: 1 Corinthians 3:1–3

Secondary text to hold: Galatians (we will go there briefly)

Thematic frame: Foundations of living

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 read and explained

 Quote/paraphrase emphasis:

  “I… could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ.”

They are “fleshly… infants in Christ.”

“I gave you milk to drink, not solid food… you are still fleshly… jealousy and strife among you… walking like ordinary people.”

Doctrinal point:

 Carnality can exist in believers; they remain “in Christ” yet are “fleshly.”

These are saved individuals (“in Christ”) whose life is presently dominated by the flesh.

Carnality is presented as a ruling system, not occasional failure.

Galatians 5:19–21 introduced (initial list of deeds of the flesh)

 Quote emphasis:

  “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident… sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these… those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Immediate concern raised:

 “Will not inherit the kingdom of God” needs careful theological handling.

Detour: Extended theological clarification on Galatians 5:16–21

 Galatians 5:16–18 read first (context before vv. 19–21)

  Quote emphasis:

   “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

“The flesh sets its desire against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; these are in opposition… so that you may not do the things that you please.”

“If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Doctrinal point:

 Paul is addressing believers, describing the internal conflict of two natures (flesh vs. Spirit), not believer vs. unbeliever.

The passage concerns the spiritual life of Christians, not entrance conditions to salvation.

If Galatians 5:21 were teaching loss of salvation, Galatians 5:16 would be unnecessary in its present form because believers do still sin post-salvation.

Key lexical note: “practice” in Galatians 5:21

 Greek word: πράσσω (prassō)

Morphology: present active participle

Meaning:

 Describes lifestyle, pattern, governing authority—not a single act.

Indicates a mode of living under the control of the sin nature.

Doctrinal conclusion:

 Paul is describing carnality as a ruling system rather than intermittent failure.

Return tie-in to 1 Corinthians 3:1–3

 “Brethren… men of flesh… you are still fleshly.”

Believers are saved yet dominated by the flesh.

Word study and inheritance key term

 Greek term for “inherit”: κληρονομέω (klēronomeō)

  Meaning: to inherit, receive a possession/share.

Theological frame:

 Inheritance in Scripture is tied to family privilege, not family membership.

You do not become a son by inheritance; you inherit because you are already a son.

Romans 8:16–17 referenced

 “Children of God… if children, then heirs also.”

Inheritance is a believer concept (sons first, heirs second), not for unbelievers.

Paul uses inheritance language repeatedly in connection with believers’ rewards.

Cross-reference: 1 Corinthians 6:9–11

 Read/expound:

  “The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God… fornicators… idolaters… adulterers… effeminate… homosexuals… thieves… covetous… drunkards… revilers… swindlers will not inherit…”

“Such were some of you; but you were washed… sanctified… justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

Doctrinal point:

 Same lists and warnings are given to believers.

Verse 11 affirms salvation status (“washed… sanctified… justified”) while warning regarding inheritance.

Distinction: salvation status intact; inheritance at issue.

Cross-reference: Ephesians 5:3–5 contrasted with Ephesians 2 (same audience)

 Ephesians 5:3–5 read:

  “Immorality or impurity or greed must not be named among you… no filthiness… silly talk… coarse jesting… rather giving of thanks.”

“No immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 quoted conceptually:

 “By grace you are saved through faith… not of works… gift of God…”

Doctrinal reconciliation:

 Ephesians 5 does not negate Ephesians 2.

Ephesians 5 concerns inheritance, not salvation.

Paul warns about loss of participation in the predesigned plan of God, not loss of salvation.

Pastoral attribution and equal privilege principle

 Attribution: “Pastor Bob” (Robert McLaughlin)

  Teaching emphasized: equal privilege and equal opportunity for every believer to serve God.

Eschatological point:

 In heaven there is not equality of rewards/responsibilities.

Different stages of reward and rulership—“not every believer is going to rule.”

Continuation of study will build on this reality.

Distinction of entrance vs. inheritance texts (listed)

 Entrance into the kingdom:

  John 3:5

1 Corinthians 15:50

Inheritance/possession/reigning:

 2 Timothy 2:12 — “If we endure, we will reign with Him.”

  Clarification:

   Some misuse this to teach perseverance for salvation.

Not true; salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.

Endurance relates to reigning/reward, not to becoming saved.

Hermeneutical principle:

 Rightly divide the Word; different passages address different subjects without contradiction.

“Seven laws of the harvest” forthcoming will harmonize these points.

Galatians 5:21 restated with interpretive scope

 Summary:

  Paul warns about experiential and future participation in Christ’s reign, not eternal life.

A believer living under the flesh forfeits reward, reigning capacity, experiential kingdom life now, may come under divine discipline, and could face sin unto death.

Saved into the kingdom but not living kingdom life.

Immediate context confirmation: Galatians 5:22–23

 Read:

  “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… against such things there is no law.”

Doctrinal points:

 Chapter concerns two conflicting ways to live for believers:

  Walk in the predesigned plan of God—Spirit bears fruit; “no law” applies to the righteous nature.

Walk in the flesh—no inheritance, no execution of God’s plan, no eternal rewards, no ruling position.

The initial imperative—“Walk by the Spirit”—frames the whole argument.

Doctrinal summary (explicitly stated)

 Galatians 5:19–21 is not a salvation warning; it is a carnality warning.

Salvation determines citizenship; spiritual growth determines inheritance.

Paul’s question is about ruling influence (Christ vs. flesh), not about salvation status.

The warning: not “you might go to hell,” but “you might waste your eternal future.”

Galatians 5 functions as a Bema Seat passage disguised within sanctification teaching.

Kingdom and Bema Seat are connected.

 Every believer enters the kingdom (eternal life).

Not every believer shares the same role in the kingdom.

Judgment Seat references and works vs. sin

 Romans 14:10

  “We will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:10

 “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds.”

Word note:

 “Deeds” (ergon) evaluated; not “sins” (hamartia).

Theological point:

 Sins were judged at the cross; believers are not judged for sins in eternity.

The Bema evaluates works—whether empowered by God or “wood, hay, straw.”

Conclusion:

 Judgment Seat concerns privilege, authority, reward in Christ’s administration.

Control/interpretive passage revisited: 2 Timothy 2:12

 “If we endure, we will reign with Him.”

Distinction:

 Belief relates to salvation; endurance relates to reigning (inheritance language).

Luke 19:17 referenced (parable of minas/talents)

 “Ruler over one city and ten cities”—kingdom rulership.

Kingdom is government, not merely location.

Inheritance equals participation in Christ’s administration.

Principle:

 The flesh disqualifies capacity, not sonship.

Return to Galatians 5 with capacity emphasis

 Deeds of the flesh listed; “those who practice them will not inherit.”

Keyword “inherit” tied to capacity:

 Inheritance requires spiritual capacity.

God will not entrust ruling authority to the believer who never matures beyond carnality.

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 referenced (without turning)

 “Saved yet suffering loss… saved yet as through fire.”

Doctrinal point:

 Loss in this passage = loss of inheritance/reward, not loss of salvation.

Ephesians 5:5 and Ephesians 5:8 juxtaposed

 Ephesians 5:5: “No immoral/impure person… has an inheritance…”

Ephesians 5:8: “You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”

Point:

 Saved status affirmed; inheritance warned.

Inheritance ≠ entering heaven; it is our role within the kingdom.

Galatians 5:16–23 summary application

 Walk by the Spirit → fruit → kingdom life expressed now.

Walk by the flesh → no inheritance → wasted life.

Believer can be positionally in the kingdom yet experientially outside kingdom life—this is carnality.

Theological principle restated

 Salvation grants citizenship; spiritual growth grants inheritance.

Every believer will live in eternity; not every believer will reign in eternity.

Revelation 3:21 addressed (Laodicea context)

 Common misuse in lordship salvation debates.

Revelation 3:21:

 “He who overcomes, I will grant him to sit down with Me on My throne.”

Not a salvation text; throne language = inheritance/rulership.

Salvation repeatedly taught as by faith alone; endurance/perseverance relates to capacity and reward.

Laodicea notes (brief):

 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”

Lukewarm condition; “vomit you out of My mouth.”

Focus kept on distinction between salvation and rulership reward.

Galatians 5:21 final synthesis

 Life dominated by the flesh does not prepare for participation in Christ’s future government.

Salvation is not lost; capacity was never developed.

Warning concerns eternal purpose and role, not entrance to heaven.

Concluding assertions on carnality and kingdom participation

 Galatians 5 warns about eternity (role/reward), not heaven (entrance).

“He is in the kingdom, but he does not share in the kingdom.”

Forward-looking segue:

 Upcoming focus: confession for today.

First John is an epistle written to believers.

The distinction we have just studied (salvation vs. inheritance) will inform passages in 1 John.

This series will drive home that point over the final two weeks.

Scripture References in the Precise Order Mentioned (continued)

 1 Corinthians 3:1–3

Galatians 5:19–21

Galatians 5:16–18

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 (re-referenced for comparison)

Romans 8:16–17

1 Corinthians 6:9–11

Ephesians 5:3–5

Ephesians 2:8–9 (conceptual citation)

John 3:5

1 Corinthians 15:50

2 Timothy 2:12

Galatians 5:16–18, 19–21 (flow back into context)

Galatians 5:22–23

Romans 14:10

2 Corinthians 5:10

2 Timothy 2:12 (re-stated as controlling passage)

Luke 19:17

Galatians 5:19–21 (reaffirmed keyword “inherit”)

1 Corinthians 3:12–15

Ephesians 5:5

Ephesians 5:8

Galatians 5:16–23 (summary application)

Revelation 3:21

High-Detail Theological Outline (Chronological Flow: Hermeneutics, Lordship Critique, and Closing)

 Opening admonition on interpretation and categorical teaching

  “You can clearly see that some of these things can be misconstrued if they're not interpreted properly and they can kind of mix and collapse different categories.”

Principle: The Bible must be taught categorically; do not take scriptures out of context.

 “The Bible has to be taught categorically; you cannot take scriptures out of context.”

“Everything means something. Everything needs to fit into its proper place.”

Warning: Do not take truths from one category and apply them to another.

 “You cannot take categories and things out of one category and just apply them to another whole category, and this is how people get confused.”

Transition to closing passage

 “And we're going to just wrap this up in a minute here. I'll probably end it with this verse here: Hebrews five … Hebrews chapter five, eleven through fourteen.”

“Yeah, just a little bit more and we'll close … Hebrews chapter five eleven through fourteen.”

Scripture reading: Hebrews 5:11–14

 “Concerning him, we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain since you have become poor listeners.”

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God.”

“And, you have come to need milk and not solid food for everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness. For he is an infant.”

“But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.”

Doctrinal emphasis:

 The call to maturity and discernment: “solid food is for the mature.”

The necessity of practice to train senses to distinguish good from evil.

Rebuke: Becoming “poor listeners” hinders growth into teaching roles.

“Elementary principles” require revisiting when believers regress to “milk.”

Doctrinal consequences of misreading 1 John as a salvation test

 “So the doctrinal consequences of looking at First John as a salvation test…”

Consequences listed:

 Undermines eternal security.

Destroys assurance.

Mixes grace with works, which cannot happen because that contradicts other passages of Scripture.

 Supporting principle quoted: “If it is by grace, then it can no longer be of works.” (Pauline principle; aligns with Romans 11:6)

“Again in First John. We can't just negate the rest of the Bible; we have to just understand that this all works together here.”

Encourages legalism and introspection.

Eliminates the biblical function of confession.

 Pastoral observation: “And this is what people have done, unfortunately.”

Doctrinal benefits of reading 1 John as a fellowship epistle

 “So, the doctrinal benefits of looking at the epistle of First John from the standpoint of fellowship…”

Benefits listed:

 Salvation remains secure.

Assurance is objective.

Confession functions biblically.

Growth is encouraged.

Discipline is parental.

Grace remains grace.

Summary assertions:

 “First John is a fellowship epistle written to believers.”

“Confession is for today because fellowship is for today.”

“Grace governs both salvation and the Christian life.”

Transition to future study plan

 “And then that's what we're going to end it because then we're going to start getting into the first of the three passages that I want to cover.”

Preview for next session:

 “Which next week we'll start out with: ‘Why First John two nineteen is not a salvation test.’”

Promise of substantive content: “And a lot of good stuff coming up in this.”

Teaching process note:

 “I kind of wanted to… I debated whether to have that little part there, but … it wasn't part of the study.”

Genesis of the added clarification: Galatians 5:19–21

 “What ended up happening with me when I read… when I was going over Galatians five nineteen to twenty one, and I got to the end of that.”

Quoted phrase from Galatians 5:21:

 “These things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Doctrinal distinction drawn:

 “We have to point that out. We have to talk about the difference between getting into heaven, and having rulership privileges in heaven.”

“So many passages talk about this.”

Christ’s confession teaching referenced with Greek term:

 “Even when Jesus talks about homo legato, ‘I will confess him to my Father,’ and it's not talking about salvation; it's talking about having a title.”

  Greek note: homologeō (to confess, acknowledge) applied to royal/title acknowledgment before the Father, not initial salvation.

“It's talking about having a title in heaven.”

Conclusion of this distinction:

 “So, there is a difference that is very clear in Scripture.”

Warning about misapplication of non-salvation texts to salvation

 “But, what happens too many times is people take these verses out of context that were never meant to have anything to do with salvation, and they apply them to salvation.”

Pastoral concern:

 “And they heap this condemnation. And this guilt and all of these things onto people's heads: ‘that you need to be doing this, and you need to be doing that, and you can't do this, and you can't do that.’”

Lifestyle legalism critique:

 “That's not how a Christian lives. That's not how a Christian dresses. That's not how a Christian talks. You need to be always showing…”

Lordship Salvation critique:

 “And that's what Lordship Salvation does. It's not just you are saved by believing; there also has to be a level of commitment.”

Quoted slogan refuted:

 “If Jesus is not Lord of all, He's not Lord at all.”

Theological judgment: “That contradicts everything in Scripture; it's not true.”

Balance and forthcoming “laws of the harvest”

 “But as we're going to get into—especially when we get into the laws of the harvest—we're not just glossing over it and saying just live any old way you want.”

Consequence doctrine:

 “You can, but you are going to lose out on so many things.”

“So there is a place to talk about living, and that is how we glorify God…”

Sanctification application:

 “By walking in the Spirit, spending as much time in the Spirit as we can.”

“By confessing any known sin, getting back in fellowship.”

“Letting God take away those things.”

Prior teaching reference: intimacy and idolatry revealed

 “I preached about it a couple of a month ago that the closer you draw to God, the more God's intimacy with God is going to reveal the things that you were using to replace Him.”

Application:

 “There are many things in our lives that we use to replace our relationship with God.”

“Those things need to go—not to be saved; you are saved by faith—but those things need to go if you ever want to live the kind of life that God has ordained for you…”

Escrow blessings doctrine

 “And receive those escrow blessings that I talk about all time.”

Election/grace framing:

 “That God has graced you out with in eternity past.”

Eschatological warning:

 “Most of us, a lot of us, are going to get to eternity, and those blessings is just going to be on display.”

“This is what you could have had. This is what you could have gotten. These are the rewards you could have had if you would only followed the things I said.”

Salvation assurance with loss of reward:

 “But you're going to be saved again as by fire.”

Conclusion and closing prayer transition

 “But anyway, let's close. So that way I can stop the recording here, and we'll bow our heads.”

“David, do you want to close us in prayer?”

Closing prayer (by David) summarizing distinctions and applications

 Thanksgiving:

  “Thank You so much Father once again for this. It's a wonderful opportunity that we are learning the difference between salvation and fellowship, between works and also salvation.”

Doctrinal clarity requests:

 “Because we realize if we get confused, that those are two different things: one is for citizenship, and the other one is for inheritance.”

  Distinction: Salvation = citizenship; inheritance = rulership/reward.

Christ’s cost and our opportunity:

 “Bless us, Father, that we can realize that it is a way to know that salvation costs the Lord Jesus Christ everything, and fellowship costs an opportunity.”

Volitional emphasis:

 “Choose for or against, we still have that choice.”

Spiritual life purpose:

 “Help us, Father, to understand that we are living this wonderful spiritual life that has so much meaning, so much purpose.”

Inheritance pursuit:

 “Help us, Father, in our walk to understand and to look for the opportunity to receive the inheritance that all of us wants to receive.”

Closing in Christ’s name:

 “I ask Father for all that and everything else in Christ's name. Amen.”

Post-prayer remark

 “What I like about you were saying.”

Scripture References in the Exact Order Mentioned

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

2. Genesis 1:27 — “God created man in His own image. Male and female He created them.”

3. Psalm 139:14 — “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

4. Jeremiah 17:9 — “The heart is more deceitful than all else.”

5. John 1:14 — “The Word became flesh, full of grace and truth.”

6. 1 Corinthians 6:20 — “You have been bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body.”

7. Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

8. 1 John 2:12–14 — “I am writing to you, little children … because your sins have been forgiven … on account of His name.”

9. 1 John 1:9 (re-referenced)

10. 1 John 5:13 — “I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

11. 1 John 1:3 — “So that you too may have fellowship with us… our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

12. 1 John 1:6–7 — “If we say… and yet walk in darkness… But if we walk in the light…”

13. Romans 6:4 — “So we too may walk in newness of life.” (subjunctive noted)

14. Galatians 5:16 — “Walk by the Spirit…”

15. Ephesians 4:1 — “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling…”

16. 1 John 3:6 — “No one who remains in Him sins continually…”

17. John 14:9 — “You have not come to know Me, Philip…” (ginōskō)

18. 1 Corinthians 3:1–3 — “As to infants in Christ… you are still fleshly…”

19. Galatians 5:19–21 — “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

20. Galatians 5:16–18 — “Walk by the Spirit…”

21. 1 Corinthians 3:1–3 (re-referenced)

22. Romans 8:16–17 — “If children, then heirs also…”

23. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 — “The unrighteous will not inherit… such were some of you… but you were washed…”

24. Ephesians 5:3–5 — “Has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

25. Ephesians 2:8–9 — “By grace you are saved through faith… not of works…”

26. John 3:5 — Entrance into the kingdom.

27. 1 Corinthians 15:50 — Entrance/kingdom nature.

28. 2 Timothy 2:12 — “If we endure, we will reign with Him.”

29. Galatians 5:16–18, 19–21 (context flow re-engaged)

30. Galatians 5:22–23 — “The fruit of the Spirit… against such things there is no law.”

31. Romans 14:10 — “We will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”

32. 2 Corinthians 5:10 — “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”

33. 2 Timothy 2:12 (re-stated)

34. Luke 19:17 — “You shall have authority over ten cities.”

35. Galatians 5:19–21 (inheritance keyword reaffirmed)

36. 1 Corinthians 3:12–15 — “Saved yet as through fire.”

37. Ephesians 5:5 — “Has no inheritance…”

38. Ephesians 5:8 — “Now you are light in the Lord.”

39. Galatians 5:16–23 (summary application)

40. Revelation 3:21 — “Grant him to sit down with Me on My throne.”

41. Hebrews 5:11–14 — “Milk… solid food… senses trained…”

Key Definitions, Word Studies, and Original Language Notes

Confession

 Defined as “naming and citing” the sin to God (not guilt, penance, or promising never to do it again).

Koinōnia (κοινωνία)

 Fellowship; experiential, post-salvation, conditional; not equivalent to justification.

Oida (οἶδα)

 Absolute knowledge; denotes certainty; not used in 1 John 3:6.

Ginoskō (γινώσκω)

 Experiential knowledge; 1 John 3:6 uses egnōken (perfect of ginōskō), indicating experiential knowing of Christ.

Greek grammar

 Subjunctive mood in Romans 6:4 (“may walk”): indicates possibility, not inevitability; supports distinction between salvation and sanctification/walk.

Present tense in 1 John 3:6: indicates continuous/habitual action (“sins continually”), not isolated acts; denies abiding fellowship amidst persistent sin.

Prassō (πράσσω) — Galatians 5:21

 Form: present active participle.

Sense: ongoing lifestyle/pattern; governing authority of the sin nature, not isolated acts.

Klēronomeō (κληρονομέω)

 Sense: to inherit, receive a possession/share; tied to family privilege and reward, not to becoming a son.

Homologeō (ὁμολογέω) — “I will confess him to My Father”

 Applied to acknowledgment/title before the Father (royal recognition), not initial justification.

Doctrinal Points, Applications, Illustrations, and Attributions (Chronological)

Confession and Fellowship

 Indwelling vs. filling of the Spirit distinction.

Confession restores fellowship; salvation remains secure.

“The natural man cannot understand the things of God” — filling of the Spirit needed to metabolize doctrine.

Pastoral Prayer Application

 Word as power system; application glorifies God.

Petition for Spirit’s opening of hearts; edification; grace and authority in teaching.

Communication/Access

 Public posts; church contact through Samantha; accessibility with discretion against trouble.

Compassion and Truth on Identity

 Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:14; Jeremiah 17:9; John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Matthew 11:28 used to frame identity as received from God.

Emphasis: Grace and truth together; avoid dehumanization; hope in Christ’s restoration.

1 John as Fellowship Epistle

 1 John 2:12–14; 5:13; 1:3; 1:6–7 establish believer audience, assurance goal, fellowship theme.

Hermeneutics: Scripture interprets Scripture; precision of Greek (attribution: Pastor Tim).

Illustration: Avoid “rabbit trails.”

Paul’s “Walk” Texts and Carnality

 Romans 6:4 (subjunctive), Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 4:1 show sanctification commands imply possibility of failure; counters automatic obedience (Lordship).

Carnal Believer Category

 Observation: Carnal believers can resemble or surpass unbelievers (attribution: Pastor Baba).

Historical abuses in religion used as cautionary examples.

Abiding vs. Habitual Sin Practice (1 John 3:6)

 Present tense denial of sinless perfection; prohibits continuous rebellion while abiding; discipline ensues.

Word study: oida vs. ginōskō; experiential knowledge framework; John 14:9 illustration.

Illustration: Estrangement and restoration with son James; relationship vs. fellowship distinction.

Carnality and Inheritance (1 Corinthians 3:1–3; Galatians 5)

 Prassō indicates lifestyle; klēronomeō indicates privilege for sons.

Romans 8:16–17: heirs because sons.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Ephesians 5:3–5 warn believers about inheritance loss while affirming salvation (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Attribution: Pastor Bob (Robert McLaughlin): equal privilege and equal opportunity; unequal rewards and rulership.

Entrance vs. Inheritance distinction (John 3:5; 1 Corinthians 15:50 vs. 2 Timothy 2:12; Luke 19:17).

Bema Seat focus (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10): evaluation of deeds; sins judged at the cross.

Revelation 3:21: Overcoming relates to throne/rulership (inheritance), not salvation.

Principle: Salvation = citizenship; growth = inheritance and ruling capacity.

Hermeneutics and Category Integrity

 Warning against collapsing categories; “teach categorically.”

Hebrews 5:11–14: call to maturity, discernment through practice.

Consequences of Misreading 1 John as Salvation Test

 Undermines eternal security and assurance; mixes grace with works (“If it is by grace, then it can no longer be of works.”).

Breeds legalism and introspection; eliminates confession’s biblical function.

Benefits of Reading 1 John as Fellowship

 Secures salvation assurance; confession functions; growth encouraged; discipline parental; grace remains grace.

Lordship Salvation Critique

 False maxim refuted: “If Jesus is not Lord of all, He’s not Lord at all.”

Salvation is by faith alone; added commitment standards conflate categories and produce guilt.

Sanctification Practice and “Laws of the Harvest”

 Not license to sin; consequences include loss of reward/rulership.

Walk by the Spirit; confess known sin; let God remove substitutes.

Intimacy with God reveals idols that must go for ordained living and reward.

Escrow Blessings Doctrine

 God’s grace provision “in eternity past.”

Many will be “saved as by fire” with missed displayed rewards of what “you could have had.”

Closing and Prayer (David)

 Distinction affirmed: salvation (citizenship) vs. inheritance (rulership/reward).

Volitional choice in spiritual life; pursuit of inheritance; meaning and purpose in spiritual life.

Amen.

Date Context

Content creation date: 2026-02-18 19:12:05