The Grace of Confession, Part 13

03-18-26 The Grace of Confession 13

The Grace of Confession: A Comprehensive Review (2026-03-18)

I. Introduction and Opening Prayer

 A. Speaker's Introduction

  Name: James Ramieri.

 Purpose of introduction: For the sake of the recording, especially for future YouTube content.

 Social Media Presence:

  The speaker posts daily doctrinal teachings on social media.

 Posts are public and do not require a "friend" connection.

 This allows anyone to study the Word of God freely.

 B. Series Overview: "The Grace of Confession"

  This sermon (dated 2026-03-18) is the final study and a comprehensive review of the entire 12-week series.

 All content covered tonight has been taught previously in the series.

 Some points will be covered rapidly, and not all scriptures will be looked up.

 For new listeners, the full 12-part "The Grace of Confession" series is available on the Grace Bible App (G Bible App) under "James Ramirez Bible Study".

 C. The Purpose of Silent Prayer: The Filling of the Spirit

  Basis for confession:  1 John 1:9  - "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

 The Believer's Power System has two parts:

1.  The Filling of the Holy Spirit.

2. The Perception, Metabolization, and Application of Bible Doctrine.

 The filling of the Spirit is a prerequisite for metabolizing Bible doctrine.

 How sin affects the believer:

  Sin breaks  fellowship  with God.

 Sin does not cancel out salvation.

 When in sin, the believer is no longer controlled by the Holy Spirit.

 God's provision to restore fellowship is confession (naming and citing known sin to God).

 D. Opening Prayer

  Gratitude for the opportunity to study God's Word.

 Thankfulness for being back in the church and for God's provision for the ministry and building.

 Prayer for the Holy Spirit to open hearts to understand the truth.

 Prayer for edification and help to execute God's plan.

 Prayer for the speaker to have power, authority, and grace in teaching.

II. Review of Doctrinal Foundations

 A. Context and Future Series Introduction

  The previous session covered verses in 1 John that some misuse as a "test for salvation."

 One verse, 1 John 5:4-5, was not covered and will be addressed in the next session.

 1 John 5:4-5 will serve as the kickoff for the next series: "The Glory of God's Grace."

  The word "glory" means "to put something on display."

 The series is part of the larger "Pre-designed Plan of God" series.

 The focus will be on how to let God's grace be displayed in our lives.

 B. The Origin of the Soul, the Sin Nature, and Imputation

  This was the starting point of the 12-week series.

 The doctrine of imputation was summarized and revisited several times due to its importance.

 1. The Creation of the Human Soul

  The human soul is created immediately and directly by God at birth.

 The soul is immaterial and does not originate through biological processes.

 The soul does not pre-exist conception or get inherited genetically.

 Scriptural support:

   Zechariah 12:1 : God "forming the spirit of man within him."

 Hebrews 12:9: God is called the "Father of spirits."

 Ecclesiastes 12:7: The "spirit returns to God who gave it."

 Isaiah 57:16: God is the one "who made the spirit and the breath of man."

 The soul is created perfect, without sin.

 Sin does not originate in the soul itself.

 Since God is the creator of the soul, He cannot be the author of sin.

 2. The Genetic Transmission of the Sin Nature

  The sin nature is passed down through procreation (genetically).

 This corruption originates with Adam's fall.

 Every member of the human race inherits this fallen nature.

 Scriptural support:

   Romans 5:12 : Sin entered through one man and spread to all.

 Romans 5:19: "through Adam's disobedience, many were made sinners." ("many" means everyone).

 The sin nature resides in the biological structure of the body, not the soul.

 Scriptural support:

   Psalm 51:5 : "in sin my mother conceived me."

 Genesis 5:3: "Adam produced offspring in his own likeness." This shows the genetic passing down of the sin nature. (Attribution to David [McLaughlin] for the principle of going "back to the garden").

 Job 14:4: "who can make the clean out of the unclean?"

 Conclusion: The soul is created by God; the sin nature is inherited from Adam.

 C. The Doctrine of Imputation

  Definition: Imputation is a judicial accounting term meaning "to credit, to charge, and to assign to someone's account."

 There are three major imputations in Scripture.

 Definition of Imputation Types:

   Real Imputation : Something is credited to an object that has a likeness or affinity for the thing being credited.

 Judicial Imputation: Something is credited to an object that has no affinity, correlation, or relationship to the thing being imputed.

 1. Imputation #1: Adam's Sin to the Sin Nature (A REAL Imputation)

  At birth, Adam's original sin was imputed to the genetically transmitted sin nature.

 This is a "real" imputation because sin was imputed to a sinful nature.

 Principle of Universal Condemnation:

  This act made every human a sinner before they committed a single personal sin.

 Some may see this as unfair.

 However, in God's grace, this universal condemnation for the same sin (Adam's) places everyone on the same level. No one is better or worse.

 This qualified everyone to be a recipient of salvation, which is also for something they didn't do (Christ's work).

 God's grace made us sinners for something we didn't do so He could later justify us (by simple belief) for something we also didn't do.

 The sin nature exists prior to the imputation of Adam's sin, therefore God is not the author of sin.

 Scriptural support: Romans 5:12, Romans 5:18, Ephesians 2:3.

 2. Imputation #2: Our Sins to Jesus Christ (A JUDICIAL Imputation)

  This is a judicial imputation because Christ had no inherent similarity or compatibility with sin.

 All our personal sins—past, present, and future—were imputed to Jesus Christ at the cross.

 Application/Key Question: Where were your sins imputed?

  If they were imputed to Christ, they cannot be imputed to you.

 Therefore, as the Bible says, "therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

 Challenge to Familiarity:

  Despite knowing doctrines like reconciliation and atonement, believers often still walk around feeling guilty, condemned, and shamed for their sins.

 They also judge others who have wronged them.

 This indicates a lack of deep, functional understanding of these salvation doctrines.

 The Priority of Doctrine:

  Understanding what was accomplished at the cross and our identity in Christ is paramount.

 Believers often get distracted by eschatology (Tribulation, Antichrist, signs of the times).

 The most important things are:

1.  How to be filled with the Spirit.

2. The perception, metabolization, and application of Bible doctrine.

3. Understanding who you are in Christ.

 Without being filled with the Spirit, a believer is just part of the world (cosmic) system and shouldn't worry about eschatological details.

 The focus should be on God's plan: growing in grace and knowledge by being filled with the Spirit and applying doctrine.

 All of your sins were judged at the cross. It is essential to believe this.

III. The Security of the Believer and the Nature of Sin

 A. Core Principle: Our personal sins were never imputed to us for condemnation.

  This is a fundamental truth we must remind ourselves of, especially when doubts arise.

 This is a review of previously studied material.

 B. Supporting Scripture:

1.   Psalm 32:2

   "How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit?"

2. 2 Corinthians 5:19

  "namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

 C. Application: Believing the Truth over Feelings

  We must choose to believe the Word of God, even if it doesn't make sense or we have feelings of guilt about our sins.

 Confession has nothing to do with penance, guilt, or shame. Adding these prevents restoration to fellowship.

 The correct procedure for dealing with sin is: Name it, cite it, move on.

 D. Clarification: The Absence of Guilt is Not a License to Sin

  There is no room for guilt in the Christian life.

 This does not mean we should live recklessly or riotously.

 The Apostle Paul addressed this: "God forbid that we say that."

 The reality is that my personal sins were already imputed to Christ at the cross and judged.

 Trusting this truth brings freedom to grow and prevents time spent out of God's plan.

 E. The Danger of Unconfessed Sin:

  Feelings of guilt and condemnation can cause believers to avoid God, not wanting to confess or face Him.

 People can go for years in this state, giving up on their spiritual life.

 God never leaves or forsakes the believer.

 To have fellowship with God, it must be on His terms.

  When you sin, you step out of fellowship.

 To restore fellowship: confess, name it, cite it, pick up the pieces, and move on.

 Nothing else is required because all sins were already judged and paid for.

 F. The Meaning of Confession:

  Confession is not about being judged for the sin again.

 It is about agreeing with God ("homologeo").

 You are looking back to the cross, back in history.

 You are agreeing with God that what you did was sin (e.g., anger, bitterness, lying).

 You are acknowledging that this sin was judged at the cross.

 You are telling God, "Now I am going to be back in the pre-designed plan that you have for my life."

 G. The Consequence of Not Confessing: Divine Discipline

  As seen in David's life, long periods without confession will eventually lead to divine discipline.

 The Bible says, "if we judge ourself, we will not be judged."

 Judging yourself means making a determination about your sin.

  The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin.

 You confess it and move on.

 Consistent confession is key to avoiding a life under divine discipline.

IV. The Three Great Imputations: A Review (Continued)

 A. Imputation #2 (Revisited): Our Sins Imputed to Christ

  This happened at the cross, where all our sins were judged.

 Scripture References (not turned to):

  Isaiah 53:5-6

 Isaiah 53:11

 2 Corinthians 5:21

 1 Peter 2:24

 John 1:29

 Colossians 2:13-14

 Hebrews 9:26-28

 Every sin in human history was judged at the cross in Jesus Christ.

 The penalty for sin was fully executed.

 Though believers still sin, these sins are not imputed for eternal condemnation.

 B. Imputation #3: God's Righteousness Imputed to the Believer

  This is a judicial imputation, just like our sins were judicially imputed to Christ.

 Christ had no affinity/compatibility with sin, but our sins were imputed to Him by God's justice.

 Likewise, we have no affinity/compatibility with God's righteousness, yet it is imputed to us.

 Every believer has the very righteousness of God, imputed at the moment of salvation.

 This perfect righteousness meets God's perfect standard.

 This is the basis for our relationship with God.

 This is the basis for justification. Because of this imputation, God can declare the believer righteous. This is justification by faith.

 Key Scripture References (not turned to):

  Romans 4:3-8

 Romans 5:1

 2 Corinthians 5:21 (overlaps)

 Philippians 3:9

 Galatians 2:16

 C. The Result of the Imputations: No Condemnation

   Romans 8:1

   "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

 Textual Criticism Note:

  If your Bible translation has anything after "in Christ Jesus," you should cross it out.

 The phrase "who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit" is not in the original manuscripts and was added by translators.

 D. Excursus: On Bible Translations

  No translation should be condemned or criticized, but we must be aware of their limitations.

 It is a mistake to put too much stock in one translation, even good ones like the King James Version (KJV).

 The KJV is not an infallible translation; you cannot correct the original Greek with the KJV.

 Common sense asks: What did people use for a Bible before 1611?

 It's good to study from more than one English translation.

 The Bible was not written in English. The original Greek has about seven times more words than English translations, making a perfect 1-to-1 capture impossible.

 One must either go back to the original languages or study from multiple translations.

 Avoid arrogance about having the "only right" version of the Bible. Let God lead you.

 E. Summary: The Doctrinal Flow of Salvation

   The Three Great Imputations:

1.   Adam's sin imputed to the sin nature (Condemnation).

2. Our sins imputed to Christ (Doctrine of Atonement).

3. God's righteousness imputed to the believer (Doctrine of Justification).

 This reveals the perfect logic of the grace plan of God.

 Major Summary Points:

  God is the creator of the soul; the soul is not inherited.

 The sin nature comes through Adam; it is genetically transmitted.

 Condemnation is based on Adam's sin, not personal sins.

 Christ was judged for all sins—past, present, and future.

 Salvation is based on imputed righteousness, not human works.

V. The Doctrine of Confession: Post-Salvation Sin

 A. Introduction: Why Confession Matters

  Confession is one of the most practical, grace-oriented doctrines.

 It answers the question: "What happens when a Christian sins after salvation?"

 B. The Two Extremes Caused by Confusion:

1.   First Extreme: Post-salvation sins endanger salvation.

   This is the belief that you can lose your salvation.

 A more popular version is the "you were never really saved in the first place" argument. This is based on a lack of endurance, overcoming, or making Jesus "Lord of everything."

 The "never saved" crowd uses Scripture, though out of context and miscategorized.

 There is no Scripture to support the idea that one can be saved, lose salvation, and get saved again.

 The root of this belief is often legalism and the flesh.

   Illustration:  Human nature cannot comprehend pure grace. Our fleshly thinking says people who "hustle for God," live moral lives, and put in the work cannot fathom someone else receiving grace without the same outward effort.

 God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:7-9). He tells the wicked to forsake their way and He will have compassion. This is incomprehensible to our flesh.

 Illustration: We treat friends well until they betray us, then we cut them off. It's natural to project this behavior onto God.

 Churches that teach this cater to the sin nature. People love to look down on others who don't serve as much, attend as much, or show as much "fruit."

 This makes you the judge, like the Pharisees.

 Legalists cannot stand the doctrine of eternal security.

 Illustration: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The Pharisee, proud of his works, would never want to believe the tax collector asking for mercy could also go to heaven.

 Logical Argument Against Works-Based Security:

  If salvation never depended on anything I did, how can keeping it suddenly depend on what I do?

 Logic dictates there is a new category: the Christian life. Salvation is a one-time, finished event. Jesus said, "It's finished."

2. Distinguishing Salvation from Rewards:

  Verses about reigning and ruling are often misapplied to salvation. They belong in the category of eternal rewards.

 You will get to heaven regardless of your actions after salvation.

 However, it does not make sense that you would rule and reign with Christ if you "lived like hell" and never followed God's plan.

 There is not equality in heaven; this is a biblical fact.

 You cannot take these verses about inequality of rewards and apply them to salvation. This is the essence of categorical Bible teaching.

 Without categorical teaching, you will never be free or understand the Christian life.

 Consequence: Many people quit the Christian life under the pressure of legalistic teaching.

 There will be many people in heaven shocked they are there because they gave up, thinking they weren't saved.

 Our Goal as Teachers: Teach the truth, because the truth will set you free.

3. Second Extreme: Treating sin lightly.

  This is the belief that fellowship with God is unaffected by carnality.

 This is false. When you sin, you are out of fellowship with God.

 God cannot have fellowship with sin.

 C. The Purpose of Confession:

  Confession is  not  to keep us saved; Christ keeps us saved.

 Confession restores the believer to fellowship, not to a relationship.

 D. The Starting Point: The Finished Work of Christ

  Any study of confession must begin at the cross, where all personal sins were judged.

VI. The Great Distinction: Relationship vs. Fellowship

 This was the crux of the previous twelve weeks of study.

 It hinges on the correct interpretation of the epistle of 1 John.

 The study proved 1 John is about fellowship, not a permanent relationship.

  This was demonstrated by a word study of  ginosko  and  oida  (two Greek words for "know").

 A. Personal Analogy/Illustration:

  The speaker was estranged from his son for four years. During that time, the son was still his son. The relationship was permanent.

 The speaker had not seen or spoken to his mother for 15-16 years before returning to doctrine. During that entire time, he never stopped being her son. The relationship was unchangeable.

 Fellowship can be broken, but the underlying relationship (son to parent, believer to God) remains.

 B. Topic: Relationship with God (Salvation)

   John 1:12 : "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name."

   This verse also teaches efficacious grace.

 Romans 8:16: "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God."

 Galatians 3:26: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

  This verse is concise and powerful.

 Doctrinal Summary of Relationship:

  Established at the moment of salvation.

 It is permanent.

 It is based on grace.

 It is rooted in union with Christ.

 It is incapable of being broken.

 C. Topic: Fellowship with God

   Key Scriptures (mentioned, not read) :

     1 John 1:6-7   (leading up to 1 John 1:9)

 Ephesians 5:8

 Galatians 5:16

 Doctrinal Summary of Fellowship:

  Refers to the experiential harmony and communion with God.

 It is conditional.

 It is experiential.

 It is dependent upon walking in the light.

 It is interrupted by sin.

 Key Point: Sin breaks fellowship, but never the relationship. A believer out of fellowship is still a child of God but is not walking in harmony with God's plan.

VII. The Mechanics of Confession (1 John 1:9)

 A. Key Passage: 1 John 1:9 (mentioned, not recited).

 B. The Meaning of "Confession":

   Greek Word Study :  homologeo  (H-O-M-O-L-O-G-E-O).

   Means to acknowledge, to name, to cite, and to agree with God concerning sin.

 Grammatical Point: The verbs "forgive" and "cleanse" in 1 John 1:9 are in the subjunctive mood ("if" - maybe will, maybe won't). This is conditional upon the believer's proper confession.

 C. Comparing "Believe" and "Confess":

   Believe :  pistuo

 Confess: homologeo

 Similarity: Both are non-meritorious actions. It takes no merit to believe and no merit to confess. Confession is simply naming something one did; it earns no credit.

 D. What Confession Is NOT:

   Context : The "no confession" movement of the late 90s/early 2000s arose because people were misusing 1 John 1:9, turning confession into a work.

 Confession is not doing something in the wrong way. It must follow God's proper procedure, just like salvation (faith alone, not faith + works like walking an aisle or baptism).

 Adding things like crying, public spectacles at an altar, etc., will not restore fellowship and may even add more sins (like pride) that need to be confessed.

 Specific Prohibitions:

  It is not penance.

 It is not self-hatred.

 It is not an emotional display.

 It is not promising to do better.

 It is not begging God to forgive.

 It is not making a bargain with God.

 Correct Definition: Confession is the believer's agreement with the divine verdict concerning his failure.

 E. Why Confession Works (from 1 John 1:9):

  "Because God is faithful and just (righteous)."

 Faithful: God will always do what He promised; it's part of His character.

 Just/Righteous: God is justified in forgiving us because all sins were imputed to and paid for by Jesus Christ on the cross.

 Confession does not persuade God to be merciful; it operates on the basis that God's justice has already been satisfied in Christ.

 F. What Confession Accomplishes:

  Restores fellowship.

 Ends carnality.

 Cleanses the believer experientially.

   Clarification on "cleanse us from all unrighteousness" : This includes unknown sins, but also cleanses the "dirt and the garbage" we pick up from the cosmic system while out of fellowship.

 Reopens the way for spiritual growth.

 Restores the believer to the filling ministry of the Holy Spirit.

 G. Further Clarifications on What Confession is NOT:

  Not feeling sorry enough.

 Not public admission before others (sin is private to God). We confess our own sins, not others'.

 Not restitution as a condition for forgiveness.

 Not Rededication:

  The concept of "rededicating your life" at an altar call is unnecessary and often an emotional spectacle.

 The proper response is to simply name it, cite it, and move on.

 Rededication ceremonies get into emotionalism, which the devil uses to take a believer out of God's plan.

 Illustration: In the 90s, the speaker was in a church where people would come forward every week to "give their heart to Jesus." This is sad because it shows a lack of proper teaching on assurance of salvation and relationship. These people have a desire for God but don't understand they already possess Christ.

 H. The Indwelling of Christ as Motivation:

   Attribution : Studying the Shekinah Glory with Pastor Bob (Robert McLaughlin).

 Jesus Christ indwells the believer, just as the Shekinah Glory indwelled the temple.

 Distinction:

   Indwelling of the Holy Spirit : The  power  for the Christian life.

 Indwelling of Christ: The motivation for the Christian life. Knowing He lives inside you should motivate you not to quit.

 Recommendation: Pastor Bob's series on the Shekinah Glory (likely in his Colossians series, searchable on his app) is highly recommended. It may be 25-30 studies long.

VIII. The Consequences of Unconfessed Sin (Carnality)

 A. Walking in Darkness: A believer cannot walk in darkness and maintain fellowship with God.

   Scripture :  1 John 1:6-7

 B. Loss of Joy:

   Scripture :  Psalm 51:12

 Illustration (David): David prayed, "Restore to me the joy of my salvation," not "Restore to me my salvation."

 David was out of fellowship for at least nine months (based on the age of the child when Nathan confronted him). After confessing, he was forgiven.

 Lesson from David: Some divine discipline continued even after forgiveness. His life was spared, but he was on the verge of the sin unto death. This is a sobering thought.

 C. Distinction: Divine Discipline vs. Suffering for Blessing:

  This will be covered in the future "Seven Wars of the Harvest" study.

 Divine Discipline: God starts slow (warning discipline) and it escalates in stages, up to and including death. It becomes unbearable.

 Suffering for Blessing (Testing): It will always be bearable. God will provide the power and the way of escape.

 D. Loss of Spiritual Momentum (Carnality):

   Scriptures :

     1 Corinthians 3:1-3

 Hebrews 5:12-14

 Carnality halts spiritual growth. Sin must be seen in its proper perspective: it hinders our effectiveness and reception of God's blessings.

 Doctrinal Point: The existence of the "carnal believer" is real. Some deny this, claiming such people are unsaved. Paul, however, addressed the Corinthians as "babes in Christ" who were carnal, not spiritual.

 Application: Don't judge whether others are saved or not. Focus on your own plan. God's plan for you does not depend on anyone else.

   Apostle Paul's principle : "I will no longer know any man after the flesh."

 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 Key Scripture on Focus: Hebrews 12 - "looking only unto Jesus."

   Greek Word Study : The original word means to "look away from everything else" and focus only on Jesus.

 E. Loss of Effective Service:

   Scriptures :

     John 15:4-5

 2 Timothy 2:20-21

 When out of fellowship (with unconfessed sin), a believer cannot produce divine good.

 Application: It is critical to keep short accounts with God. Otherwise, a believer can spend a lifetime performing service (giving money, etc.) that will all be burned up as wood, hay, and straw at the Bema Seat Judgment.

 F. The Onset of Divine Discipline:

   Scriptures :

     Hebrews 12:6

 Revelation 3:19

 If we judge ourselves (confess), we will not be judged (disciplined).

 Purpose of Discipline: It is not God "paying you back"; it is a loving Father trying to get His child back on the right road.

 Escalation of Discipline:

1.   Warning Discipline : Loss of peace, inner conviction, misery, disruption of spiritual stability.

2. Intensive Discipline: Intensified pressure, painful consequences, circumstantial adversity, bodily weakness/sickness.

   Scripture :  1 Corinthians 11:30

3. Dying Discipline (The Sin Unto Death): God mercifully takes the believer home early.

   Scripture :  1 John 5:16  (another verse was mentioned but not recalled).

 Consequence: Such a believer will lose rewards and will not rule and reign with Christ.

 Attitude to Avoid: "I'll just have a little tent in heaven and I am okay with that."

IX. Case Study: The Life of David

 A. David's Status: He was called "a man after God's own heart."

   Scripture :  Acts 13:22

 Meaning: This does not mean he was sinless. It means he was grace-oriented, doctrine-responsive, and willing to recover when confronted.

 B. David's Sin:

   Scripture :  2 Samuel 11  (verses 1-27 mentioned but not read).

 Summary of Sins: Adultery with Bathsheba, deception, abuse of authority, and the arranged murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite.

 C. Grace and Sin

  Grace never minimizes sin; it tells the truth about sin.

 Grace also reveals God's provision for recovery.

 D. David’s Delayed Confession and Divine Discipline

   Scripture Reference:  Psalm 32:3-4

   Verse 3: "When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long."

 Verse 4: "For day and night, your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer."

 This describes David remaining under heavy divine discipline.

 E. The Confrontation and Confession of David

   Scripture Reference:  2 Samuel 12:1-12

   This is the story where Nathan the prophet confronts David with the parable of the man and the little lamb.

 David becomes angry at the injustice in the story.

 Nathan's declaration: "You are the man."

 The Turning Point: 2 Samuel 12:13

  David's response: "I have sinned against the Lord."

 This is the model of true confession:

  No excuses

 No blame-shifting

 No manipulation

 No self-atonement

 Just acknowledgment.

 Nathan’s Immediate Reply: "The Lord also has taken away your sin."

  This demonstrates the immediacy of grace recovery.

 F. Psalm 51: The Story of Restoration

  Review of a previous study on Psalm 51:1-12.

 David appeals to God's lovingkindness, not his own merit.

 David acknowledges the reality of his sin.

 David seeks cleansing and restoration.

 Crucial Point: David asks for the restoration of joy, not for re-salvation.

  He did not ask God to save him again.

 He did not have a rededication ceremony.

 He asked for:

1.  Restored fellowship

2. Restored usefulness

3. Restored joy

 G. Balancing Truth: Forgiveness and Consequences

  Forgiveness is immediate when confession occurs, but consequences can remain.

 Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 12:10-14

  Though David was forgiven, temporal consequences continued.

 Principle: Forgiveness removes guilt before God, but it does not always remove the temporal results of bad decisions.

 Look Ahead: This will be covered extensively in a future series, "The Seven Laws of the Harvest."

  This future series is very important.

 The current study ("The Grace of Confession") and the upcoming "The Glory of God's Grace" are preparatory for it.

 The Laws of the Harvest have both positive and negative sides.

 They are laws God has put into place that we must learn from.

X. The Path to Recovery and Forward Movement

 A. Confession is Not Paralysis

  Confession is never meant to leave the believer paralyzed in introspection.

 After recovery, the believer is to:

  Resume fellowship.

 Resume learning doctrine.

 Resume spiritual growth.

 Resume service to the plan of God.

 B. David as an Example of Recovery

  David recovered, continued to grow, lead, and be used by God, even with remaining consequences.

 He picked himself up and moved forward in God's plan.

 Illustration: David's great sins (adultery with a married woman, getting her pregnant, murdering her husband) did not end his life or God's plan for him.

 Application: No matter how big of a mess one has made, you can't give up.

  You must "name it, sight it, confess it, move on."

 C. The Hope of Being Alive

  If you are still alive, God still has a plan for you.

 This is true regardless of your current spiritual state:

  Whether you have unconfessed sin and have been out of fellowship.

 Whether you have been in fellowship but need to be more serious.

 The fact that you are alive means God has a plan for you.

 Theological Point: God is sovereign over life and death. Nothing happens outside of His plan and decree, even a suicide was allowed by God.

 There is hope no matter how bad your life seems, as long as you are alive.

 Personal Testimony: The speaker is a living testimony to this principle.

  After 20 years, he is now teaching God's Word.

 He considers what God is doing through him to be "unbelievable."

 He was asked if he would go back and change anything from his past, and his answer is "No."

 He is where he is now by the grace of God; the past is "water under the bridge."

XI. Concluding the Series and Looking Ahead

 A. The Heart of God and the Christian Life

  The doctrine of confession reveals the heart of God towards His children.

 The Christian life is not designed to be lived under the tyranny of guilt, but under grace.

 When we fail:

  We do not need to hide.

 We do not need to perform.

 We do not need to punish ourselves.

 What we need to do:

1.  Agree with God (confess).

2. Name the sin.

3. Receive His cleansing.

4. Resume the advance.

 B. Reflection on the Review Process

  The review took longer than expected.

 The speaker questions doing such a long recap again for future series.

 Reason for the detailed review:

1.  Repetition is important for learning.

2. A new listener might hear this recap, have their interest sparked, and go back to listen to the entire series.

 C. Postponed Scripture

  The speaker still needs to cover  1 John 5:4-5 , which was meant to be the final scripture in a set of three proving the Epistle of 1 John is about fellowship, not a test of salvation.

 This will be covered in the next session (March 25, 2026, or the following Wednesday).

 D. Reading of the Concluding Statement

  A handout was given to the audience.

 "As we conclude this series on the grace of confession, we are reminded that the Christian life was never designed to be lived in our own strength."

 God knew we would fail and stumble, which is why He provided the grace of confession.

 Confession restores us to fellowship and puts us back where faith can operate.

 When faith operates, the believer lives from divine viewpoint, not the world's.

 The world tells us to conform, but God's Word tells us the believer can rise above the world system.

 This victory is not by human effort or emotion, but by faith.

 This is what John declares: "This is the victory that overcomes the world: our faith."

 E. Plan for the Next Session

1.  Examine  1 John 5:4-5  to show it is not a test for salvation.

2. Use this passage as a springboard to begin the next series: "The Glory of God's Grace."

  This new series will teach how to overcome pressures, trials, and tests through faith and metabolized doctrine.

 F. The Simplicity of the Spiritual Life

  There are no shortcuts or special magic formulas.

 The information is simple and available to everyone.

 For some, it is "too simple."

 The Formula:

1.  Be filled with the Spirit.

2. The perception, metabolization, and application of Bible doctrine to your life on a daily basis.

XII. Closing Prayer

 Thanks to the Father for the opportunity to share and for His Word.

 Prayer for God to lead and guide everyone present and listening.

 Prayer for God to open up opportunities for each person to glorify Him.

 How we glorify God: By trusting in Him, not leaning on our own understanding, and acknowledging Him in all our ways so He will direct our paths.

 Petition for God to fill each person with the knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom, and understanding.

 Prayer for them to know the hope of their calling.

 Prayer for God's love, mercy, grace, blessing, and favor to surround each person.

 Prayer offered in Jesus' name. Amen.