The Grace of Confession, Part 11
03-04-26 grace of confession 11 and categorical teaching
High-Detail Theological Outline (Strict Chronological Flow)
Content creation date: 2026-03-04 19:13:34
Opening and welcome
“Evening, everyone. My name is Jim. Welcome.”
Note of change in venue.
Gratitude to Joe for hospitality and opening the opportunity for the Bible study.
Customary preparation for study: silent prayer and fellowship context
Statement of current series timeline: “The study that we have been in for the last ten weeks now, and this is the eleventh week is First John 1:9.”
Transition to moment of silent prayer “like we normally do as our custom.”
Doctrinal clarification:
Soteriology: Eternal security at the moment of salvation.
“We know that we are eternally saved and you cannot lose that salvation.”
Fellowship doctrine:
Fellowship with God can be broken through personal sin.
God’s grace solution for restoration is provided.
Scripture: 1 John 1:9 (confession and restoration to fellowship)
Quotation: “If we confess which means to name and to cite our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Word study/definition:
“Confess” explained as “to name and to cite our sins.”
Doctrinal points:
Confession restores fellowship.
Confession ensures the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Filling of the Spirit identified as “one half of the power system” the believer operates in.
The other half: study of the Word of God.
Application: “There are no shortcuts… That is the only way to live the Christian life: to be filled with the Spirit and the perception, metabolization, and application of Bible doctrine.”
Preview and intent before resuming 1 John study
Plan to “do a little bit of talking about categorical teaching of the Word of God” before returning to the epistle.
Series context:
“At this stage of the grace of confession series, we are answering some of the opponents of confession.”
Focus: three passages in 1 John commonly used as “tests for salvation.”
Doctrinal stance:
How 1 John should be taught: “The epistle is talking about fellowship but is not talking about a test for salvation.”
Corporate prayer (post-confession)
“Let’s bow our heads, confessing any known sin to God, putting us back into fellowship.”
Prayer content:
Thanksgiving for the time given.
Providence: “We know that everything is ordained and orchestrated by you… there are no accidents.”
Personal pastoral petition:
Desire that each person know God’s plan for their life.
Request for God to reveal His plan to each hearer.
Request to “speak to us… through your word.”
Request for power to speak “with the authority that your word deserves and the grace that your word teaches.”
Concluding “in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Introduction to ICE teaching and categorical method
Reference to prior teaching moments and social media:
“I wanted to bring up something… anyone that’s been familiar with Pastor Theme or Pastor Robert McLaughlin has certainly heard of ICE teaching: I C E, isagogical, categorical, and exegetical teaching.”
Attribution: Mentions “Pastor Theme” (R. B. Thieme Jr.) and “Pastor Robert McLaughlin.”
Facebook post “a week or two ago” received strong response; decision to teach more on it.
Explanation of why Bible study requires method:
The Bible is not a single novel-like book.
Composition:
66 books: 39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament.
Written over ~1500 years by ~40 authors, sometimes centuries apart.
Varied literary styles: poetry, historical narrative, didactic teaching, epistles, metaphors, allegory.
Hermeneutical caution:
“Not everything in the Bible is meant for us today.”
One cannot “just turn to any scripture… without knowing the historical background or proper context… and just apply that verse.”
Necessity of isagogics:
“The Bible has to be taught isagogically.”
ICE: Isagogical teaching (“I”)
Definition:
Isagogics = returning to historical context and setting.
Questions: Who wrote it? To whom? Why?
Consider historical milieu; cultural distance requires bringing certain elements “up to speed.”
Teacher’s practice:
“Anytime I teach… especially… Old Testament,” verify context, purpose, audience.
ICE: Categorical teaching (“C”)
Tonight’s emphasis: categorical teaching of the Word of God.
Plan note:
Exegesis will be noted but not deeply covered in this session.
ICE: Exegetical teaching (“E”) — brief overview
Original language emphasis:
None of the biblical writers spoke English; Bible not written in English.
No English version is infallible; all are translations of Hebrew and Greek.
Addressing KJV-only movements:
Historical question: “Before 1611, what were people doing for a Bible?”
Balanced stance: King James “not a bad version… I am not against any versions,” but all English Bibles are translations, not the original text.
Greek language density:
“In the Greek there are seven more words for every English word.”
Communication limits:
“You cannot communicate the Greek text in English and adequately do it.”
Example from prior series on “walking”:
Six different Greek words used for “walking” in the New Testament.
English versions often translate each as “walking,” losing distinct meaning.
Exegesis focus:
Look chiefly at verbs: mood, voice, tense.
The Holy Spirit chose words precisely.
Categorical sequence introduction
Scripture: Psalm 119:160
Citation: “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous judgments is everlasting.”
“Shin” notation:
Identified as a letter heading in Psalm 119.
Context: Psalm 119 divided into 22 sections, each marked by a Hebrew letter; “Shin” noted as a section heading.
Word study (Hebrew):
“Sum” = Hebrew “rosh” (head, beginning, chief, totality, whole).
Concept:
Not partial truth; entire assembled revelation.
Doctrine must be built from totality of revelation.
Isolating a verse from its doctrinal category leads to distortion.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15
Correction to sequence acknowledged: “Hold on… The next slide was Second Timothy 2:15. You should have told me Joe.”
Citation: “Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling [or ‘rightly dividing’] the word of truth.”
Translation note:
“Rightly dividing” probably more accurate than “accurately handling,” though both are close.
Word study (Greek):
“Orthotomeo” (rightly divide/accurately handle).
Compound: “orthos” = straight; “temno” = to cut.
Literal meaning: “to cut straight.”
Secular Greek usage:
Road building, stone cutting, tent making.
Tent making connection to Paul’s trade; illustrative appropriateness.
Doctrinal implication:
Paul commands precision.
If all content were of one category, no need “to cut straight,” divide, or distinguish.
Therefore, categorical distinctions in doctrine are necessary; we cannot read the Bible like a novel and universally apply everything without division.
Plan for categorical examples
“I actually picked four categories… not meant to be an exhaustive study… broad strokes… to see how this works.”
Key hermeneutical observation:
“Language used will often change when the doctrine changes.”
Recognize terminology shifts:
“That’s justification.”
“That’s a salvation passage.”
“That’s an inheritance passage.”
Goal: develop familiarity so terms immediately signal doctrinal category.
Category: Salvation
Primary Greek word:
“Sozo” (σῴζω): to rescue, deliver, save from danger.
Soteriological context:
Refers to deliverance from eternal condemnation.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8
Quotation: “For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Teaching note:
Speaker’s nickname for the verse: “salvation in a box.”
Transition: “Anytime I teach on this verse, I always like to point out. That the ‘this’ and…” (to be expanded next).
Opening assertion: “This is not of yourselves — the ‘this’ is in the neuter gender”
Grammatical note:
“This” (neuter) indicates it does not apply to each element individually but to the whole preceding passage.
Doctrinal implication:
The grace, the salvation, and even the faith required to believe and be saved are all the gift of God.
Term introduced: Efficacious grace
Definition/doctrinal point:
Humanity lacks the power to believe unto salvation on its own; God the Holy Spirit must enable and carry faith to efficacy.
Application:
Assurance that salvation is not sourced in human effort; removes boasting and insecurity.
Greek grammar of “saved” (sozo)
Verb form identified: sesōsmenoi (spelled out: s e s o, m, e n o, i)
Morphology: Perfect passive participle of sozo.
Perfect tense explanation: Completed action in the past with ongoing results in the present.
Voice explanation:
Passive voice: God performs the action; the subject receives it.
Contrast with active voice: Active would indicate the subject performs the action.
Exegetical application:
Returning to the Greek clarifies the richness beyond the English “for by grace you have been saved.”
Illustration:
Original language study reveals completion, permanence, and divine agency in salvation.
Word study: “Grace”
Greek term: charis (C H A R I S)
Upcoming series mention: “The Glory of God’s Grace”
Teacher’s note: Working diligently; anticipated to be powerful, awakening, and freeing.
Definition: Unmerited favor; undeserved kindness; benevolent disposition.
Pauline usage:
Charis consistently used in salvation contexts to eliminate works.
Doctrinal point:
Grace excludes any works on our part; grace and works are mutually exclusive.
Scriptural principle alluded:
“If it is by grace, it is no longer by works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.”
Application:
Do not mix categories or collapse distinctions; passages must be applied to their proper doctrinal category.
Foundational salvation verse quoted and applied
Quotation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Doctrinal guardrail:
No matter what passage is cited (from Genesis to Revelation) regarding moral improvement, overcoming sin, or living better, none can eliminate or overturn this salvation truth.
Categorization principle:
Salvation is its own category.
Justification is its own category.
Fellowship is its own category.
Inheritance is its own category.
Application:
Do not import verses across categories; misapplication breeds confusion, denominational division, and loss of assurance through failure to rightly divide the Word.
Word study: “Gift”
Greek term: doron (D O R O N)
Definition: A gift that cannot be earned; if earned, it would be a wage.
Contrast term: misthos (M I S T H O S) — wage
Doctrinal point:
The Holy Spirit chose “gift” (doron) for salvation; if it required work, Scripture would employ wage (misthos).
Judgment language illustration:
White Throne Judgment: People judged “by their deeds” (ergon), not “by their sins” (hamartia).
Greek term used: ergon — works.
Greek term not used: hamartia — sins.
Doctrinal conclusion:
The Word of God is precise; salvation and judgment passages use exact vocabulary to communicate divine intent.
Hermeneutical claim:
The Bible is subject to one interpretation — the one God intended.
Application:
Failures to rightly divide lead to doctrinal error.
Salvation vocabulary consistently excludes merit
Principle: Eternal salvation passages never include human merit.
Transition:
Salvation category briefly surveyed; move to justification category.
Category: Justification
Word study: “Justify”
Greek verb: dikaioō (D I K A I O O)
Courtroom language:
To declare righteous; to pronounce legally justified.
Doctrinal point:
Justification never means progressive making-righteous; it is a once-for-all forensic declaration, parallel to salvation as a one-shot decision.
Eternal security:
You cannot lose salvation; you cannot become “unjustified.”
Sin and hell:
Only sin that sends a person to hell: Unbelief.
All personal sins were imputed to Christ on the cross; therefore, judgment for sins is not upon the believer, nor is hell assigned for sins, even for the unbeliever who rejects Christ — they go to hell because of unbelief.
Scripture: Romans 5:1
Quotation/paraphrase: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Greek form cited: “dikaiōthentes” (teacher’s pronunciation “decai authentes”)
Morphology: Aorist passive participle.
Aorist tense: One moment in time; a single, completed act.
Passive voice: We receive the action; we do not justify ourselves.
Application:
Romans 8:1 support: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Rationale:
Nothing we could do to gain God’s approval; our sins have already been forgiven and judged at the cross.
Word study: “Impute”
Greek term: logizomai (l o g i z o m a i)
Domain: Accounting language — to reckon, to credit, to count to one’s account.
Scripture references:
Romans 4: Abraham’s faith repeatedly described as “credited” as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6: “He believed in the LORD, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
Category marker:
When logizomai appears, we are in justification territory.
Category: Fellowship
Vocabulary shift:
Moving from judicial (salvation/justification) to relational/experiential language.
Word study: koinonia (K O I N O N I A)
Definitions: Participation, sharing, communion, partnership.
Scripture: 1 John 1:3–7
Purpose:
Establish fellowship (koinonia) as relational, not judicial.
Doctrinal guardrail:
Koinonia is never used for justification or salvation; it strictly describes fellowship/communion/partnership.
Pastoral issue addressed:
Opponents of grace/confession teaching misread 1 John (esp. 1:9) as written to unbelievers or as a salvation test.
Warning:
Reading 1 John this way discourages believers — exactly what the kingdom of darkness desires.
Hermeneutic:
Proper context shows these verses must be translated and applied as fellowship instructions to believers.
Sin and fellowship dynamics
Post-salvation sin:
Breaks fellowship with God, not salvation or justification.
Divine response:
God does not punish believers judicially for sins; discipline may occur for prolonged disobedience as loving parental correction to restore fellowship.
God “remembers sins no more”; as far as the east is from the west, He has removed our transgressions.
Pastoral testimony and application:
Teacher’s personal note:
After approximately 20 years away, nearly two years back walking with God; preaching often on guilt/condemnation/shame.
Reason:
Avoiding God due to failures is a lie of the devil; God is compassionate.
Scripture cited from Isaiah (paraphrased):
“Let the wicked person forsake his way and the unrighteous person his thoughts, and let him return unto Me…”
Motivation for return:
“For He will have compassion.”
God’s ways/thoughts higher than ours:
Unlike human retaliation, God shows mercy and restoration.
Application:
Return to the Lord; expect compassion, not “clobbering.” God is not our enemy.
Clarifying fellowship vs. salvation/justification
Doctrinal point:
Salvation is not described as koinonia; justification is not described as koinonia.
Category distinction:
Fellowship is experiential.
Scripture: 1 John 1:9 — confession and cleansing (reiterated in fellowship context)
Text: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous/just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Doctrinal explanation:
Faithful: God always acts on His promise.
Just/righteous: He is just to forgive because sins were already judged at the cross.
Scope:
Confession of known sins results in cleansing of all unrighteousness, including unknown sins; immediate restoration to fellowship.
Word study: “Confess”
Greek term: homologeō (from homo = same, and logeō/logos = speak/say).
Literal meaning:
“To say the same thing” — to agree with God.
Courtroom analogy:
Confession is agreeing with God’s verdict about a specific sin and its impact on fellowship, appealing to the finished work of Christ.
What confession is not:
Not feeling sorry; not feeling guilty; not promising never to do it again; not believing again; not getting saved again.
Function:
Restores relational harmony, not judicial standing.
Word study: “Cleanse”
Greek term: katharizō
Meaning:
To purify; remove defilement.
Category:
Fellowship/experiential cleansing, not justification.
Fellowship lifestyle vocabulary: “Walk”
Greek term: peripateō (p e r i p a t e o)
Meaning: To conduct one’s life; live/walk as a manner of life.
Usage: Repeated in 1 John and Paul’s epistles.
Series note:
Six weeks previously spent studying “walk.”
Application:
Ongoing experiential fellowship is described in walking terms; it is distinct from the once-for-all judicial standing of salvation/justification.
Opening categorical premise: “Walk” language signals daily experience
Doctrinal assertion:
When Scripture says “walk in the light,” this is not soteriological language (not about salvation).
“Walk in light/darkness” pertains to fellowship and experiential Christian living.
Category distinction:
Fellowship category: daily experiential living, relational status with God, can be broken and restored.
Salvation category: eternal status, not at risk.
Assurance of salvation emphasized
Doctrinal points:
Salvation is eternally secure; you cannot lose your salvation.
Importance of assurance:
Not condoning sin or riotous behavior.
Refutation of the charge: “grace/eternal security” is a license to sin.
Pastoral application:
Without assurance, believers cannot fulfill God’s plan, live the Christian life, or “walk” in what God has for them.
Psychological/spiritual effect without assurance:
Persistent guilt and condemnation.
Identity confusion: failure to grasp “new creation” reality.
Reiteration:
“You are eternally secure; you cannot lose that salvation… There is nothing that you could do to lose it.”
Transition: Inheritance category (reward terminology)
Greek word study: klēronomeō (κληρονομέω)
Spelling: K L E R O N O M E O (transliteration provided in sermon)
Meaning: to receive a portion, obtain an allotted share, receive a possession.
Derivation:
klēros (κλῆρος) — portion/lot.
nomos (νόμος) — distribute/law; emphasis: “to distribute.”
Theological implication:
Inheritance language implies distribution.
Distinction reiterated:
Salvation is a gift.
Inheritance is distributed.
The distinction is crucial.
Greek word study: misthos (μισθός)
Spelling: M I S T H O S
Meaning: wage, compensation, payment for service.
Theological implication:
Rewards are not grace; they relate to service/labor, not the free gift of salvation.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:8–15 (read and expounded)
Key phrases:
v.8: “He who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
v.9–11: “We are God’s fellow workers… God’s building… no man can lay a foundation other than… Jesus Christ.”
v.12–13: “Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw… each man’s work… revealed by fire… fire will test the quality of each man’s work.”
v.14: “If any man’s work… remains, he will receive a reward.”
v.15: “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only as through fire.”
Doctrinal/categorical teaching:
This passage is about rewards (misthos) and testing of works, not salvation.
Clarification against misapplication:
You cannot pull reward texts into the salvation category.
Anticipated confusion addressed:
People misread inheritance warnings (e.g., idolaters/adulterers “not inheriting”) as loss of salvation.
If that were salvation loss, it would contradict Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:16; John 5:24.
Hermeneutical rule:
Identify category of terms to avoid contradiction; the Bible does not contradict itself.
Scripture: Galatians 5:16–21 (reviewed; prior study referenced)
Note:
“We went over this last time… the extra stuff… was really good… not going to go over it again.”
Key phrases:
v.16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.”
v.17: “The desire of the flesh is against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh… these are in opposition… to keep you from doing whatever you want.”
v.18: “If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.”
v.19–21: Deeds of the flesh listed: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, “and things like these.”
Warning: “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Doctrinal points:
Audience: believers (church in Galatia).
Reality of carnal believers:
Paul’s command implies Christians can carry out desires of the flesh.
Lordship Salvation critique:
They deny the category of carnal believers.
They make performance the basis of salvation, concluding “never saved” or implying loss of salvation.
Most admit you cannot lose salvation, but say non-performers were never saved — this is false.
“Practice” defined:
Habitual lifestyle, not isolated acts.
“Inherit” language:
Not salvation; inheritance/reward participation.
Those living in habitual patterns of the flesh “will not inherit” (lose rewards/crowns), but this does not annul salvation.
Inheritance vocabulary expansion
“Crown”: stephanos (στέφανος)
Meaning: victory wreath used in athletic competitions.
Texts mentioned (not turned to): 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4.
Doctrinal point:
Crowns are awarded; not given at new birth.
“Suffer loss”: zēmioō (ζημιόω)
Spelling: Z E M I O O
Meaning: to forfeit, to incur loss.
Key text: 1 Corinthians 3:15
Two categories within one verse:
“Suffer loss” (inheritance/reward).
“He himself will be saved” (salvation intact).
Doctrinal point:
Believers can lose rewards/inheritance if they fail to execute God’s predesigned plan for their life.
Salvation is not lost.
Salvation reaffirmed as free gift
Doctrinal assertions:
Salvation: free gift; cannot be earned or deserved.
Because salvation is not earned, it cannot be lost.
Assurance application:
Ground yourself in the truth even after failure.
Confession and recovery:
“Today might have been an exceptionally bad day… I am just going to confess it to God… pick up the pieces… move on.”
Pastoral encouragement:
“If you can feel your pulse… God still has a plan… there is hope.”
If there were no purpose left, “God will just take you home early.”
Illustration: Apostle Paul’s past and forward focus
Text alluded to (not turned to): Philippians 3:12–14
Key phrases recalled:
“Not that I have attained it yet… forgetting what lies behind… press on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Personal theological reflection:
Paul likely includes his past as persecutor:
Present at Stephen’s stoning (Acts 7–8).
Ravaged the church (Acts 8:3; Galatians 1:13).
Paul’s humility:
“Least of the apostles” (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:9).
Application:
Believers must “forget” in the sense of not holding past sins against themselves.
Identity focus: Learn who you are now that you are saved.
Foundational discipleship priorities
Two starting points for every Christian:
Master salvation doctrines; be secure in your salvation.
Study the character and nature of God: understand who God is.
Then:
Enter the predesigned plan of God for your life.
Pastoral counsel:
Avoid up-and-down living conditioned by failures.
Recognize the sin nature remains; press forward by faith.
Epistemic commitment: “Either believe what the Word of God says or not.”
Confession and “rebound”
Scripture allusion: 1 John 1:9
Key phrase: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”
Pastoral challenge:
Do you really believe God is faithful and just to forgive, even the tenth time in a day for the same sin?
Necessity of faith:
Trust the Word of God.
Series framing: “Glory of God’s Grace”
Definition of glory:
To put something on display, to magnify, to show off to the world.
How grace is glorified:
As believers step out in faith and apply the Word to life situations, God’s grace is displayed.
Personal testimony: God’s grace on display
Speaker’s past:
Previously identified as an agnostic; rejected Christianity.
Present transformation:
Humbled by past; marvels at what God has done in recent years.
Theological point:
Grace displayed in the speaker’s life has nothing to do with self; it has to do with God.
Hermeneutical rule: Language signals category shift
Observation:
Many miss category transitions—even theologians and pastors.
Principle:
When vocabulary changes, doctrine changes (categorically).
Category markers:
Salvation language: believe, receive, gift, eternal life.
Justification language: justified, impute, credit.
Fellowship language: walk, abide, confess, cleanse, light, darkness.
Inheritance language: reign, crown, reward, suffer loss, overcome.
Prohibition:
Do not collapse categories (e.g., read fellowship texts as salvation texts).
Protection of grace:
Misreading inheritance warnings as salvation loss destroys assurance.
Misreading fellowship discipline as loss of justification creates fear.
Misreading reward language as eternal destiny produces works-salvation teaching.
Therefore, categorical precision protects grace.
Concluding doctrinal summary and key terms
Scripture allusion: “The sum of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160; “The sum of Your Word is truth. The totality of it.”)
Hebrew note referenced:
“sum ‘ROSH’ again” (rosh often means head/totality; “sum” emphasizes total assembly).
Method:
“We assemble, we categorize, we divide straight” — orthotomia (ὀρθοτομέω, “rightly dividing”).
Category definitions:
Salvation: permanent; perfect tense of sōzō (σῴζω).
Justification: judicial; dikaios (δικαιος; adjectival root of “righteous/just,” tied to dikaioō/dikaiosynē).
Fellowship: relational; can be broken; koinōnia (κοινωνία).
Inheritance: distributive; klēronomia (κληρονομία).
Final assertion:
When categories are kept straight, grace remains pure.
Series logistics and preview
Next steps:
First John passages will start next week.
There are three passages to cover.
Likely two more weeks on “grace of confession,” totaling thirteen weeks.
Time constraint noted:
Cannot go too long in this session.
Closing note:
“I needed to throw this in there.”
Opening engagement and feedback context
Question to the audience:
“Does everybody find this beneficial?”
Personal assessment:
It is beneficial due to significant feedback.
Reference to a long Facebook post “like a week ago” with substantial responses.
Mention of received feedback via email/text from “H eid” (likely “Heidi”) regarding categorical teaching.
Comment shared:
It was “such a great thing” to hear; it “clears up a lot of things for a lot of people.”
Focus on the last part of categorical distinctions: “salvation, inheritance, and fellowship”
Emphasis on recognizing categories in phrases:
“In salvation, believe, receive, give to Him…”
Application:
Know, when that language is used, which category is in view.
Note:
Previously lacked “those little” categorical markers; importance of noticing language shifts.
Principle: Language shifts often indicate doctrinal shifts
Statement:
“You’ll find that most often when the language shifts, the doctrine is also shifting.”
Reason for adding the categorical clarification this week:
Not only due to positive response but also preparation for three passages in 1 John.
Purpose:
To recognize that three passages in 1 John are commonly used as “tests” of genuine salvation — emphatically disproved as such.
Warning against misuse and manipulation of Scripture
Observation:
Reading certain verses at “surface level” (especially in 1 John 5) can get people “worked up.”
Caution:
People use these verses to manipulate.
Charitable note:
Most teachers are not “knowingly” teaching false doctrine.
Acknowledgment:
Some may be.
Critique of self-righteous posture:
Imagery:
“little high horse,” “ivory tower,” “whip” people to keep them “in line.”
Quoted aphorism:
“You can make the word of God say pretty much anything.”
Conclusion:
Only by accurately dividing “the word of truth” does one find true freedom and grace.
Implicit doctrine:
Hermeneutical integrity is essential to avoid legalism and manipulation.
Transition to reading a devotional piece: “Strength for Today”
Audience note:
Most present receive this in the morning.
Statement of intent:
“I’m going to end this with this,” reading from “Strength for Today.”
Distribution and access details:
This will go up on the app on 2026-03-05.
Recording notice:
“This [is] being recorded.”
Identification:
“My name is James Ramirez (R A M as in Michael I E R I).”
App reference:
Grace Bible app—messages available under MP3 section; studies found there.
Social media availability:
Facebook posts on Bible doctrine are public; no friend request needed; shared freely.
Scripture: Philippians 3:12–14 (read twice by reference)
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that that I may lay hold of that for which I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do:
Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on towards the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Thematic setup for the devotional
What has been talked about “the last couple of days”:
By the grace of God, we are not defined by past failures.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:10
Quoted key phrase:
“By the grace of God, I am what I am.”
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:9
Pauline transparency about his past:
He “once persecuted the church of God.”
Scripture: Acts 8:3
“He was ravaging the church, dragging believers off to prison.”
Scripture: Acts 7:58
“He stood approvingly while Stephen was being stoned.”
Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:13
Paul describes himself as “a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor.”
Doctrinal point: Grace transformed Paul
God’s grace transformed Paul into “one of the greatest apostles who ever lived.”
Conclusion: “That is grace.”
Key principle for moving forward in the plan of God: Philippians 3:12–14 (developed)
Emphasis on Paul’s words:
“One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.”
Immediate context of Philippians 3
Warning against legalism and confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:2–6 implied).
Credentials listed (Philippians 3:4–6):
“Circumcised on the eighth day”
“Of the nation of Israel”
“Of the tribe of Benjamin”
“Hebrew of Hebrews”
“A Pharisee”
“Zealous of the law”
“Blameless according to legalistic righteousness”
Radical revaluation (Philippians 3:8):
“I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Meaning:
Status, accomplishments, reputation—counted as loss compared to knowing Christ.
Ongoing process (Philippians 3:12):
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect.”
Point:
Even Paul is still growing and advancing in the spiritual life.
Singular focus:
“One thing I do”—mental attitude and spiritual orientation:
“Forgetting what lies behind”
“Reaching forward to what lies ahead”
Word study: “Forgetting”
Greek: ἐπιλανθάνομαι (epilanthanomai)
Defined:
No longer allowing something to control your thinking or dominate your attention.
Clarification:
Not erasing memory; refusing domination by past events.
Application:
Paul remembered his past (because he spoke of it) but refused to live in or be paralyzed by it.
Personal declaration:
“I refuse to be defined by my failures. I am defined by the grace of God.”
Scope of “forgetting”
Two sides of Paul’s past:
Failures: Persecuting the church, opposing Christ, causing believers to suffer.
Achievements: Religious status and accomplishments.
Reason:
Dwelling on past failures or achievements hinders progress in God’s plan.
“Reaching forward” imagery
Picture of a runner stretching toward the finish line with all effort.
“I press on towards the goal”—pursuit with intensity and determination.
Athletic metaphor:
The Christian life as a race, moving toward a goal.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24
Quotation:
“Run in such a way that you may win.”
Application:
Intentional pursuit in the spiritual race.
Scripture: Hebrews 12:1–2
Quotation:
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Vision/Focus principle:
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus”—Greek nuance explained:
Deliberately taking your eyes off something and placing them upon something else.
Translation emphasis:
“Looking only unto Jesus.”
Practical:
Not “looking at Jesus and also looking at this”; rather, “look away from that.”
Vision axiom:
“You have to have vision.”
Definition:
“Vision is your future.”
Consequence:
“A person with no vision has no future, and a person with no future will always revert back to the past.”
Grace and the believer’s relationship to the past
Assertion:
“The grace of God does not leave us trapped in our past.”
Past often the real hindrance:
Many believers are held back by past failures, regrets, mistakes—rehearsed mentally, dominated by guilt and shame.
Scripture: 1 John 1:9 (devotional application)
Principle:
Confess sins; “God is faithful and righteous to forgive us and cleanse us.”
Scripture: Psalm 103:12
Principle:
God removes transgressions “as far as the east is from the west.”
Scripture: Isaiah 43:18
Principle:
“Do not call to mind the former things or ponder things of the past.”
Clarification:
We learn from the past, but refuse to be defined by it.
Doctrinal summary:
The same grace that saves is the grace that enables forward movement.
Paul’s example:
Could have lived in regret; chose mission-focus and pressing on.
Exhortation and application to the audience
Acknowledgment:
We have failures, regrets, seasons we wish had gone differently.
Encouragement:
“The grace of God is greater than our past.”
Call to action:
Adopt Paul’s mindset:
“Let go of the past.”
“Reach forward to what lies ahead.”
“Press on towards the goal.”
Assurance:
“Because of the grace of God, your past does not have to be the final word.”
The final word:
“God’s calling on your life is the final word.”
Closing prayer
Thanksgiving:
Gratitude for the opportunity and time given by God.
Humility and confidence:
Humbled to be part of God’s plan; thankful to be included; God has a plan for each person present and listening.
Petition for open doors:
God to open doors and opportunities for each person to glorify Him by:
Trusting the Lord with all their heart.
Not leaning on their own understanding.
Acknowledging God in all their ways.
He will direct their path. (Allusion to Proverbs 3:5–6)
Spiritual warfare and endurance:
Prayer against distractions, obstacles, and enemy strongholds built up over time.
Request for strength, conviction, courage to “run this race that you have set before them.”
Surrounding grace:
Prayer for God to surround all with love, mercy, grace.
Blessing request:
“Exceeding abundantly above all that they could ask or think according to your riches and glory” (allusion to Ephesians 3:20).
Conclusion:
“In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Scripture References in Exact Order Mentioned
1. 1 John 1:9 — “If we confess… He is faithful and just to forgive… and cleanse…”
2. Psalm 119:160 — “The sum of your word is truth…”
3. 2 Timothy 2:15 — “Be diligent… rightly dividing the word of truth.”
4. Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God, not of works…”
5. Romans 5:1 — “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God…”
6. Romans 8:1 — “There is therefore now no condemnation…”
7. Romans 4 (Abraham’s faith “credited” as righteousness)
8. Genesis 15:6 — “He believed in the LORD, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
9. 1 John 1:3–7 — Fellowship (koinonia) passages establishing relational category
10. 1 John 1:9 — Reiterated in fellowship category (confession and cleansing)
11. 1 Corinthians 3:8–15 — Rewards, testing of works, “suffer loss… he himself will be saved”
12. Galatians 5:16–21 — “Walk by the Spirit… those who practice such things will not inherit…”
13. Philippians 3:12–14 — “Forgetting what lies behind… press on…”
14. 1 Corinthians 15:10 — “By the grace of God, I am what I am.”
15. 1 Corinthians 15:9 — Paul persecuted the church of God
16. Acts 8:3 — Ravaging the church
17. Acts 7:58 — Stephen’s stoning
18. 1 Timothy 1:13 — “Blasphemer… persecutor… violent aggressor”
19. Philippians 3:4–6 — Paul’s credentials
20. Philippians 3:8 — “Count all things to be loss…”
21. Philippians 3:12 — “Not that I have already obtained…”
22. 1 Corinthians 9:24 — “Run in such a way that you may win.”
23. Hebrews 12:1–2 — “Run with endurance… fixing our eyes on Jesus…”
24. 1 John 1:9 — Devotional application of confession and cleansing
25. Psalm 103:12 — “As far as the east is from the west…”
26. Isaiah 43:18 — “Do not call to mind the former things…”
27. Proverbs 3:5–6 — Alluded in closing prayer: trust, lean not, acknowledge, He directs paths
28. Ephesians 3:20 — Alluded in closing prayer: “exceeding abundantly above…”
Original Language and Word Studies (Inline with Sermon)
Confess (1 John 1:9)
English explanation: “to name and to cite our sins.”
Greek: homologeō — “to say the same thing,” agree with God.
Psalm 119:160
“Sum” — Hebrew rosh: head, beginning, chief, totality.
2 Timothy 2:15
Orthotomeo — orthos (straight) + temno (to cut): “to cut straight.”
Salvation
Sozo (σῴζω) — rescue, deliver, save.
Ephesians 2:8 — sesōsmenoi: perfect passive participle (completed past action with ongoing results; God as agent).
Charis (χάρις) — grace: unmerited favor.
Doron (δῶρον) — gift, not earned.
Misthos (μισθός) — wage.
Ergon (ἔργον) — works/deeds; contrasted with hamartia (ἁμαρτία) — sins.
Justification
Dikaioō (δικαιόω) — declare righteous (forensic).
Dikaiōthentes — aorist passive participle (one-time, received action).
Logizomai (λογίζομαι) — impute/credit/account.
Fellowship
Koinonia (κοινωνία) — participation, sharing, communion, partnership.
Katharizō (καθαρίζω) — cleanse/purify.
Peripateō (περιπατέω) — walk/conduct one’s life.
Inheritance/Rewards
Klēronomeō (κληρονομέω) — receive an allotted share (distribution).
Stephanos (στέφανος) — crown/wreath.
Zēmioō (ζημιόω) — suffer loss/forfeit.
Devotional focus
Epilanthanomai (ἐπιλανθάνομαι) — forgetting: refuse mental domination by past.
Hebrews 12:2 nuance — “looking only unto Jesus” implies deliberate focus shift.
Doctrinal Points, Applications, Illustrations, and Analogies
Eternal security:
Salvation cannot be lost; assurance is essential for spiritual growth.
Fellowship vs. salvation:
Sin breaks fellowship, not salvation or justification; confession restores fellowship.
Categorical precision:
Keep salvation, justification, fellowship, inheritance distinct to avoid doctrinal confusion.
Rewards vs. salvation:
Misthos/reward texts (1 Corinthians 3; Galatians 5 inheritance warnings) do not teach loss of salvation.
Hermeneutics:
ICE method: isagogical, categorical, exegetical; rightly divide (orthotomeo).
Language shifts:
Vocabulary indicates doctrinal category; do not collapse categories.
Pastoral counsel:
Confess, recover, move forward; “If you can feel your pulse… God still has a plan.”
Isaiah compassion emphasis:
God invites return with compassion; He is not our enemy.
Paul as model:
Past acknowledged; present defined by grace; forward focus to the upward call.
Vision and focus:
Without vision (future), believers revert to the past; fix eyes only on Jesus.
Grace displayed:
Personal testimony of transformation from agnosticism underscores grace.
Warning against manipulation:
Surface-level readings (e.g., 1 John 5) can be misused; legalistic “ivory tower” whipping condemned.
“You can make the word of God say pretty much anything” — antidote is accurate division.
Series logistics:
Returning to three 1 John passages next week; likely two more weeks to conclude “grace of confession” (13 weeks total).
Attributions
Pastors referenced:
R. B. Thieme Jr. (“Pastor Theme”).
Pastor Robert McLaughlin.
Platforms:
Grace Bible app (MP3 section).
Facebook public posts on Bible doctrine (“Strength for Today” devotional series).
Speaker identification:
James Ramirez (spelled out phonetically in session).