The Forum
This department is provided for the free and courteous discussion of biblical and spiritual problems which may be considered edifying to the people of God. Letters concerning such matters are requested.
Dear Brother G.
The first chapter of the Book of First John is a study in contrasts —light versus darkness — and so hardly a place for one to find the doctrine of the restoration of the Christian who has broken fellowship with his Lord. This restoration rests on another principle entirely, namely that all our sins, past, present and future, were all forgiven and we were cleansed once and for all when we were born again by the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the Cross. This puts the spotlight where it belongs — on the CROSS!
The non-Christian needs the forgiveness and cleansing of 1 John 1:9, if he will but honestly disagree with the terrible lie of 1 John 1:8 and apply the truth of sinfulness to himself. But there is the deep need for the Christian to honestly acknowledge his sin to himself — not explaining it away nor making excuses, but the idea being that he should make himself fully responsible for his own wrong conduct and unChristlike attitudes. Then, with God’s help, the sin must GO — must be forsaken — must be put out of his or her life or (and we know the answer) our loving Heavenly Father must of necessity apply the rod of correction.
Don’t you think that the weak and condemned flesh of each one of us who are “new creations in Christ Jesus” has leaned long enough on the crutches of the evangelistic approach of 1 John 1:9?
This no doubt, would be considered controversial writing. It is not intended to be that at all for I have reasons to believe that it is true to the Word. If it could be published, it would certainly give some of the Christians who enjoy thinking on the Word, something to “chew” on. I think I would humbly go as far as to challenge the thinking Christians to prove that it is not in harmony with God’s Word. Perhaps you could see it in your interesting Forum section. As always, appreciating you and your little magazine, may our Lord bless you in all that you do for Him in these peculiar days.
Yours, By His Grace
H. A. H.