[Biblemat] Sin, past, present, and future forgiven? (question/answers)

[Don Martin]

Don Martin sharing the question/answer that set our new record for the
most processed, answered, and followed up on question in the course
of a year in our Bible Questions work (4, 688):

Hello Rita,

Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible
Questions. Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org  Please check
out Bible Truths http://www.bibletruths.net  Go to the archives section of
these sites for material and also go to the archives search page and type in
any subject or word you wish to explore. New material is constantly being
added to both sites. Any help you can give us in telling others of
these sites will be greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in really learning more about the Bible, there is an
online Bible study course located in Bible Truths. While on the home page,
scroll down and enter.  While on the Map Site Page, click on "Online Bible
Study Course" in the table.  Click on http://www.bibletruths.net to go
there.

You asked:

"If we are now forgiven, past, present, and future and do we explain such
passages as I John 1: 6-9?"

Rita, your question is proof that you are a thinking person.  If you have
read, "Meet Don Martin" in www.bibletruths.net , you know that I have a
Baptist background (seminary and ordained to preach).  I am, therefore,
very familiar with the concept involved in your good question.  First John
one, verses six through nine are very pertinent to the subject of
forgiveness of sin.  The passage reads thus:

"6: If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not the truth:
7: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from
all sin.
8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not
in us.
9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

The biggest challenge found in the passage to the doctrine of present
forgiveness of future sins is observed in verse nine.  How can we already
have forgiveness of sins, especially unconditional forgiveness, that have
not yet been confessed or that are not even now a reality?  Second
Corinthians 1: 10 is the so called proof verse for the denominational
teaching of present forgiveness of future sins.  However, Paul is not even
discussing sin in the verse and even regarding deliverance from future
persecution, Paul anticipates deliverance.  The tenet of current forgiveness
of yet future sins is a forced doctrine due to the accompanying belief of
"once saved, always saved."  However, just as the scriptures teach
confession as a condition to sin, as seen, the same scriptures teach one
can so sin (not confess or repent of the sin) as to be lost or fall from
grace (Gal. 5: 4).  In short, the Bible does not teach the unconditional
present forgiveness of sins not yet committed.

Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual
matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference
(web addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both
Bible Questions and Bible Truths (see the copyright provision at the bottom
of the home page in Bible Truths).

Cordially,
Don Martin