Death and Life are Concurrent

 In 2 Corinthians 4:16b we read, “Though the outward man is perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day.” The word perishing is the Greek word diaphtherio. It means decay and corruption. The word renewed is the Greek word anakainoō. It is a compound word. Ana means back or again. Kainos means new. It is used in the passive voice. What this means is the subject is receiving the action of the verb. The subject is the inward man. The verb action the inward man is receiving is the ongoing renewing of his spirit by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul wrote these words. Why did he write them? In this chapter, Paul is talking about the very high cost of following Jesus. We have to follow the Lord even if it means our death - a price Paul knew he would eventually pay and was happy to do so. You see Paul knew that there is life after death for those of us who are in Christ so he was motivated and motivated others to continue to fight the good fight of faith to the end.

Paul was giving a message of reality and ultimate hope. His present physical reality and ours is bleak yet temporary because of the present wickedness we are bombarded with everyday. Death and life is working in us at the same time. That is why he said the outward man is decaying. We’re all slowly dying physically, but our spirits are forever living and getting stronger. That is why we can rejoice because we have ultimate hope that this temporary life of pain will end when we die. Paul is encouraging us not to ignore what we see, but do not lose heart because of it. Like our physical bodies, it's fading away. Rather, we are with the eyes of faith focus on what we cannot see, for that is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). What we can’t see is ours now for it has been promised to us. It is part of our inheritance.

Paul declares these words regarding his present trials in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18:

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us. We are hard press on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us (emphasis added), but life in you. 

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believe therefore I spoke”, we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound the the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things that are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The previous twelve verses of revelation is what Paul lived and died for. Are we willing to imitate Paul and do the same?

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

Why Are You Here?

I would imagine most of us have asked ourselves that question. The inquiry started for me as a young child. When I ask the question, I am specifically asking, “Do you know what your purpose is in the very brief life that you have? For those who are in government they are convinced they would spend their lives as public servants, community advocates, council men and women, senators,  house members, first responders. Then there are doctors, lawyers, athletes, entertainers, humanitarians, etc. God has given us all talents and gifts to make this world a better, safer and healthier place to live. 

Sadly, many have and continue to abuse the gifts and talents given to them in lieu of helping others. Those that have perverted their gifts have caused irreparable damage to countless lives - not just human life, but wildlife as well. Human flourishing MUST always be the goal.

But that is not always the case.

If you don't know why you’re here, I have the answer for you. The Word of God tells us. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, The end of the matter: all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.

We have been created to give glory to God our whole lives long. That is the beauty and wisdom of the scriptures, it gives a singular all encompassing purpose, give glory to God! 

So, where do we start?

Proverbs 1:7 tells us, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Similarly  Proverbs 9:10-11 tells us, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and the years of life will be added to you.

I’m claiming those promises for myself, but in order to make good on that claim one MUST fear the Lord.

When Jesus began His public ministry He declared these words, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). In case you do not know what repent means, it is defined by changing one’s mind - about our sins in the Biblical evangelical context. You see Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission, to seek and save those who are lost - to save His people from their sins (Luke 19:10; Matt 1:21). The Father God's love for us is what compelled Him to send His only begotten Son to come and die for us (John 3:16). 

The main problem with man is that he has foolishly and hopelessly chosen to be at war with God - a battle he can never win. It's our sin that drives this insidious rage against our Maker. Listen to these penetrating words from King Solomon: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12;16:25).While man lives just to die, God desires to raise the dead to life!

What do I mean?

The Bible declares that we are dead in our trespasses and sins prior to the Spirit of God regenerating us to new life in Christ (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13). That is why Jesus told Nicodemus you must be born again (Italics added for emphasis John 3:3). Jesus has to come and give us the truth because without the Lord, we are dead while we live. John the Baptist said, “He that has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life, but the wrath of God abides on Him” (John 3:36). 

Without Jesus you are an empty shell. Although you may appear beautiful on the outside, inwardly you are a corpse, a casket spiritually (Matthew 23:27). No one should want that to be their legacy. To live your life apart from the Lord is a life wasted no matter how successful you are. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul, or what can a man give in exchange for his soul (Matthew 16:26)?

I realize that this is a hard word for many people, but it is the truth. Consider how brief life really is. Even if you lived to be 120 years old, what is that compared to eternity? Do you care enough about your life to turn it around for Jesus’ sake, or does He cramp your style? Are you ashamed of the gospel? Or perhaps you’re mad at God because you prayed for a sick loved one to get well and they died. Perhaps your spouse or child died all of a sudden. Why would a loving God allow that to happen? Here’s a very hard truth friends: 

Because of the sin of Adam the world since the dawn of time has been under a death sentence (Romans 6:23). All of us have an appointment with death. All of us are guaranteed to meet that appointment (Hebrew 9:27). What frightens the world is that we do not know or have control of when and how we will die. But God knows. He’s the only one that knows.

Here is another frightening thought, most do not know for certain where they will end up - heaven or hell. These are realities most do not want to talk about. I get that. But as each day comes and goes, we are getting closer to closing our eyes and waking up in eternity - with or without the Lord. These are the only two realities any of us will face. If there are other options, then God is a liar and the Bible is not true. 

Not even the devil is that stupid.

We were made to love the Lord our God with our heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). At the end of the day nothing else matters. Sure, God made this planet for us to inhabit, to train it, subdue and enjoy its numerous benefits and blessings. We should have fun, joy, love and peace and laughter as much as possible in this brief life of pain and sin. But that cannot and should not be the sum total of our lives - to enjoy God’s creation without giving Him praise for it. As beautiful as this planet is, it's defiled because of mankind’s sin. God will destroy and re-create it to the paradise it once was before the fall of mankind that brought sin into the world (Isa 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:1).

So you see unregenerate man is a prisoner to his evil. That is why he can never have lasting peace. Unredeemed man is a savage. It starts in his youth. He is the most untamed beast the world will ever know. Peace only comes from Jesus, the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). Only the Lord can find and save wretches like us. Only then will you know why you’re here - to conform to Christ’s image (Romans 8:29). That will take your whole life long (Ephesians 2:10).

The Bible commands us that whatever we do, do to glory to God (Matt 5:16;1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:17).

Without the Lord you’re only born to die - eternally without him in hell.

Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth (Galatians 4:16)?

Why Are You Here? A Preview

 When Jesus began His public ministry He declared these words, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). In case you do not know what repent means, it is defined by changing one’s mind - about our sins in the Biblical evangelical context. You see Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission, to seek and save those who are lost - to save His people from their sins (Luke 19:10; Matt 1:21). The Father God's love for us is what compelled Him to send His only begotten Son to come and die for us (John 3:16). 

The main problem with man is that he has foolishly and hopelessly chosen to be at war with God - a battle he can never win. It's our sin that drives this insidious rage against our Maker. Listen to these penetrating words from King Solomon: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12;16:25).While man lives just to die, God desires to raise the dead to life!

What do I mean?

The Bible declares that we are dead in our trespasses and sins prior to the Spirit of God regenerating us to new life in Christ (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13). That is why Jesus told Nicodemus you must be born again (Italics added for emphasis John 3:3). Jesus has to come and give us the truth because without the Lord, we are dead while we live. John the Baptist said, “He that has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life, but the wrath of God abides on Him” (John 3:36). 

“Move Over. You’re Blocking My View!”

Listen to what happened to me in worship service today. What would you have done?

https://www.patreon.com/posts/youre-blocking-137263832 

Is Replacement Theology Biblical?

Replacement Theology or Supressionism is the teaching that God has replaced the nation of Israel with the Church. All the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant now belong to the Church as God has rejected Israel due to her unfaithfulness and disobedience over the centuries. To my knowledge, I am not aware of when this "replacement" occurred, but there were many no doubt during the first century believed God had rejected his people due to their unbelief. Paul in Romans 11:1 asked the question, "Has God rejected His people?" I'll answer that later. But what does the word of God say in regards to His covenant relationship with Israel. To understand God's relationship with Israel, we must go back in time before the nation was born to see what were the conditions of the covenant God made with one man, Abram (named changed to Abraham in Genesis 17:5).

The call of Abram

The Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and father's household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all people on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:1-4).

The Abrahamic Covenant

"Look up at the sky and count the stars-if indeed you can count them." Then He said to Him, "So shall your offspring be." Abram believed God and he credited to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:5).

"On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perrizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites" (Genesis 15:18b-20).

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I Am God Almighty; walk before Me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God" (Genesis 17:1-8).

The aforementioned texts makes it clear God has not forsaken His ancient people although most of them have forsaken the Lord over millennia. Two of the main promises/blessings of the Abrahamic covenant are 1) Numerous descendants. 2) Land grant. The covenantal promises God made to Abraham were not conditional; meaning that Abraham had to do something to merit them. This was a one way promise., God chose to bless Abraham simply because it pleased Him to do so (Psalm 115:3).

Whether modern society wants to accept it or not, the land of Israel belongs to the Jews, not the Arabs. As we have just read, God promised the land to Abraham and all of his offspring: His son Isaac, Isaac's son Jacob who's name was changed to Israel by God in Genesis 32:28. That is why the land is called Israel to this very day. The land was given the name Syria Palestina  after the defeat of the Jews led by military leader  Simon Bar Kochba against Emperor Hadrian on the 9th of Av 135 AD. To many this defeat of Israel led many to believe that God has forsaken the Jews permanently.

The rebirth of Israel

No nation in human history has ever resurrected after not being a nation or not having a homeland for nearly 1900 years other than the Jews. Their first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion on May 14th, 1948 declared that the new state of Israel was officially born and they were independent. Since this declaration, this tiny nation has had nothing but war in the last 77 years as a state. After defeating Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis all proxy's for Iran, they attacked Iran directly on June 13, 2025. 

What is currently the position Biblically of Israel?

    

                                                                   

Due to Israel's unbelief, they have been temporarily set aside by God. Why? Because they did not acknowledge the time of their visitation. When was that? When their Messiah Jesus Christ was on the earth desiring to save them and they refused. This is what Jesus said during Passion Week, As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming" (Luke 19:41-44). So Israel's current status is their fault, but remember, God promised through Abraham that his descendants would be blessed forever and they would always have a homeland - the land of Israel. They belong there by divine right although the Palestinians want to wipe them off the face the earth.

They will never succeed.

The current plan of God is spreading the gospel truth through the Church. Understand, there are many Jews who are believers and are in the Church enjoying the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant. Paul describes the Jews as natural branches in God's olive tree. The olive tree is a metaphoric description of God's blessings to all His people. Gentiles are described as wild olives branches - not natural but grafted in due to Israel's disobedience and their faith in God. The point of God allowing Gentiles the blessings of Abraham is to make Israel jealous so that they will repent and believe the gospel so that they can be grafted back into God's olive tree since the covenants naturally belong to them by virtue of the fact they are the natural descendants of father Abraham. Israel will remain in the background of God's end time plan until the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled (Romans 11:25). After that time, God will save believing Israel and put them center stage on His end time calendar as the Church will be taken out of the earth via the rapture, and Israel will remain to be be protected and nourished for the three and a half years during the great tribulation (Revelation  12:6). 

Think about it, if God had cut off Israel completely, why are they still here? And more importantly, why did He allow them to re-establish themselves as a Jewish state after 1900 years of not being a nation because they have been dispersed all over the world since AD 70 when they were defeated by Emperor Titus and the Romans? There are more Jews in Israel than anytime in history - over 7 million. That's nearly half of the their entire world population which is around 16 million.

Paul said the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). His covenant to the Jews was not extinguished because of their unbelief - for it is an everlasting covenant. Israel will never be replaced by the Church. The Church has benefited from the disobedience of Israel (Romans 11:11-24). Paul severely warns his Gentile readers not to become arrogant because they have been grafted in but rather fear and tremble. He tells them if He (God) did not spare the natural branches, they could be cut off too (meaning the Gentiles/ unnatural branches). This completely dispels the replacement theology against the Jews. Just as they were cut off due to unbelief, Gentiles can be cut off due to their unbelief.  God HAS NOT forsaken His covenant people. Replacement theology is a heresy.

The Faith That Saves

Everyone exercises faith everyday whether they realize it or not. Every time we put food in our mouths, we are sure it will not harm us but nourish our bodies. Anytime we take a drink, we assume it is not poisoned. Every time we start our car we set off a series of explosions under the hood and we do not have a concern about the car blowing up. People trust the surgeon to use the knife on them to make the correct incisions with no surety the procedure will be successful. We know when we get paid from our employer that the money will be in the bank when we need to withdraw it although the paper check has no value. This is what the writer calls everyday faith. We do all these things and much more without thinking about them.

Why?

Because, our cars do not blow up when we start our engines. Some of our food is bad because it's processed with GMO's and many other additives but we eat it anyway. What we drink usually does not harm us. We have a relationship with these things, so we are used to them. But what about the faith that saves the soul?

Faith must have an object - whether it's a person, place or thing. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is described as The Hall of Faith or the Hall of the Faithful. The first verse of the chapter says, "Faith is the substance of the things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen." Atheists view faith as quackery. Why? Because they believe the faith of Christians is void of empirical evidence. In other words, the believer's faith is blind - fools gold, nebulous, superstitious.  Nothing could be further from the truth. 

The evidence(s) that fuels the believer's faith

If the accounts in the Bible were lies, then the non-believer would have a leg to stand on, and we would have no evidence to back up our faith,  but they do not. It is vitally important to note that the majority of the writers of scripture were eyewitnesses to what they wrote about or were associates to eyewitnesses. Just because the skeptic cannot make sense of the Biblical accounts in their mind does not mean they did not occur. If one is an honest reporter, they can provide precise details of an event they witnessed that can be verified. If no one else was there to counter their version of the facts, how can one say they are wrong? 

Luke the physician was not an eyewitness of the life of Jesus but was associated with those who knew our Lord personally. He received their testimony, carefully researched the facts no doubt and provided an orderly account to a man named Theophilus:

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us. Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word. It seem good to me also having had a perfect understanding of all things from the very first to write unto you in order most excellent Theophilus, that you might know the certainty of those things, wherein you have been instructed (Luke 1:1-4).

We do not know anything about Theophilus, but Luke must have had tremendous love and respect for him, as he provides a written evangelistic account of Jesus Christ for this man. The gospel of Luke is the most complete of all four gospel accounts. The book of Acts also written by Luke was dedicated to Theophilus. In it Luke says to Theophilus, "In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when He was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:1-3).

Peter said regarding the testimony of Christ said, For we did not follow cleverly devised myths (or fables) when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased', we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain (2 Peter 1:16-17).

God's written word is the evidence that energizes our faith, and is also what makes it real. Our faith is based on the truth. Our faith is living and active because it has been given to us by God. Without the Lord, we could never have true saving faith. If God does not exist, how could we have faith in Him and His promises?

What does Hebrews 11:1 mean?

The verse reads, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The writer of Hebrews (which some scholars believe was Paul), said our faith has two important ingredients: substance and evidence. Due to those who had personal relationships with God Almighty, their faith was strengthened because of the promises given to them by God. The Lord was mighty in their midst so they had absolute confidence in what God promised them, He would fulfill. Now, not all saw the full manifestation of what was promised in their lifetime, but they saw it afar off (vs 13).

Likewise, everything God has promised us most likely will not happen in our lifetime, but will be fulfilled in the life to come. So what do we do? We rejoice in the promises of God as if they have been fulfilled. By faith we see the promises afar off although they have not manifested. Faith gives us vision to see the invisible. Our faith has substance or assurance. Bible teacher John MacArthur in his commentary on Hebrews 11 said, 

"Faith is the present essence of a future reality."

This same faith is what saves the soul. When one places their faith in the finished atoning work of Jesus Christ, we are declared righteous by God. This faith is a gift from God to believe in God the Son. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Saving faith does not make sense to the unregenerate. Why? Because they are blind spiritually and can never see it. Jesus said to those who have not seen Him yet believe are blessed (John 20:29). To the world it does not make sense to believe in a God we have never seen or who's voice we have never heard. We do not make the rules of engagement when it comes to how we are to relate to God; He makes them. The writer of  Hebrews said, "Without faith it is impossible to please God. For those that come to Him MUST believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). 

The faith of the redeemed

By way of wrap up, the believer's faith is the assurance now in the promises of God for the eternal. Our faith is not whimsical, airy or a leap into some endless black hole. Our faith is not blind; rather it sees. It sees so far that like the faithful of old who are dead, it endures now as a testimony to them. Believer's possess that same faith - the faith of Abraham that justified him (Gen 15:6; Rom 4:16). Our faith is based on truth, on what is real - the enduring Word of God which lasts forever so it will and cannot fail. The faith we possess has by grace led us to eternal life. 

Those who refuse to place faith in the Lord will never enter into the Kingdom of God. Anyone that places their trust in someone or something else is hopelessly blind. Even demons have a better faith than the non-believer; they believe God exists (James 2:19).

This is the thought process of the un-saved toward the Christian Faith: 

You can't convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it's based on a deep-seated need to believe

Carl Sagan

Do I Remain a Sinner Once My Sins are Forgiven?

This is not a trick question. There are some Christians who believe they are no longer sinners when they came to Christ. Let's analyze and find out from God's Word what happens to our sins when we repent and believe the gospel.

Ephesians 1:7 tells us that In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. The word forgiveness in the Greek is Aphesis. It means remission, to release sins from the sinner. One must understand that when Jesus took away our sins through His death, He was our substitute. He acted as our intercessor and mediator; He suffered, was punished by the Father for our trespasses and paid our sin debt when He died. This was a judicial act by Christ. 

If one can imagine a court scene: 

The Judge is the Father, Satan is mankind's accuser, and Jesus is our defense attorney, our advocate. Now the devil of course wants us to kill us so that we're sent to hell unforgiven so he begins to belch out all of our sins to the Judge: Idolater, murderer, liar, glutton, drunkard, thief, adulterer, blasphemer, covetousness, etc. The Judge says to the defense attorney, "What do you have to say about these accusations?" The defense replies to the Judge, "My Lord the things the accuser has charged my clients with were true, but my Lord You sent Me here not only to defend my clients, You commanded Me to give My life for them because You and I love them. I did what You commanded Me 2,000 years ago and those that have repented and put their trust in Me I cleansed with my blood and saved them so the enemy has no right to them. They belong to You and Me My Honorable Lord. I AM their redeemer. I AM their Savior!

Because of Christ we have received a divine pardon. The Judge has banged His gavel and given us a not guilty verdict. We are free in Christ. Praise God! But just because our sins are no longer counted against us, it does not mean we are not still sinners - we are. How do I know this?

The apostle John in I John 1:8-10 says this to believers, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

So, if we have been forgiven of all our sins when we initially repented and believed in the atoning work of Jesus for salvation, then why does John say as believers that we have to confess our sins to be cleansed from unrighteousness? I can understand why John's words could be confusing. Were our sins washed away or not?

You see Jesus delivered us from the penalty and power of sin, but currently not its presence. Our bodies have not received its glorification yet so we still struggle in our flesh and war against sin. Because the temptation to sin is with us, we fall prey to sin and we must confess it to the Lord for ongoing cleansing. This confession of sin is not forgiveness so that we can be saved again, but rather a familial or relationship forgiveness - like a father would give to his son that disobeys him (Hebrews 12:5-11). 

I John 2:1-2 says, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may may not sin. If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." 

Notice what the Elder Apostle John said, my little children. He is clearly making reference to Christians; meaning we do sin. Now, sinning cannot be the pattern of the believer's life because we have been delivered from it. It no longer has dominion over us. You see, we sin, but we must not practice it. That was our former pattern of life. 

Why we should continually confess our sins

Paul said in Romans 15:4, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

God relayed clearly to the children of Israel that in order for Him to dwell in their presence, the land could not be defiled by their sin. How in the world could approximately a couple of million people remain clean? By slaughtering animals, shedding their blood as a sin substitute for them. God required usually sheep, lamb, goats and bulls without blemish to be a sacrifice. The blood shed from these animals was an atonement for the sins of the people. The reason they had to continually offer sacrifices was because the animal's blood could only cover sins, it could not wash away the sins of the people. Hebrews 10:4 tells us the blood of bulls and goats could NEVER take away sins. The blood of animals pre-figured the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Remember the words of John the Baptist, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

I provided that small history lesson to show that although we are clean by the blood of the Lamb inwardly, our outward man which Paul describes as a body of death is not clean and is subject to sin (Romans 7:24). Ongoing confession of sin is good for our soul and body. It is not something we should do ritualistically or mechanically. Rather, we should do it humbly and joyfully realizing that we never deserve the right to even dwell in the presence of the Lord, let alone approach His holy majestic throne. 

So yes, we are still sinners, no question about it. The difference for the believer vs. the non believer is that our lives can no longer be dominated by it. The power of the Holy Spirit compels us to resist sin. The Bible tells us that we cannot practice sin because of the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 John 3:4-9). Notice I did not say temptation for we are always tempted due to the corruption that is in our flesh and the sinfulness of others. 

There will come a glorious day when we will sin no more. That will be when we are glorified in our bodies. That blessed day is when Jesus returns for His Bride the Church. The dead in Christ will rise first. Then all those who are alive will be changed and will meet the Lord in the air (1 Cor 15:51-58; 1 Thess 4:13-18).