A Little Housewife Theology – Part Two

I Corinthians 1:27, “He has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.”

Sometimes He reveals things to me that seem to challenge the wisdom of the theology I’ve heard from the pulpit. When He does, it would be easy to question why He would choose to reveal truths to a housewife and mother of three kids, without a college degree, or a doctorate in theology. Also, unlike a pastor, my influence is limited to getting that message out to others. So, why would God choose to tell me these things you might ask? Well, when I read this verse through to the end “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord”, it is clear to see that, in this day and age, a housewife has little to boast about except in the things of the Lord, and for this I am thankful.

A Divine Revelation

One such revelation came during a time of prayer. I was having a rather fleshly day and the conviction on my heart drove me to my knees. As I was asking God for forgiveness for the sins, I had committed that day, I heard the Holy Spirit question me, “Why do you continue to ask for what you’ve already received?” The question stopped me dead in my tracks! At that moment, I realized that what I was praying for didn’t match up with what the Word of God said about forgiveness, or for that matter, what I personally believed about forgiveness. Then the Holy Spirit delivered a strong rebuke that cut me to the core. He said, “When you ask for forgiveness from God as a believer, you nullified the finished work Jesus accomplished on the cross.” This revelation broke my heart!

Psalms 103:12 says, “as far as the east is from the west so far has, He removed our transgression from us.” It’s clear to see that, according to this verse, when Christ died for our sin, it was for all our sin; past, present, and future. Do I hear an Amen?! What an awesome truth that is for those who have given their lives to Christ. However, let me ask you a question, “If all your sins; past, present, and future, are forgiven, why would you need to continue to ask for forgiveness?” Some have answered that question with, “Because I still sin.” Some have answered that question by quoting the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Some just look at me in confusion and say, “Aren’t I supposed to ask for forgiveness when I sin?”

Sadly, I’ve heard many pastors pray after a sermon, asking forgiveness for themselves, for the believers in their flock, and for sin in general. I’ve also heard many theologians teach about forgiveness and the need to continually ask for forgiveness when we sin, even as believers. However, these same pastors and theologians believe, as I do, that the forgiveness of Christ was for all sin; past, present, and future once and for all. So, why the confusion, and what is the TRUTH?

Well, this comes back to the question the Spirit asked me, “Why do you continue to ask for what you’ve already received?” So, let’s go to God’s Word for the answer. According to Scripture, when we sin, God requires that we confess and repent (acknowledge and turn away) from our sin. So, is the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13, a contradiction to this? Remember, this pattern for prayer was given to Jesus’ disciples before He went to the cross and while they were still under the penalty of sin. Therefore, Jesus’ instructions on asking for forgiveness in this passage do not apply to us, as believers now.  

A Divine Challenge

He who knew no sin bore our sin, all our sin on Himself so we could become the righteousness of God in Him. God no longer sees us in our sin that’s what allows us to have a relationship with Him. So, instead of asking for forgiveness when we sin, we are to confess that sin which means seeing our sin as God sees it. The next step is to repent of that sin (making the commitment to turn away from that sin with the help of the Holy Spirit). And finally, to thank Him for the forgiveness that is already ours. 

Some have asked, “Isn’t that just semantics or trivial wording that God really isn’t concerned about?” No, it isn’t! Satan hates the cross, and wouldn’t it be just like him to promote theology that nullifies or minimizes it somehow? There are faith systems out there that promote the belief that Jesus only died for past sins, but I am not of that persuasion, and I don’t think most evangelical believers are either.

Then how do we end up adopting the beliefs of other faith systems into our understanding of forgiveness? It could be the religious influences around us. It could be not knowing what we believe and why we believe it. Or maybe we’ve just got into a habit of doing something without thinking it through. For me, I was guilty on all three counts and the Holy Spirit had to break my heart for me to stop and realize what I was doing. 

Call to Action

Do not be deceived as I was! Search your heart and see if the theology of men has not caused you to do the same thing, I was guilty of. I don’t know why God would choose to reveal such an important spiritual truth to an ordinary housewife like me but I am so glad He did. After all, the Word of God does not say that your pastor will guide you into all truth. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to do that and when we let Him, God will use the foolish things of this world to shame the wise so that when we boast, we boast in the Lord.Father, help us to rely on Your Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to test what we hear, see, and read against the truth of Your Word, so we are “not conformed to the things of this world, but we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.” In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!