K107. Did Paul tell us just to confess righteousness instead? (1)

Many will say, "You keep telling us that Jesus wants us to confess our sins in (K106, K107, and K100), but do you know that Paul tells us to confess our righteousness in Christ instead? Paul said, "There is therefore NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ" (Rom 8:1) and "We are the righteousness of God" (2Cor 5:17). So, we should confess righteousness (not sins which make us feel more condemned). So, when there is a conflict between what Jesus said and what Paul said, whom do we listen to? If you want to feel more condemned, go ahead and confess your sins. But, as for me, my loved ones, my sinners, and my churches, we listen only to the gospel that Paul preached because Paul is the only Apostle who can really speak for Christ or preach grace. That's why we can say that most of the parables and doctrine of Jesus Christ are under the law and they are not for us although we may still learn something from His sermon, for example, His words about "seek ye first the kingdom of God and don't worry about tomorrow". Naturally, confession of sins is a law teaching or false humility which has become obsolete. 1 John 1:9 said clearly that it is the confession for the agnostic believers; not for us .."

What should we confess if there is a conflict?
I will tell them, If there is a conflict between what Jesus said and what Paul said, it means either:
1. Jesus is right and Paul is wrong. When there is a conflict, you must still listen to Jesus; not Paul, because the words of Jesus can never be wrong or obsolete (Mat 28:19, Joh 6:63),
or
2. Jesus is right and Paul is right. There is no conflict, but you need to find out what Paul has really said.
I choose (2) because I believe that there is no conflict in the Bible; the conflict is only created by you. If you can convince me that we need the revolution of grace that is preached by Paul to 'think' differently, and hence, we must believe only in Paul's words and not in Jesus' words, I will still choose (2) - I believe that both Jesus and Paul are right; but you are wrong ! You must find out what Paul has really said in 2Co 5:21 and Rom 8:1:

1.  2Co 5:21 - Did Paul really tell us to confess righteousness?
2Co 5:21 KJV  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Did Paul say that we must confess or boast that we are (already) righteous or we are (already) the righteousness of God in Christ (in order to be made righteous)? No, certainly not. Neither did he say that we must confess it (how many times) to get righteousness or to be made the righteousness of God in Christ. In fact, Paul said it very clearly that we cannot do anything that we might be made the righteousness of God. It is Christ, not our confession or boasting, that make us the righteousness of God. So, can we still confess righteousness or confess that we are made righteous by Christ? Of course, you can. Go ahead and confess it if you still want to feel good by confessing it. However, if the confession is not a command from Paul and it does not make you righteous, you cannot use what is not a command to nullify the commands of Jesus Christ who call sinners to repentance (Luk 11:4, 18:14).
Act 17:30 KJV  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: .. (26:20) But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, .. that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Hence, there is only one type of confession which matters the most, which is a command to all men. it is the command of God for all men to repent and confess it that they might be reconciled to God. Of course, the confession itself will not make people righteous; but if it is done in obedience to Christ or in Christ, it is true repentance in Christ, and it will becomes the fruits of our lips which show that we are made righteous by Christ. Only this type of confession can be explained with consistency in both what Jesus said and what Paul said. When we place their words side by side, we can now find agreement of Paul words to the words of Jesus Christ because true repentance in us will testify that the words of Christ are not only true; they are the spirit and life which all good things must come from:
1. The words of Jesus: Luk 11:4 KJV  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.  Luk 18:13 KJV  And the publican, standing afar off, .. saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
2. The words of Paul: 2Co 5:20-21 KJV  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  (21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Do you find the continuation (of what Jesus said) in what Paul said? Please think, How are we made righteous? Didn't all their words say clearly that we confess that we are the sinners before God to be reconciled to God, that we might be made the righteousness of God (in Christ)? Why did Paul emphasize that it is the righteousness of God IN CHRIST? It is the righteousness IN CHRIST only if we think, confess, obey, or do all that Jesus said and commanded us to do. Otherwise, it is not in Christ, and we are not in Christ.
Hence, repentance with the confession of sin is a command of God. It is the type of repentance that Jesus and Paul preached (Act 17:30, 26:20). But, repentance with the confession of righteousness is only the change of mind based on the realisation of men. It is a type of 'repentance' that men preach (or the hyper grace preachers preach). Which type of repentance would you believe in?

2. Rom 8:1 - Did Paul really tell us to confess no condemnation?
Rom 8:1 KJV  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
I have explained in (K102) that Rom 8:1 cannot stand alone by itself. We must read it with the previous Bible verses. However, before we find out more, please think, Did Paul say that we should just confess it so that there is no condemnation or so that we do not feel any condemnation? No, I am sure that he did not say that. Of course, I have said that we cannot do anything to make ourselves righteous, to be righteous, or to be justified. However, if you just want to feel righteous, feel justified, or feel less condemned, go ahead and just confess it. However, we know that Paul did not tell us to just know or CONFESS it to have no condemnation; he showed how we might DO like him to have no condemnation. He showed us what he did in Rom 7:24-25, and therefore, there is no condemnation to him who used to feel like wretched man:
Rom 7:24-25 KJV O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
I have explained in (K102) why there were two different laws in Paul and how he used to struggle until he was settled in his mind to serve the law of God in his mind. The law of God is the Spirit of God who will still remind us of the laws and commandments of God so that we will know, obey, and walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Only the true spirit of God is subject to the Spirit of God or the law of God (Rom 8:7). Ok, I do not want to continue and repeat what I have already said in (K102).
But, many people still argue, "How do you know that Rom 7:24-25 explain that Paul had stopped his struggle because he obeyed the law of God with his mind; but the law of sin with his flesh. It doesn't make sense for him to obey the law of sin with his flesh ! Hence, we would explain that Paul stopped his struggle only because he did not obey any law; instead, he obeyed only Jesus Christ who deliver him from the body of death. That's why he thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord in (v25) that he has no more struggle, no more sin, and no more condemnation."
I will tell them, That is a good explanation. But it is still not good enough to explain why Paul would still talk about the law of God and walk in the law and the Spirit of God in the next chapter in Rom 8:1-4. However, I believe that the following is the explanation of Rom 7:24-25 and it explains why there is, therefore, no condemnation who will do like Paul:

Paul did not just confess righteousness; he did the words of Christ
Paul would let only the law of God have his mind (Heb 8:10). He would serve the law of God with his mind too, but the law of sin and death with his flesh. What does it mean when his flesh was served under the law of sin and death? It means that he would 'willfully' crucify his flesh and the sinful desires on the cross of death. That's why he thanked God for Jesus who deliver him from the body of that death in (v24). Contrary to what many hyper grace preachers said, Paul had no condemnation, not because he just closed his eyes (or his mind) and assumed that there was no more sin in the flesh, but because he took up the cross according to the command of the Lord. When he had decided to serve the law of God with his mind, taking up his cross daily and walking in the Spirit was, therefore, no longer a struggle to him.
Luk 9:23-26 KJV  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  (24)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.  (25)  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?  (26)  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
Now can we see the vast difference between what some think that what Paul preached and what Paul really preached? Some preach that there is no condemnation when they just CONFESS, think, or boast about the righteousness of God. But Paul actually preached that there is no condemnation when we DO the words of Jesus Christ by serving the law and Spirit of God with our mind and walking in His Spirit.

The doctrine of Christ will become crucial in understanding and doing the righteousness of God in the end time
I would not claim that I know the heart and mind of Paul better than all the Bible scholars. I do not think that the believers need to go so deep into the doctrine of Christ and Paul, to the extend of understanding how Paul thought or served the law of God from Rom 7:24 to Rom 8:1-4 too. However, in the end time, it could become one of the most crucial truth to detect and defeat major errors (tares) in the doctrine of the antiChrist who would constantly preach, corrupt, or conspire against the gospel, the seed, and repentance message of Jesus Christ. When the beast comes, he would challenge The Word and nullify all the doctrine and teaching of Christ too. Hence, it is time to go deeper now because no one can imagine how (in the world it could become possible that) the words of Paul could be so twisted:
1. that it becomes a vain confession of righteousness or boasting which Paul would never preach
2. that it will fight against the gospel and Jesus Christ who called sinners to repentance and taught the believers about the humility of confession of sins. The end is near !

To walk in the Spirit is not just to confess righteousness; but do righteousness
Many still argue, "But why do we keep talking about understanding and doing the righteousness of God when Jesus has done everything for us and when we ourselves have become the righteousness of God. It does not matter what we do when God's righteousness is in us. We are always righteous in God's eyes even if we lie or sin. Do you know that Abraham lied and he was considered as righteous? And whatever that he did was imputed unto him for righteousness?"
Rom 4:22-24 KJV  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.  (23)  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;  (24)  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Jas 2:23-24 KJV  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  (24)  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
I will tell them, Yes, what Abraham did out of faith was imputed unto him for righteousness; but the scripture did not say that 'whatever' he did was imputed unto him for righteousness, including the lies and adultery. I am sure God would not want us to correlate His righteousness with lies by always saying that Abraham lied and it was imputed unto him for righteousness. God hates lies. If Abraham lied, it does not mean that we can lie. Do we know what is the great difference between Abraham and the believers under the New Testament? Abraham was not filled with the Holy Spirit; but we are. We have the Holy Spirit to teach us not to lie. Hence, we would not encourage others to lie too. Please think, If we always preach the righteousness of God by giving the example of how Abraham lied or how David committed adultery and how God would still forgive them graciously, do you know what kind of false impression or Old Testament teaching we will give to the people? We are not calling the sinners to repentance under the New Testament; but we are giving out the wrong signal to live with lies.
Many preachers still argue, "We preach only the confession of righteousness but we still receive countless testimonies of people who are set free. Many smokers stop smoking because of confession of righteousness. The pornography addicts and drugs addicts were also delivered. People who used steal, no long steal too .. etc"
I will tell them, Countless testimonies? That's an exaggeration. No offence if I say this, If you preach and tell people to confess righteousness to grow more hair or to become prettier, many will still believe and write to you that it works for them too. The logic is: We cannot prove our own human realization based on our lame excuses or twisted interpretation of God's words. We should prove only what God said; not what we said.
There is an obvious difference between the doctrine of confession and the doctrine of doing: The doctrine of confession is still considered as a confession or lower principle in the eyes of the Lord. No matter how well we can confess it, it is still a confession. If we really want the believers to grow, we should teach like Paul and encourage them to go for higher doctrine or principles by doing the words of God: Heb 6:1 KJV  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God ..
That's why 'do nothing' principle is a dead principle or dead belief if it would just keep teaching the believers to stay at the level of confession without doing anything even though it may have been taught correctly as the Lord's foundation of righteousness, repentance, or faith:
Jas 2:19-20 KJV  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  (20)  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

We are now more equipped by the Spirit of God to do God's righteousness
Please remember, We are no longer living under the law or Old Testament. Hence, we cannot tell the people to lie like Abraham (sin like king David or sin like those who were under the Old Testament) and still expect God to forgive them. We would now tell them under the New Testament to repent and turn from their sins because we have the grace of God to be filled with the Holy Spirit and walk in His Spirit now. We have the law and Spirit of God to guide us constantly to do righteousness now. We have the words of God to instruct us or teach us to do righteousness too:
Mat 5:6 KJV  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Rom 6:12-15 KJV  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (13)  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  (14)  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  (15)  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
1Co 15:33-34 KJV  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  (34)  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
1Ti 6:10-12 KJV  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  (11)  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  (12)  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Heb 12:11 KJV  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
2Pe 2:21 KJV  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
1Jn 2:29 KJV  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1Jn 3:7-10 KJV  Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. .. .. (10)  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Rev 22:11-14 KJV  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  (12)  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  (13)  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  (14)  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

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