Question:

40.5—What Scriptures depict how heaven will look? Do we have to know?

Answer:

The second part of Question 40.5 is: “Do we have to know” how heaven will look? No, we do not have to know or our loving God would have told us more about it in His Word, the Bible. “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). God does not reveal truth to us so we will have “mental furniture,” but so we will “do” what He desires—for His honor and glory and our blessing.

Question:

40.4—Are there any other Scriptures aside from 1 John 2:1 that show how Christ draws us back into fellowship with the Father? 

Answer:

40.4—The word “Advocate” in 1 John 2:1 and the word “Comforter” found four times in John 14 are exactly the same.  Christ in heaven works to restore us from sin so that communion with the Father may be restored.  The Holy Spirit on earth, who indwells every redeemed one, does the same work.  I cannot think of another verse that refers to Christ in this way.

It might be good to refer to Hebrews 4:16 to show the difference between the work of the Advocate and that of our Great High Priest.  In Hebrews He gives us strength so as to stand the test of faith and not commit sin.  The work of the Advocate is to bring restoration due to sin being committed.  Standing faithfully and not sinning continues enjoyed communion with the Father and God is glorified.

Question:

40.3—I’ve heard the thought brought out that when we become Christians we no longer have to ask for FORGIVENESS for our sins because they have already been judged at Calvary.  The word “advocate” was tied to this thought noting that our Lord is continuously bringing us back into good fellowship with the Father. I know we are to confess our sins to God. Are we on wrong grounds by asking God for forgiveness when we sin?

Answer:

40.3—In this day of grace it is good to be concerned about our state before our Heavenly Father as regards sins in our daily walk, and the need of cleansing from their defiling effect. Granted, positionally we have been totally forgiven and cleansed, but to maintain a walk of nearness to the Lord, self judgment and confession need to be carried out. “Let a man examine himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28). “If we confess our sins…” (1 John 1:9).

Though this is a necessary practice to assure happy communion with the Father and the Son, let us be careful not to make it a legal ritual with pat expressions to be recited. David gives a starting example in the words, “For I will declare my iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin” (Psalm 38:18).  The Lord’s account of the prodigal son’s return to his father and his confession of, “Father, I have sinned” (Luke 15:21), certainly could be used as an example for us.

As the Lord deepens our perception of what His response to our confession will be, so will our words of confession more appropriately reflect this truth.

Question:
40.3—I’ve heard the thought brought out that when we become Christians we no longer have to ask for FORGIVENESS for our sins because they have already been judged at Calvary.  The word “advocate” was tied to this thought noting that our Lord is continuously bringing us back into good fellowship with the Father. I know we are to confess our sins to God. Are we on wrong grounds by asking God for forgiveness when we sin?

Answer:

40.3—“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38). This verse clearly teaches us that when we first come to God for forgiveness (judicial forgiveness from God as our Judge) we need not ask for forgiveness; we simply need to believe that forgiveness is ours through the Lord Jesus Christ. Like salvation and eternal life, forgiveness is a gift. When one offers you a gift, you simply take it. It would be out of place to turn to one who is offering you a gift and ask them for it. No, they are offering it to you because they want you to have it, and God’s forgiveness is ours the moment we trust the finished work of Christ.

After we are judicially forgiven we are in the family of God and if we sin as a child of God we need to go to God the Father (NOT to God as Judge, but as Father) for paternal (or restorative) forgiveness. But here too we do not ask for forgiveness; we simply confess our sin and His forgiveness is ours. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Both aspects of forgiveness (judicial and paternal) are gifts procured for us through the blood of Christ shed on Calvary. Faith is the hand that lays hold of them.