“Is it essential to my salvation, that I should be enabled to say I know my sins are forgiven? I have been told, that if I were to die without being able to say I was forgiven, there would be very little hope of my safety.”―E. G. S.
The Scriptures teach, that every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is forgiven. “Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:4343To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43).) “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7).) Forgiveness of sins is therefore clearly the present blessing of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. And observe, it is based not upon our thoughts or feelings, but on the already accomplished work of Jesus the Son of God. That Christ “purged our sins” is a fact; to have the enjoyment of this fact is another thing, and depends on simply receiving God’s truth about it. A lack of clear scriptural instruction as to the person and work of Christ, accounts, for many not having the joy and comfort of forgiveness in their souls. Scripture says: “Being justified by faith, WE HAVE peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1).) We earnestly and affectionately recommend you to search the Scriptures to know God’s mind on the subject, and not to listen to men. Faith says, “Let God be true, but every man a liar.” (Romans 3:44God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (Romans 3:4).)
“Can anyone be a disciple and not a child?”
Disciple simply means “scholar”―one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another. Judas was a disciple. A child of God is a true believer. “Ye are all the children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26).) There seem to have been many who took the place of scholars or disciples in the days of our Lord who never really believed in Him. We read in John 6:64-66,64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (John 6:64‑66) “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him. And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.”
“Is every believer sealed by the Holy Spirit? When does it take place? And how may I know that I am a sealed one?”
1. If you mean by “every believer” those who believe on the crucified, risen, and ascended Son of God for salvation, most certainly they are sealed. Knowing only John’s baptism is far short of this. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” (Romans 8:99But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Romans 8:9).) The saints at Ephesus, and the faithful or believing in Christ Jesus, are thus addressed: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:3030And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30).)
2. The sealing takes place after believing; it could not be before believing. “Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:66And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6).) After ye believed, ye were sealed. (Ephesians 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13).)
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” We know Jesus as Lord at God’s right hand by the Holy Ghost. He too is the Comforter, and takes of the thine of Christ, and shows unto us. We may (D.V.) enter more into this important point another time.