Jesus Never Asked You to Do That! - Part 2

Are You Trying to Become What You Are?

What if much of the pressure Christians feel comes from trying to accomplish what Jesus already finished? In this message, Andrew exposes religious ideas about begging for forgiveness, keeping "short accounts" with God, and becoming more righteous. Your sins aren't partially forgiven, and righteousness isn't something you're working toward. Jesus canceled the debt and made you righteous. Discover why you can stop making payments, stop condemning yourself, and start resting in Christ's finished work.

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Colossians 2:13–14. If God has already forgiven us all our sins, what does that say about the idea that forgiveness has to be obtained again every time we fail?
2. Read Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13. Do we forgive others in order to get God to forgive us, or because He's already forgiven us? How does knowing this distinction change the reason and the way we forgive other people?
3. Read 1 John 2:12. Why do you think John speaks of forgiveness as an accomplished fact? How does this help us recognize what's really happening in often misused passage, 1 John 1:9?
4. Read Hebrews 8:12 and 10:17. What does it mean practically to live as though God truly remembers your sins no more? What do we do when we sin? Be specific.
5. Read Romans 5:19. According to this verse, what made us righteous? And how should that shape the way we see ourselves?
6. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. What is the difference between saying God merely treats us "as if" we are righteous versus saying that in Christ we've actually become the righteousness of God?
7. Read Romans 6:18. What does it mean that believers have been freed from sin and have become slaves of righteousness? How does that challenge the idea that our identity is still sinful?
8. Read Hebrews 10:10 and 10:14. How can believers be "sanctified" and even "perfected for all time" yet still continue to grow in their attitudes, choices, and behavior?
9. Read 1 Corinthians 1:2. Why is it significant that Paul calls the Corinthians "sanctified" and "saints" even though they still had serious behavior problems?