Grace in Focus – What Is Positional Forgiveness and Is It Biblical?

Episode Date: February 25, 2026
Host(s): Bob Wilkin & Ken Yates
Podcast: Grace Evangelical Society

Episode Overview

In this episode of Grace in Focus, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates have a candid discussion on the topic of positional forgiveness versus experiential (or fellowship) forgiveness in the New Testament. Challenging a commonly held view among evangelicals, they explore whether the Bible genuinely teaches that believers are "positionally forgiven" of all sins—past, present, and future—at the moment of faith. The conversation scrutinizes key scriptural passages, examines the implications for assurance, sanctification, and judgment, and encourages listeners to critically consider and pray about these theological distinctions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Positional vs. Experiential Forgiveness

[01:39-02:47]

• Positional Forgiveness:

  • The belief that "when we believed in Jesus, all of our sins were forgiven, past, present and future." (Yates, [01:53])
  • Commonly cited as essential for entrance into the kingdom; associated with the idea that all sins are placed on Jesus and believers receive His righteousness.

• Experiential (Fellowship) Forgiveness:

  • The ongoing need for forgiveness in the believer's walk; e.g., based on 1 John 1:9, believers must confess sins to maintain fellowship with God.
  • This view distinguishes between a one-time judicial forgiveness and a repeated need for restoration of closeness to God.

2. Justification vs. Forgiveness

[02:22-03:09]

• Bob and Ken clarify that "justification" is being declared righteous, not being made righteous ("That's the Catholic view." Yates, [03:10]).
• Notable Quote:

  "Declared righteous is what is called justification. But to say that I have received forgiveness is not the same as saying, I'm declared righteous or I've received his righteousness."
  (Wilkin, [02:47])

3. Calvinist and Lordship Views – Salvation as a Process

[03:31-06:10]

• The hosts critique modern Calvinists (e.g., Schreiner, Piper) for teaching a two-stage view:

  • "Initial salvation" at conversion, but "final salvation" (everlasting life) is only received if one perseveres.
  • John Piper's stark statement:

    "If you don't fight lust, you will go to hell."
    (Yates, [04:48])

• The concept is described as "mumbo jumbo" (Yates, [05:07]) and inconsistent, as it does not align with traditional views of new birth.

4. Prevalence and Appeal of Positional Forgiveness

[06:20-06:34]

• Even in grace circles, the idea of positional forgiveness is widespread ("99%," Yates, [06:25]).
• Suggestion to listeners: "Pray about it. Search the scriptures." (Yates, [06:34])

5. Scriptural Tension: Colossians and Ongoing Forgiveness

[09:19-11:16]

• Verses cited in support of positional forgiveness: Colossians 1 and 2 ("He's forgiven us all our trespasses," [09:22]) and 2 Corinthians 5:20.

• The hosts argue these passages may have been misunderstood:

  • Forgiveness may refer to past sins up to the point of belief.
  • Ongoing confession (1 John 1:9) is necessary for continued fellowship.

• Notable Reflection:

  "We're talking out of both sides of our mouths when we say positionally, we're forgiven of all our sins, but we need experiential forgiveness... it doesn't make any sense to me."
  (Wilkin, [10:31])

6. Human vs. Divine Forgiveness & Practical Implications

[10:35-11:46]

• Analogy: Unlike God, humans cannot forgive people in advance ("Biblically, we're not commanded to forgive people in advance. And there's no indication God does." Yates, [10:49]).
• Acts 10:43: Forgiveness at faith concerns "past sins."
• Fresh believers start the Christian life with "a clean slate," and only need to confess new sins as they occur.

7. Is the Case for Positional Forgiveness Strong?

[11:46-12:04]

• The biblical support for positional forgiveness is described as "awful weak... extremely thin." (Wilkin, [11:59])

8. Distinction Between Eternal Life & Forgiveness

[12:32-12:37]

• Forgiveness of sins and receiving eternal life are not identical, though often conflated among evangelicals.
• 1 John 1:9 and Luke 15 (Prodigal Son) demonstrate that believers can be out of fellowship and in need of ongoing forgiveness.

Memorable Quotes

• On Justification vs. Forgiveness:

  "Declared righteous is what is called justification. But to say that I have received forgiveness is not the same as saying, I'm declared righteous or I've received his righteousness."
  (Wilkin, [02:47])

• On Calvinist Perseverance:

  "If you don't fight lust, you will go to hell. That's a direct quote."
  (Yates, [04:48])

• On the Practical Tension:

  "We're talking out of both sides of our mouths when we say positionally, we're forgiven of all our sins, but we need experiential forgiveness... it doesn't make any sense to me."
  (Wilkin, [10:31])

• On Scriptural Basis:

  "It's awful weak. The support for positional forgiveness is extremely thin."
  (Wilkin, [11:59])

• On Ongoing Fellowship:

  "When you believe, you start in fellowship with the Lord. And when you sin in the future, you need to confess those sins to continue to walk in the light."
  (Wilkin, [11:37])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:39] – Introduction to positional forgiveness and experiential forgiveness
• [02:47] – Distinguishing justification from forgiveness
• [04:48] – John Piper's comment on fighting lust and hell
• [06:20-06:34] – Prevalence of the positional forgiveness view in the church
• [09:19] – Scriptural passages (Colossians, 2 Corinthians) and their interpretation
• [10:31] – Critique of the two-fold forgiveness model
• [11:46] – Exhortation to consider the biblical basis for these doctrines
• [12:32] – The distinction between forgiveness and eternal life

Tone & Closing

Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates urge listeners to wrestle with these teachings, examine the scriptures afresh, and not simply accept theological traditions. They emphasize grace, encourage thoughtful consideration, and highlight the meaningful distinction between initial forgiveness at belief and the ongoing need for relational restoration with God—while rejecting the notion that positional forgiveness of all future sins is biblically explicit.

For further study, visit: faithalone.org