God tells us "if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:7) His children also walk in light. It must be understood that we don't become God's children by walking in the light, but rather we walk in the light because we are His Children. and that is the only condition for receiving God's gracious forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 tells us "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Continuous confession characterizes Christians. At first glance that verse appears to contradict that truth by adding a condition--namely, confession of sin. Such is not the case, however. First John 1:9 could be translated, "If we are the ones confessing our sins, He is forgiving us." This verse looks at salvation from man's perspective and defines Christians as those who are continually confessing their sins. Confession, like saving faith, is not a one-time act, but a continuous pattern throughout our lives.
What is confession? The Greek word means "to say the same thing." Confession, then, is agreeing with God about our sin. Confession affirms that God is just when He chastens us for our sins. It also restores us to the place of His blessing---something He is always faithful to do. Proverbs 28:13 reinforces that truth, promising that "he who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion."
Some may question how a holy God can be "righteous" and still forgive sins. John has already answered that by noting in verse 7 that forgiveness comes through the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul declares that "God displayed [Christ] publicly as a propitiation (substitute) in His blood through faith...for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus: (Romans 3:25-26).
True confession involves sorrow because sin has offended God (2 Corinthians 7:10)--not mere remorse because of its negative consequence in one's life (as was the case with Saul [1Samuel 15:24] and Judas [Matthew 27:3]. It also involves repentance--turning away from sin and no longer embracing it. (cf. Acts 19:18-19, 1 Thess. 1:9).
Is there sin you've been clinging to? If so, confess and forsake it today, and experience God's blessed forgiveness.
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Suggestions for Prayer: Praise God for being "good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon [Him]" (Psalm 86:5).
devotion from "Strength for Today" devotional by John MacArthur
1 comment:
Such a good reminder that we need to be sorry before God...not just sorry that we get caught in sin or that someone has found out about it. This reminds me so much of my own testimony, as I realized that before I had a personal relationship with Christ, I was only sorry for my sin because I knew it disappointed my parents, teachers, loved ones. Thanks for sharing this, Mom!
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