LEARNING DAILY

 

1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

I know I have written about the need to know this verse in many of the pages of the blog.  Yet, every Believer must understand the need to confess the sin they commit. Anyone who believes they stop sinning after he/she is saved is fooling themselves. Sin is a part of the human nature. In verse 8, John is writing to counter those who deny sin is a part of human nature or who believe their action (evil actions) are not really sin (from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible). Believers today must be aware that the flesh or the sinful nature is a constant threat to our walk on the narrow way. Therefore, we must be continually putting to death the evil deeds of the flesh by walking the way God’s Word instructs us each day.

 

John’s writing in verse 9 is the fourth “if” statement in this letter. We are going to sin. But “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. The sin we commit needs to be confessed; it must be a part of the Christian’s walk on the narrow way. This is written to believers. It is assurance of God’s promise to forgive us and remove the impact of sin on our fellowship with Him. Yes, sin is forgiven the moment that one asks Jesus into their hearts. However, after that moment we do not stop sinning. Salvation is not a license to just do anything we desire because our sins are forgiven. We are to walk the narrow way where the Holy Spirit continues to cleanse and purify us in order to walk into the kingdom of God. We are to walk the best way we know; however, in doing that we make mistakes – we still sin. Admit it because you know exactly what I am writing about. When we sin, we ask for forgiveness and God cleanses us. Then we do our best to walk as He desire.

 

Sin creates a barrier between God and us. Confession and the true desire to not do so again (repentance) is necessary in our relationship with the Lord. Do you understand that the heart of this promise is God’s promise that He loves you so much and nothing can separate you from Him – except sin. So, He promises to forgive you when you come to Him in true repentance, asking Him to forgive you. “He is faithful” to His people. He knows we are weak and prone to give into temptations and the old sin nature. He tells us He will forgive us when we confess. What He has promised he will do! It is against His nature to say He will do something and then not do it. To say He forgives and cleanses is not just some religious gibberish; it is a truth, a promise we can be guaranteed will happen, based on who God is.

 

We confess our sins because we are flawed people living in a terribly flawed world. When we confess, we are laying our poor choice of words, are sinful actions, our impure thoughts, our pride and arrogance, our self-centered desires, and our lack of trust at the foot of the cross and asking the God of mercy and grace to forgive and change us in order to be more like Him.  It is a deliberate choice on our part asking to walk closer to and be more like the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Do not fear confessing your sins to Him. Do not try to cover up your sins. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God when they ate from the forbidden tree. God knew what they did and knew where they were hiding. He knows our thoughts, hears our words, and sees the actions we make. He does not want to bring down wrath. No, He wants us to confess our sins and experience the spiritual freedom only Jesus Christ can as he removes anything and everything that hinders His people from enjoying His presence and His promises.

 

Is there anything you need to confess to Him in order to walk more closely with Him right now? Our Father in heaven wants to have nothing come between you and His love. Go ahead and take a few minutes to thank Him for His love and the promise He has made to forgive and cleanse you of all unrighteousness when you confess the sin(s) you have committed. Go ahead, right now!