If We Confess Our Sins
1 John 1:9 Lexham English Bible
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, so that he will forgive us our sins and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confess if the Greek word homologeō and it means to admit; confess . The question is: do we ever sin after we have come to walk with Jesus? The answer is yes. This letter John wrote was written to believers in Jesus. Earlier he writes that if we say we do not have sin, we deceive ourselves. What God desires from all of us is intimacy. For intimacy to be developed it requires trust and vulnerability. If you ever observe a strong marriage one of the things you will find is that deep intimacy has been developed between husband and wife because of trust and vulnerability.
It is foolish to try to hide anything from God. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, when they heard God walking in the garden, they went and hid. Many today though they are followers of Jesus, at times are trying to hide things from God. God has given us a promise here in His word. If we will confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us.
The word sin is the Greek word hamartia and it means sin, an act of wrongdoing, guilt. A sinful act, i.e., a moral violation or transgression of divine command, or the state of guilt that results from sin and wrongdoing. When we have sinned, we have missed the mark. The mark is the righteousness of God. God’s righteousness is revealed in His law. The purpose of God’s law was not to make men holy or to save them. The purpose of the law is to reveal what sin is and show humanity their need for a savior. Because if we break one jot or tittle of the law, we break the entire thing.
All of us have sinned and at some point, on this earth until we go home to be with Jesus, we will sin again. But there is a difference between struggling with sin or giving into sin periodically and living in sin and rebellion. There are those today who live in lifestyles contrary to God’s word. They live in rebellion against God yet will claim they love God and He loves them and they are good. They have created an image of Jesus in their own mind and understanding that is very different from biblical truth.
But a true sign that we are a child of God is the desire to live in righteousness. The desire to please and honor Christ in all things. When we do sin, we don’t lose our salvation. I was at a church for a period of time where every time a salvation call was given the same woman came forward to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. She had a wrong understanding of salvation and a wrong understanding of God’s grace.
When we sin, we break fellowship and intimacy with the Lord. We grieve the Holy Spirit. But the way we restore fellowship and intimacy with through confession unto the Lord of our sin. We don’t need to run to a priest for confession because there is only one mediator between God and man and that is Jesus Christ.
The word faithful is the Greek word pistos and it means trustworthy, faithful; trusting, believing. Describes a person or thing as characterized by trustworthiness or belief. The word just is the Greek word dikaios and it means just, correct, righteous, innocent. The characteristic of following God’s law. Faithful and just describes the character and nature of Yahweh. He is trustworthy, faithful, and will never fail us. He is faithful to His word and every promise. Even if our own hearts condemn us, He never will. He is just, correct, righteous, and without sin or wickedness. He is perfect and must fully and rightly deal with sin. But in His love and mercy He has sent forth His Son to take the full measure of wrath and punishment that we deserve.
That is what Calvary is. It is a picture of the full measure of His wrath poured out on Jesus so we can understand truly how much He loves us. If there is ever a time in our lives when the devil tries to convince us we are condemn, it is a lie. For Jesus paid it all so the precious forgiveness and mercy of God that is available only in Jesus can be available to all who will humble themselves and receive. It is available to all who will call on the name of Jesus and be saved.
God almighty will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He will forgive us. Forgive in the Greek is aphiēmi and it means to leave, abandon. Refers to leaving or abandoning a place, a person, or a thing, including a belief. God has abandoned our sin. He has cast it as far as the east is from the west. It is washed way and no longer exist. To dwell on it is to dwell on something that no longer exist. The word cleanse in the Greek is katharizō and it means to cleanse, purify. To cleanse someone from impurity, usually leprosy. Through confessing our sins to God we have been purified and we have been washed clean. Today is a brand-new day in Jesus.
The word of God tells us that if anyone be in Christ, they are a brand new creation. Old things have passed away, brand new things have come. In Christ Jesus all things are made new. Stop dwelling on the past. Stop hiding things from God. Simply come to God vulnerable and confess your sin. Choose to live for Him. Choose to rely on His grace. Choose to abide in Him. Stop justifying sin and wickedness and desire that your life would simply be used to glorify Him daily.
Prayer
Father search my heart. If there is any wicked way within me please expose it. Father forgive me of any sin. Wash me clean. I desire greater intimacy with you. I desire to know your heart and know your voice. Father change me. Change my desires to align with your will. Father may I live for you by your grace and your power. Jesus thank you for dying for me. Thank you for taking the punishment and wrath I deserve. Thank you Holy Spirit for your guidance and leading. Lead me into all truth and may the righteousness of Jesus be manifested in my life. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
Comments