1 John 1: 9 – 10
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his Word is not in us.
Applying God’s Word for today: Why we should confess our sins.
Have you ever wondered why there are so many challenges in the world? You look at the news and see the depravity of people; looking back at history, you see how people devise cruel ways to treat one another. Consider that all our sins are born of our thoughts; they come from our hearts.
Governments are established to limit the evil people can do by exacting punishments to curb people’s actions. While people know what is right and wrong, they still need to be curbed because they lack faith. Faith not only guides our actions but also leads us to recognize our need for God’s grace and love. Without faith, people lack the understanding to seek forgiveness.
By faith, we recognize our sins; no one is without sin. John writes, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). On this side of heaven, we will all sin; it begins in our thoughts and manifests in our words and actions. We are not different from the rest of the world in that we don’t sin. What makes the difference is recognizing our sins and bringing them before our Lord—we confess our sins. Is there an area in your life where you have struggled to admit your sins and seek forgiveness? God’s promise, recorded by John, applies to you today.
For Jesus’ sake, he suffered the punishment for our sins almost 2,000 years ago, bearing our punishment on the cross. In our baptisms, we can be confident in the forgiveness that is ours. Paul tells us that our baptisms link us to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus is faithful. Because he already suffered for our sins and removed them on the cross, we have forgiveness for all our unrighteousness. Your forgiveness is a gift from God that comes to you by faith in Jesus; share this gift with someone who doesn’t know Him.
Dear Lord Jesus, Your forgiveness of our sins is the key to salvation; it unlocks the gates of heaven. By faith alone, we know and trust that You suffered on the cross to pay our sin debt. Grant us the peace of forgiveness that only You can give. Please send the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith so that we know with confidence we are restored to our heavenly Father. Thank you for always being faithful to us and for granting us our salvation. Amen.
God’s word tells us of His love for us. Jesus came to suffer the cross so that we would be forgiven for every sin. Faith receives His gift of love, and it is in forgiveness that you are united and restored to God; this is your salvation. Take time to confess and receive His forgiveness.