1 John 1:8-10
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us (1 John 1:8;10).”
The apostle Paul put it this way (Romans 3:10-12):
“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.’”
And what are the wages of our sin? Death, both physical and spiritual (Romans 6:23).
The consequence of our sin is that we become separated from the love and life of God now, and we risk being subject to His divine, just wrath, forever.
“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (Romans 7:24)”
The apostle John provides the answer (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.”
Beloved, are you cleansed by the blood of the Lamb?
If so, then confess your sins to God, be cleansed, and be restored into fellowship with Him. If not, then confess your sins, NOW, and you shall be forgiven, and saved from the wrath that is to come!
But what exactly is confession?
I think that it contains at least four basic elements:
· Acknowledgement– (1) of the sin, that thing that was thought, felt, said or done, that violates the law or perfect will of God, (2) that God and His law are just, and (3) that we merit punishment.
· Penitence - a feeling of sorrow or remorse for the sin.
- Supplication – that is, petitioning of the Lord our Judge for forgiveness, calling upon His mercy, which is new every morning, for great is His faithfulness.
· Thanksgiving– thanking God for His love, His law, His justice, His mercy, His forgiveness, His being.
Ultimately, confession should lead naturally to repentance. That is:
· Repentance – a commitment to “turn away” from the sin and to seek to be obedient to God in this area of temptation henceforth.
Beloved, are you being wholly transparent before God and His body? Is there something that you’re hiding? Is there something that you need to confess to God?
