Forgiven and Cleansed

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

This is a well-known verse and a gold mine of truth!  And it’s a good one to commit to memory.

I was thinking about this verse, and shared from it at Communion last Sunday at our church, O2 Church, Tauranga (www.o2church.org.nz).  As is a characteristic of God’s Word, it reveals much for us today.

The author is John the Apostle, the son of Zebedee, and author of the Book of John and The Revelation.  He was the first cousin of Jesus (his mother was Salome, a sister of Mary), he was a fisherman, and one of Jesus’ inner circle (together with James and Peter).  He was the disciple whom Jesus loved. John 13:23. NIV.

Here’s some thoughts.

confess our sins – that’s our part.

To confess – means to say the same thing about sin as God does, to acknowledge before God, to ourselves, and to others His perspective about sin.  It is agreeing with God as to what sin is, its effect and significance.  We affirm our sinfulness by confessing our sins.

Sin separates us from God, but we can be free of that separation, by regarding our sin in the same way God does.

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Proverbs 28:13. NKJV.

The word confesses is the Hebrew word yadah.  It includes the meaning of to cast down, and to throw down.  Surely that what we should and want to do about our sin.  To cast it down, throw it away from ourselves.  Those who confess their sins and forsake them are linked to God.

Let’s do our part.  Let’s acknowledge what the Bible calls sin, is sin, eradicate it from our lives, let it go, cast it down, confess it, leave it at the foot of the Cross, and receive forgiveness for it.

He is faithful and just – this is who God is.

God is faithful to His own nature.  God is faithful to His promises; everywhere He promises forgiveness to His children.  One of the most common promises in God’s Word is His promise to forgive His children.  (See 2 Peter 3:9, Acts 17:30, Romans 2:4, 1 John 4:10, Psalm 38:18, 86:5, 103:3, 12, 130:3-4, Isaiah 43:25, 54:8, 55:7, Jeremiah 33:8-9).

We confess our sins to God, because He alone is the One who can forgive, and free us from its power.

God being just, points to the Cross.  God cannot forgive without a price paid.  There needs to be an exchange.  Jesus is that exchange.

God is love; that’s who He is.  God is mercy; that’s who He is.  God is grace; that’s who He is.

But God is also a just God.

… And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Saviour; There is none besides Me. Isaiah 45:21. NKJV. (Emphasis added).

Just – (a) Guided by truth, reason, justice and fairness.  (b) Done or made according to principle; equitable, proper.  (c) Based on right; rightful; lawful.  (d) In keeping with truth or fact; true, correct.  (www.dictionary.com).

God does what is lawful, righteous, right; because He’s just.

But God, in Christ, is a God of mercy.  Mercy; is not getting what we do deserve.  God is also a God full of grace.  Grace; is getting what we don’t deserve.

Our sins made us deserving of suffering the consequences of our sin; the worst of which is forever separated from God.  But, because of His love for us and the offering of Jesus Christ on the Cross, in exchange we don’t receive what we deserved, AND, we do receive what we don’t deserve, forgiveness, freedom, and cleansing.

forgives us our sins, cleanses from all unrighteousness – this is what He does.

God only does stuff because of who He is.  God does stuff from who He is.  He is faithful, just, right, He is love, mercy, and grace.

Salvation an event and a process.    

• The event.   When we confess our sins God forgives.  Totally.  Completely.  There is a cancellation of debts, a dismissal of all charges against us.  We are free of sin.  Our standing with God is restored.  We are in communion with Him.
• The process.   We receive cleansing from the pollution of sin, the stain of sin, to live a holy life.  Our behaviour changes.  Holiness possible.  It’s a process.

If you rob a bank, you can either own up, or get caught.  If you repent and ask God to forgive you, He will.  He forgives.  But the consequences of that sin, could be jail.

Many people get confused on this point.  They ask God to forgive them their sins, and they sense they are forgiven, and God assures them they are.  However, because sin has consequences, they feel the jail they’re in means they are not forgiven.  But they are!  It’s just that for a time the consequences of that sin work themselves out.  Over time, they diminish, and we are cleansed from them.

When we trust God, repent of sins, confessing them to the Lord, He forgives!  Our standing and position before God is assured and secured.  Then, as we also trust Him and the power of Christ’s blood we are cleansed, purified, and made more holy.  The inward principle (forgiveness) is expressed in outward behaviour.  We live a more mature life growing in Christ-likeness.

It’s all available in Him.  Jesus died to free us from the grip and power of sin.  He also died and shed His blood to cleanse us from the stains, and consequences of sin.

What a Saviour!  Jesus, the offering for our sin, and the means of our cleansing.  Mercy is in Jesus!  Grace is in Jesus!  Forgiveness is in Jesus!  Cleansing is in Jesus!

Is there a sin you’re battling with?  Are there some consequences of sins from your past that are frustrating your progress?  Acknowledge them to the Lord and know that God forgives!  Totally.  Fully.  Nothing left unforgiven.  Know also that there is ongoing cleansing available in Christ.

Claim the promise of this verse, 1 John 1:9.  Receive and experience the forgiveness of the Saviour.  Receive and experience the cleansing from past mistakes and sins.

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. 1 John 1:9. (Amplified Version).

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36. NLT.