Confess!

Confess!

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 KJV

Context:

John the Beloved apostle writes these words, and he speaks from the place of personal experience. Check out the words he used in this chapter: that which we have heard, seen with our eyes, looked upon, our hands have handled, of the Word of life; we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was manifested unto us, that which we have seen and heard... And the personal experience was the very foundation of the things that John wrote. In all my speaking or writing, is there any personal experience of God in it? Can I say of a truth that my eyes have seen, hands have touched and ears heard of the great power and majesty of the God I have been called to follow and serve? 

It is that personal experience that sustains a man in the face of daunting challenges and uncertainties. Times will come when you are not sure about what to do or how to proceed. In those times, you draw on the grace and strength that your connection with God has sealed. He is a God who is never far away from those who have put their trust in Him. When I call, he promises to answer, and this is because of the work Jesus did on the cross. That is the start point for all who seek that personal experience. 

Message and Response:

Until a man has experienced the cross, he cannot experience Jesus. It was at the cross that the eternal problem of sin was dealt with decisively. It was not a stop-gap measure, good only for a season, like the sacrifices of bulls and goats were, but it was a once-and-for-time offer, but good for l eternity. By the cross, all men, irrespective of race, creed or colour can come into the saving grace of Jesus. 

Sin does not care who you were, into what family you were born, or the nature of the spoon in your mouth when you were born. Sin does not care what your circle of influence is or the value of your bank account balance. Sin wants to cause eternal separation between you and God so that both the devil and you can end up in the same place. That is why the devil will do all he can to keep you from the truth. He makes a man so unworthy that the man feels that there are some sins that God cannot forgive. Yes indeed, the sin against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven but is that not for people who already know him and know what he hates but they blaspheme his name anyway? For those who are yet to know him, the offer of salvation is free.

Don't let the devil keep you from that which can seal eternal life for you. Don't let the devil's lies about your state fool you into either complacency or worthlessness. Both extremes are dangerous. The God who offers salvation for free also asks me to come to him just as I am, so that I can get all that he promises. His promises are forgiveness from sin and a cleansing from all unrighteousness. The blood of Jesus is the channel by which these things are obtained. None of the things we mentioned earlier can secure these things for you. 

I have my role to play: to confess my sins; that God will not do for me. As an exercise of my freewill, I must realise my state and seek out God. God did not create robots, otherwise there would be no sin. He created people who would have the power to choose him, so they could serve and worship him willingly, not out of a sense of compulsion or duty. 

And when I have chosen God of my own freewill, he also has a role to play: his nature is to be just and faithful, because his name and reputation are at stake. If I play my part, God will definitely play his part. He cannot and does not lie, as it is his nature to be truthful. What he called sin when Adam lived is still what he called sin in our own times now. The standard has not changed, and if I will get all of him, I must seek all of him. I cannot pick and choose that which makes me comfortable; I must seek for and take hold of all of God, so that I can be all that He wants me to be. 

Of course, if I am cleansed from sin, I have eternal life: the life of God made available to me in Christ Jesus. And when I have life, nothing of earth is more important and nothing of earth can take that eternal life from me. So, have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Have you laid your life bare before him, so he can do the work of redemption and sanctification only he can do? Your eternity will be glad you did. His time of favour is here.