Devotion, 9/25/2020, Friday, If we confess…

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).

Yesterday’s devotion was about obedience. Today we reflect on disobedience. What do we do when we know we have disobeyed God? John is clear. We do fall into sin. If we claim to be sin-free, we are deceived. Those who are redeemed strive for obedience, but disobedience rears its ugly head. John tells us not to deceive ourselves and pretend we did not sin, or pass off our sins as of no importance.

The solution to the problem of ongoing sin is in the word “confess.” The Greek word (homologeo) means literally to speak the same thing. God knows what constitutes sin. When we confess our sins, we agree with God and say the same thing He says. We admit, acknowledge, declare that we have disobeyed the God who loves us and has redeemed us. We not only admit we have done wrong; we also declare our intention to turn away from that particular sin.

If we try to deny our sin, or act as if our acts of disobedience are unimportant, we submit ourselves to the judgment and discipline of God. The better course is to confess, receiving God’s forgiveness and His cleansing power. He can justly forgive us because Jesus bore our sins on the cross. We can depend upon His justice,

Christians are committed to obedience, and part of obedience is to confess our disobedience. Those who do so will find that God faithfully and justly forgives.

Gracious God, I desire to live a faithful life. I know I fall short of that lofty ideal. When I stray from Your will, grant me the grace to admit it, to confess to You my sin. Thank You for Your gracious promise to forgive in response to my honest confession, I pray in the wonderful name of Jesus, my redeemer, Amen.