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)

Out of all the verses in the Bible, this one is one that I refer to more often than any other because I stand in constant need of His mercy and Forgiveness.

Yet, although I reference this verse (whether in thought or through the pages of my bible) often, I find it to be one of the most difficult scriptures for my Faith to Lay hold of.

One reason why it’s often difficult to lay hold of the promise this verse offers is because I often associate receiving God’s forgiveness with conditions that go beyond what this verse mentions.

In other words, “God will forgive me if I clean up the mess, run 10 laps around the block, and handout 100 meals to my neighbors…”
Anything to make me feel better about myself and alleviate the stain of guilt.

That’s called “works”; and if it were even remotely possible for me to receive God’s forgiveness based on anything that “I” could do, then the death of Christ would be meaningless for me.

The Good news is that Forgiveness is offered, and it’s not contingent upon MY works but upon God’s Promise.

All I have to do is meet the condition of Confessing my sin (freely admitting wrongdoing and saying the same thing that God says about it) and Trusting that God will do just what He says….. Forgive and cleanse.

I Don’t need to wait til I “Feel” forgiven. I only have to Believe the Promise.

His promises are not dependant upon what I do, but Who HE is and what He has already done (That’s why He is Just)…

He Faithful to Forgive.

If I can believe Him for provision, protection, wisdom, and strength, then I can certainly believe Him for my (continual) forgiveness..

I’ll leave you with this: “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

Father, help us to believe and trust you for our continual forgiveness and cleansing just as much as we trust you for anything else. We are Glad that every promise is based upon you, who, alone are Faithful.

May Grace Be With You,

Pastor Lowe