Find true forgiveness through true confession.
1 John 1:8-10 (NIV)
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
Listen to passage & devotional:
Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 21: The Atonement
We believe
that Jesus Christ is a high priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek—
made such by an oath—
and that he presented himself
in our name
before his Father,
to appease his wrath
with full satisfaction
by offering himself
on the tree of the cross
and pouring out his precious blood
for the cleansing of our sins,
as the prophets had predicted.
So he paid back
what he had not stolen,
and he suffered—
the “just for the unjust,”
in both his body and his soul—
in such a way that
when he senses the horrible punishment
required by our sins
his sweat became like “big drops of blood
falling on the ground.”
He cried, “My God, my God,
why have you abandoned me?”
And he endured all this for the forgiveness of our sins.
Summary
How often do you think about your need for a Savior? How often do you think about your sins? The Apostle John is quite clear in what we need to do to receive God’s grace. In order to be forgiven, we must confess our sins.
When you confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive you your sins. There is no greater promise anywhere. God’s promise is true, and it is amazing. It is life changing. When you confess your sins, God will forgive you your sins. You are then given new life in Jesus Christ.
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, you can be purified from all unrighteousness. Truly, your sins can be forgiven!
Dig Deeper
As we have seen this week, Jesus’ sacrifice was necessary for our salvation. He is a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek who offered the sacrifice for our sins. It only needed to be offered once because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He offered up his life as ransom to pay the debt of our sin. A debt that he did not owe, but paid willingly by the pouring out of his precious blood.
The pain he endured on our behalf is staggering. He endured physical pain through beatings, being nailed to the cross, and being pierced. He endured mental anguish through betrayal by a friend, and abandonment by his disciples. He suffered the weight of our sin.
As our Confession says, “And he endured all this for the forgiveness of our sins.”
In order to receive this grace, confess your sins. Acknowledge that you needed Jesus to endure all of that so that you could be saved from your sins. Ask God for forgiveness, by confessing your sins, and you will be forgiven in Christ Jesus.
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Holy God, Lord of justice and grace;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: I confess that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Please forgive me of my sin;
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Colossians 3
