THE VERSE EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW

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


OBSERVATON:

I realize many verses could apply to the title of this devotional, but I want us to grasp the powerful truth of this verse. 

Way too many believers are living under a black cloud of condemnation. They have made mistakes, sinned, and messed things up. But there is a bigger issue at stake. The bigger issue is not doing what needs to happen to live free from the sin and the condemnation. 

So many believers resort to trying to live their Christian life "under the radar" from God. They are not away from Him, but they are not walking close due to a sense of shame and condemnation. 

Therefore, I am grateful for this verse. It tells us what to do and then what God will do.   

Confess our sins. This is simply owning what we have done and confessing this before the Lord. Please note that we can go directly to the Lord to confess our sins; we do not have to confess them before men. The Lord is the One who forgives us, so we go to Him.   

If you have sinned against another person, it is appropriate to go to them and ask for forgiveness. But even if they do not forgive you, God will.   

He is faithful and just to forgive us. When we confess our sins is not when God finds out about them. It is when we get rid of them.   

He is One we can trust to do just what He said. Faithful and just means we do not have to wonder if He forgave us. Faithful and just means we can take every sin to Him, big or small. Faithful and just means we can live free and forgiven. 

And He will cleanse us of all unrighteousness. All means all. So, we confess out of a heart that is repentant, and He forgives and cleanses us.  

APPLICATION: 

Now here is an important part of this forgiveness. When we have confessed and received forgiveness, we do not wait to feel forgiven. Often people have felt convicted of their sin, and even though they have asked for forgiveness, they don't feel forgiven; they still feel bad.   

Once you have done what 1 John 1:9 says, then thank God for His forgiveness and cleansing regardless of how you feel. His word is a higher truth and spiritual reality than our feelings. 

PRAYER: 

Thank You, Lord, for the forgiveness You have made available for me. I receive.