Confess – Repent – Be Forgiven – Enjoy Grace

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

God’s grace is amazing as the song – Amazing Grace – records (isn’t that one of our favorite older hymns?). One of the best promises in the Bible – IMHO (in my humble opinion) – is this one about the forgiveness of sins. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. Today’s passage speaks of God’s desire to forgive. 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. We are called to confess our sins and repent. If we do we are told we will be forgiven and if we are forgiven we will receive grace.

Most of us have experienced deals before – like if you do something – I will do something. As children I remember getting notes passed in school – with if you like me – I will like you. As adults we learn that if we work at a certain job and do a good job – the boss will pay us a certain paycheck. I’m sure we can all come up with if you I will life experiences. We have one in today’s passage when we’re told if we confess our sins – He will forgive our sins.

In my personal study time I have been focusing on my sin and God’s forgiveness. I’m studying confession and repentance. I will also look at what forgiveness looks like – being healed and made whole.

I’m a third generation pastor – my father and my grandfather were both Methodist pastors. My nephew is a fourth generation Methodist (now United Methodist) pastor. On my my son-in-laws is a pastor as well. Our family has long stood on the Word of God – and the Word is filled with a call to confess and repent – while waiting for the promised forgiveness.

In the near future we will have a sermon series on forgiveness – on grace. It is amazing – it is so sweet. All next week I will focus on grace in the devotional thoughts I publish on this blog page. Our nation – the USA – needs confession and repentance as we read in the Bible – 2 Chronicles 7:14 – if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. God is too big to fit into any box or category we wish to place Him. We are called to conform to His pattern rather than the world’s pattern – in today’s passage – that means to confess – to humble ourselves and come to God for forgiveness.

If we truly seek after Christ and strive to be like Him – with our whole being – minds – souls – and bodies – we will be welcomed by Christ – and forgiven when we fail. We are called to love God with our all – Luke 10:27 – He answered, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.