God you said ….
“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 (KJV)
As important as confession is, few Christians understand its power and relevance. It’s no wonder we tend to feel burdened and overwhelmed with life. It’s no wonder we tend to feel separated from God or as we often say “can’t feel his presence”.
We struggle with being righteous, simply meaning, doing the right things according to God’s word. We all make good choices and we all make not so good choices. When we choose our own way, we are not choosing God’s way, which in turn becomes a not so good choice. In essence, we miss the mark, and that is sin.
God in his graciousness provides a way for us to stay in relationship with Him, or to get back in relationship when we miss the mark. This provision gives us a way to be free from the burden of sin. This provision is confession. Confess means to say the same thing as another. God knows when we mess up, so confession is to agree with God. It is so simple, and yet so difficult. Simple because all we need to do is admit to God about our mess ups and ask him to forgive us.
Pride and ignorance make it very difficult to admit wrong. He says, “IF” which means we have an obligation to God before He can fulfill his word. God knows when we lie, or ignore His voice; our responsibility is to call it like God sees it: “I lied, I ignored your voice” then you ask Him to forgive you. Forgiveness and cleansing go hand in hand. When God forgives, He cleans you with the blood of Jesus and He does not see your sin only the blood. This in turn puts your relationship with God back on the right track. The burden of sin is no longer and you sense Gods presence once again.
Forgiveness comes only after we confess (call it like God sees it) not before.
Rosita
