If there is one thing we can take to the bank, it’s that our God is faithful and just to forgive our sin (see 1 John 1:9 and 1 John 2:1-2)!
I am so very thankful that we serve a “God of second chances” – no matter how many second chances we require! Even as born again believers washed in the blood of Jesus and professing faith in Jesus as Savior, our souls (i.e., our mind, will and emotions) are being perfected (brought to maturity in Christ) throughout our lives as part of the process of sanctification and sometimes, even believers transgress the will of God. If we say otherwise, we are liars (see 1 John 1:7-8)!
Praise God that the Father loves us deeply and is not looking for some “excuse” to condemn us – certainly not! In Christ, the Father made a way for us to become new creations and the righteousness of God (see John 3:16-17 and 2 Corinthians 5:21), with our sin washed away, and with the Holy Spirit living within us to guide and strengthen us in all matters of life (see 2 Peter 1:3).
When we fall short of the glory of God and sin, whether by commission or omission, or even when we knew better but did “it” anyway, our genuine, heartfelt confession of sin restores our soul, reaffirms the love, power and beauty of our Savior, and gives us the assurance that our faith is not misplaced and that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross of Calvary was, in fact, the once-and-for-all sacrifice (propitiation) for sin that brought us into right standing with the Father! Our confession does not “put Jesus back on the cross” or mean that God is looking for an “excuse” for us to “lose our salvation!”
Apostle John tells us that we are not to love the world or the things in the world, because the things of the world – including sexual lust, improper glances or thoughts, and pride in our own worldly accomplishments – are not of God, but are of the world (see 1 John 2:15-17). As believers, we are children of God who live in the world, but we are no longer of the world (see John 1:12)!
My brothers and sisters, I submit that it is good to feel godly sorrow, which leads to true repentance, forgiveness and a thankful heart – not such that it simply becomes a daily “ritual” devoid of significant meaning or that we approach confession in a manner that calls into question if we really believe that Christ died upon the cross to wash away our sin once-and-for-all, but because it is evidence of a humble spirit that is submitted to Christ. Confession of sin demonstrates our acknowledgement of who Christ is in our lives, and our desire to become more like Jesus every day (sanctification) until we are called to our heavenly home.
Pray always. Repent when necessary. Give thanks to God continually. Then, keep moving forward! Although we should never SEEK to sin, we can prayerfully use past sin as one way to witness and minister to others who may not yet know Jesus or who may be hurting because of sin and need to know the good news about God’s love, forgiveness, salvation, mercy, peace, and the abundant and joyful life we have in Christ Jesus!
Never forget that we overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony (see Revelation 12:10-11). Amen!
Here are the above-referenced scriptures:
1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 2:1-2 (NKJV)
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
1 John 1:7-8 (NKJV)
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves [emphasis mine], and the truth is not in us.”
John 3:16-17 (NKJV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world [emphasis mine], but that the world through Him might be saved.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [Christ].”
2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
“…His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…”.
1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)
Do Not Love the World
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
John 1:12 (NKJV)
“But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name…”.
Revelation 12:10-11 (NKJV)
We Overcome the Evil One by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of Our Testimony
“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘[n]ow salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony [emphasis mine], and they did not love their lives to the death.’”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
