Creator, Father, King #339

If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

IMAGINE IF YOU WENT to visit some family members for a week and during the course of your visit, one of your cousins did the following to you:

• decided to nickname you “Captain Stinkypants”
• put worms in your cereal bowl
• kicked you in the shins ten times a day
• gave you a wet willy at the top of every hour
• asked you questions such as, “So what’s life like on Mars?” or “Is it true that the leaders of your planet are planning to attack Earth next summer?”
• put rocks in your pillow
• sang “Rock-a-bye Baby” to you—very loudly—each night at bedtime

This, of course, is a bit ridiculous. But can you imagine if all this happened and your cousin never apologized or showed any remorse? That person would always remain your family member, but the relationship would be hindered, to say the least!

Confession and repentance are so important for the restoration of fellowship after we have sinned, both with other people and with God. That’s what today’s verse is driving at.

What’s It Mean?

Scripture is quite clear: initial salvation from our sins requires confession/repentance and faith in Jesus (Mark 1:15). But the ongoing life of a Christian should be marked by confession, as well. This doesn’t mean a believer can lose their salvation and needs to confess to “re-earn” it. Not at all. A Christian’s sins don’t alter his or her eternal position before God because of Christ’s finished work on the cross (Romans 8:28-39).

But sin can still temporarily strain fellowship. That’s why the principles of today’s verse are crucial. When you sin, truly confess it to the Lord—not with a perfunctory exclamation of, “Sorry,” but by naming your transgression, expressing genuine sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10), and asking God to help you grow in righteousness.

When you do this, a wonderful promise awaits: “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” For believers who have already experienced the justification from sin through Christ, this cleansing refers to the beautiful renewal of temporarily hindered fellowship that sin sometimes causes in our spiritual lives.

Aren’t you glad God is a God who faithfully forgives, cleanses, and deeply desires unhindered fellowship with his children?

Now What?

Don’t let unconfessed sin impede your relationships with God or others. Humble yourself and confess your sin today!

Did You Know?

Great examples of confession include Job 42:1-16; Psalm 51; Nehemiah 1; and Daniel 9:1-9.