If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. – 1 John 1:9
An old country preacher once said pessimistically, “When you become a Christian you are at the end of your problems… the front end.” For some, the Christian life may indeed be a daily struggle. The apostle Paul stated in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Humans are vulnerable. When God created you in His image, He gave you the capacity for free moral agency. That is something you do not lose just because you come to faith in Christ. The personal volition that you had before you were saved remains.
However, the Lord has provided a remedy for the wrongs you commit. Today’s verse provides the key, “If we confess our sins.” A great hindrance to spiritual growth is unconfessed sin. Isaiah 59:1-2 says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he does not hear.” Thankfully, as Paul outlines in Romans, God is for you. He is waiting to hear from you, faithful to His Word, and ready to forgive.
Today, as you confess anything you have not acknowledged to God, turn your heart, mind, and will over to the Lord in prayer. The righteousness of God is offered to you through the Messiah and He is able to beautifully transform your life to glorify Him. Intercede also for the nation’s leaders to recognize their need for forgiveness and transformation by a faithful God.
Today’s Verse: 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:26-31, 37-39
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
