1 John 1:9 - ANOTHER CHANCE.
1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Hebrews 11, the Heroes Hall of Faith,
is a record of great men and women who trusted
God. And the thing they had in common was that
all of them put their faith into action. But
what we wont find in this chapter is a record
of their mistakes.
For example, here are a few verses about
Moses: It was by faith that Moses left the land
of Egypt, not fearing the kings anger. He
kept right on going because he kept his eyes on
the one who is invisible. It was by faith that
Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the
Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so
that the angel of death would not kill their
firstborn sons (verses 27"28 NLT).
So where is the story of when Moses
killed the Egyptian? Where is the story of him
losing his temper and breaking the commandments of
God? Where is the story of Moses hitting the rock
instead of speaking to it as God told him to?
Yes, Moses stumbled and fell. But that
wasnt the end of his story.
Although God didnt allow Moses to lead
the Israelites into the Promised Land, Moses
ultimately made it there. The Bible tells us that when
Jesus was transfigured, two people were with Him
in addition to Peter, James, and John. Those
people were Elijah and Moses (see Matthew 17:3).
So in effect, Moses eventually made it to
the Promised Land.
Like Moses, maybe youve messed up.
Maybe youve crossed the line and said or did
something that youre ashamed of. Heres the good
news: God gives second chances.
The Bible says that 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 NKJV). Its not the end of
your story. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
All people are sinners by nature and by
practice. At conversion all our sins are forgiven -
past, present, and future. Yet even after we
become Christians, we still sin and still need to
confess. This kind of confession is not offered to
gain God's acceptance, but to remove the barrier
to fellowship that our sin has put between us
and him. It is difficult, however, for many
people to admit their faults and shortcomings, even
to God. It takes humility and honesty to
recognize our weaknesses, and most of us would rather
pretend that we are strong. But we need not fear
revealing our sins to God - he knows them already. He
will not push us away, no matter what we've done.
Instead he will draw us to himself.
True confession also involves a
commitment not to continue in sin. We wouldn't be
genuinely confessing our sins to God if we planned to
commit them again and just wanted temporary
forgiveness. We should also pray for strength to defeat
temptation the next time we face it. [Life Application
SB]
Through Jesus Christ, God's saving power is
linked with his creative power - the power that
created and sustains the universe is the very power
that removes our sin and makes us into new
creations. What a mistake to think that God is unable
to forgive us. No sin is too big for the Ruler
of the universe to handle. He can and will
forgive us when we come to him through his Son. Look
to Jesus Christ, your Creator and Savior, to
forgive your sins, give you a new life, and show you
how to live by his example and teachings. [One
Year NLT SB re Heb. 1:1-3]
Whenever we are brokenhearted and
genuinely humbled by the reality of our sin, God will
have compassion on us and forgive us. Sometimes
in our pride, though, we think that not even
God can forgive us. Know that such thoughts are
the enemy's lies, and counter them with the
truth of Scripture. The truth of 1 John 1:8-9 is a
powerful weapon when Satan whispers in your ear that
you've committed the unforgivable.
Also know that, when you've repented of
your sin and received God's gracious forgiveness,
the outcome is a new beginning, a conspicuous
change in the direction of your life, the Lord's
blessing rather than His judgment, and joy. The
result of repentance is always amazing! [Being
Still With God Every Day by Henry Blackaby re Joel
2:12, 18]
CLOSING THOUGHT
My husband and I recently went on a
guided fishing trip. After eight hours out on the
water, we were famished, having had no food since
our predawn doughnuts. One man familiar with the
area suggested a restaurant. But first, we had to
clean up - really clean up. Not knowing the boat
would travel at forty-five mph for long distances,
I had left my hair loose. Now it was a mass of
tangles. My clothes were dirty and soaked in sweat.
My legs had been splattered by bits of yucky
stuff when our guide dressed the fish with an
electric tool. After we showered and changed clothes
we met our friends in the hotel lobby. One of
the wives commented, Yall clean up good."
Some people think they have to "clean up"
before they can have a relationship with Jesus. I'm
so thankful that's not the case. He extends His
forgiveness, mercy, and grace to anyone willing to accept
them. Once we admit our need for a Savior, Jesus
goes to work cleansing us from the inside out. He
washes away the penalty for our sin so that we can
receive eternal life. Then, He begins transforming
our thoughts, attitudes, and behavior so that we
can reflect His character.
This transformation is a lifelong
process. At times we still get dirty living in a
sin-marred world. But that's no reason to avoid Jesus,
allowing guilt or shame to hinder our fellowship with
Him. He has given us a wonderful promise in 1
John 1:9: "But if we confess our sins to him, he
can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse
us from every wrong." (TLB) Whenever we slip
up, Jesus stands ready to give us a fresh start.
If we ask Him, He will do what we cannot do for
ourselves: clean us up completely. by Dianne Neal
Matthews
Faith Step: Prayerfully examine your
heart for anything you need Jesus to clean up.
Meditate on 1 John 1:9 and thank Him for His promise
to purify you. [Mornings With Jesus 2018
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan re Psalm 51:2]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Don't be afraid to face your sins. Except
for Me, there has never been a sinless person.
If you claim to be without sin, you deceive
yourself and evade the truth. It's actually quite
freeing to confess your sins, knowing that I will
forgive you and purify you from all unrighteousness.
The good news is that I have redeemed you - paid
the full penalty for all your sins. When you
confess your wrongdoings, you are aligning yourself
with the truth. Since I Myself am the Truth, your
confession draws you closer to Me. It also sets you
free from nagging guilt feelings.
When you realize you have sinned in your
thoughts, words, or actions, admit it immediately.
Your confession need not be lengthy or eloquent.
It can be as simple as: "Forgive me and cleanse
me, Lord." I have already done the hard part -
dying on the cross for your sins. Your part is to
live in the Light of the Truth. I, your Savior,
am the Light of the world. (1Jo. 1:8, 9; John
14;6; 8:32) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
1 John 1:9 - Confession Brings Forgiveness
and Cleansing.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170524-1720.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
