Confession and Our Forgiveness

Confession and Our Forgiveness

1 John 1:5-10

A common misconception among believers is that our heavenly Father – a loving, caring heavenly Father – is just waiting to pounce on us when we don’t cross our moral T’s or dot our virtuous I’s.

Though well-intentioned, this is not scriptural. The atoning, sacrificial death of Jesus Christ takes care of all of a believer’s sins – past, present, and future.

So what purpose does confession serve? It does not affect your position as His child. That, too, was sealed at salvation. However, confession affects your intimacy with God, the daily communication you have with Him that is vital to maintaining the Spirit-filled life. This is the “forgiveness” of 1 John 1:9.

There is nothing you did to warrant the forgiveness God extended through the death of His Son. There is nothing you can do to deserve His continual grace. However, through your confession, God releases you from the guilt of having sinned against Him.

The word confess simply means that you agree with God about your sin, and the release you experience upon confession comes because you have assumed responsibility for your actions and long to return to an unfettered daily walk.

The only cloud under which God wishes you to live is that of His unfailing, unmerited grace.

Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries