(Continuation of my blog on 1 John 1:5-10 “The Christian’s New Relationship with Sin”)
The 9th verse teaches us that the cure is universally available and 100 percent effective. Any Christian can receive full forgiveness by confessing his sins. The word “confess” means “to say with” or “to say the same as.” In other words, God’s light shines into our lives (verses 5 – 7). We must not deny what it reveals (verses 8 and 10). Instead we say, “God, I see what You mean. I agree with You. I am a sinner. I have sinned. I need Your forgiveness.” It tells us we can depend upon His character which is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all the penalty and power of unrighteousness in our lives. So at the moment of confession, we are clean. There is also no limit on the number of times we can utilize the power of confession.
One of the greatest lines ever uttered in a movie is the one Tom Hanks said in Apollo 13 – “Houston, we have a problem.” No one thought when they watched the movie, “What a fool to have said that to Houston. He’d have been better off just to have solved the problem himself.” He needed help from Houston as we need grace and forgiveness from God. Our new relationship with sin begins with regularly admitting – “God, I have a problem. I have sinned again.” Then be specific with Him about the particular sin(s) and need for forgiveness.
