But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:9
1 John 1:9 is about the assurance of God's forgiveness when we confess our sins to Him. When we do that, we can claim the promise that God is faithful and just to forgive. He is faithful in the sense that He has promised to forgive and will abide by His promise. He is just to forgive because He has found a righteous basis for forgiveness in the substitutionary work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. And not only does He guarantee to forgive, but also to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Breakdown of key points:
Confession: We must acknowledge our sins to God. This involves admitting our failures and shortcomings to Him.
God's faithfulness: God is faithful to His promises. He has promised to forgive those who confess their sins. So when we confess, we can trust that He will forgive us.
God's justice: God is just and righteous. It is right for Him to forgive our sins when we confess them, because Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. So God's forgiveness is both just and merciful.
Forgiveness and cleansing: When we confess, God not only forgives us, but also cleanses us from the guilt and stain of sin. We are made right with Him and can have fellowship with Him.
When we confess our sins, we must believe, on the authority of the word of God, that He forgives us. And if He forgives us, we must be willing to forgive ourselves.
—Faith
Prayer of the Day
Dear God, I come before you today with a humble and contrite heart, acknowledging my faults and shortcomings. I confess that I have made mistakes and fallen short of your perfect standard. I am ashamed of my sins and feel hypocritical for not letting go of them, even though you have already cleansed me.
I pray for the courage to confess my sins to you and seek your forgiveness. Please help me overcome the shame and embarrassment that often prevents me from being honest with you. Strengthen me through your Holy Spirit to have the boldness to lay bare my heart before you.
Grant me a repentant spirit that truly turns away from my sins and strives to live a life pleasing to you. Mortify my sinful lusts and affections, and produce in me the fruits of righteousness and innocence that are well-pleasing in your sight.
I know that you are a God of mercy and compassion, slow to anger and abounding in love. So I trust in your promise to forgive me when I confess my sins to you. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.