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Confession Leads To Freedom From Sin
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).
I have talked with many people over the years who feel they have either committed an unforgivable sin in their past or are struggling with sin in the present. With regards to past “unforgivable” sins, the unpardonable sin is not some particularly grievous sin committed by a Christian before or after accepting Christ, nor is it thinking or saying something terrible about the Holy Spirit. Rather, it is deliberately resisting the Holy Spirit’s witness and invitation to turn to Him until death ends all opportunity. I believe that if you reject Jesus until your last day but on that last day “you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). Your declaration must be sincere, and God knows what is in our hearts.
God understands that we are all struggling with sin. God not only wants the mistakes we’ve made in the past, He wants the ones we’re making in the present. Yours may be different than mine, but we all fall short of His glory and righteousness. Are you drinking too much? Are you unfaithful in marriage? Do you struggle with an immoral lifestyle? Regardless of the sin, 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
The good news is the Good News! “Nothing can separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:38). In the Old Testament, the forgiveness of sin required blood, often in the form of a burnt offering. Today, sin still requires blood, and that debt has been paid in full by blood, the blood of Jesus. His blood makes us holy! “But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22).
Freedom from sin begins with confession. The lack of forgiveness brings shame, loneliness, and death. Freedom from sin ends with Jesus. After confession, we repent and turn away from the sin and toward He who was without sin. Romans 6:23 speaks to the duality of sin and life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
So, start with your bad moments. And while you’re there, give God your mad moments. There’s an old story about a man that was bitten by a dog, and when he learned the dog had rabies, he started to write. The doctor said, “There’s no need for you to make a will—you’ll be fine.” “Oh, I’m not making a will,” he said. “I’m making a list of all the people I want to bite.” God wants that list, but He wants you to leave it at the cross.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the free gift of victory over sin and death as provided through Jesus. Amen.
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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