by Do you remember the spiritual relief you experienced at salvation? That day you knew without a doubt your sins had been washed away by the blood of Christ? Are you still experiencing that joy and relief of God’s forgiveness? Praise God, He made provision in Christ that born-again believers can enjoy continual cleansing of our sins. 1 John 1:9 was written for this purpose, instructing believers to routinely confess our sins, not for entrance into Heaven but that we find His joy in service upon this earth. How do we do this, how do we confess our sins? David gives us an outline in Psalm 51, after being found guilty of adultery with Bathsheba.
- David PLEADS for God’s Mercy (51:1-2)
- David ADMITS his Sin (51:3-4)
- David RECOGNIZES God’s Desire (51:5-6)
- David APPLIES God’s Desire (51:7-12)
- David VOWS his Service to God (51:13-19)
David’s is a comprehensive view of confessing our sins before God. However, we don’t have to follow a specific outline because God knows our hearts. 19 times we find the simple phrase, “I have sinned,” asserted by David more than once. In Luke 18:13-14, it was the simple words of confession, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” In Romans 8:26, it was humble “groanings which cannot be uttered.” Point is, the indwelling Spirit of God knows our heart better then we do, all we have to do is humbly open it up to Him.
1 John 1 was written “that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4). The question is, are you full of the joy of the Lord, have you confessed your sins to God today? 1 John 1:9 declares, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
God’s throne is one of judgment, but also mercy. We can be found with joy through the mercies of God when we walk in “the light of His countenance” (Psalm 89). This encompasses 1 John 1 if we are obedient to Hebrews 4:14-16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
