Consequences

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  – 1 John 1:9

The consequences of confession… it makes most people uneasy. In the legal sense, confessing a crime moves the process of justice from the evidence phase to the penalty phase. Many people, God followers included, quietly associate confession with punishment. However, for the Christian, the person trusting in Christ for salvation and relationship with God, it is completely the opposite.

Sin in your life blocks communion with God, stifling the joy and peace of His fellowship. Harboring sin eventually causes a spiritual cancer that will wreck your entire life; mind, body, and soul. Confession is the antidote. “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Mercy is God’s beautiful and gracious gift to the offender but it doesn’t stop there. After mercy is applied, the work of Jesus Christ brings cleansing and restoration. “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). The consequences of confession in the Kingdom of God are amazing; remission of sin and restoration of relationship.

As a nation, America has sins to confess, but one person cannot account for them all. However, as each individual takes personal responsibility for his or her spiritual health, it WILL play out in the overall culture. Today, pray for people of faith in America to take confession of sin seriously, asking God to forgive their transgressions, and restore them, as well as their nation, to fellowship and blessing.

Today’s Verse: 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 51:1-17

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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