based on the Love God Greatly study, From Broken to Restored / w4d3
Scripture: Nehemiah 9:1-4; Leviticus 26:39-45 / SOAP: 1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
All of our passages in today’s study reveal the seriousness that God places on sin. It is so serious that it requires action on our part – that action is the confession of sin, meaning we admit our guilt before God – and in repentance turn away from the sin back to God and His way. In the Old Testament this meant offering a sacrifice to make atonement for the sin, however, in the New Testament that all changed with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. His righteous blood was sufficient to ‘once and for all’ pay for the sins of man unlike any animal sacrifice that was or could ever be given.
While 1 John 1:9 is God’s promise to beleivers – that when/if we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive the sins. The added blessing is that God doesn’t just forgive the sins but He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. However, we must not ignore or miss the fact that this forgiveness comes “when/if” we “confess” our sins to God. When sins remained unconfessed they become a problem for us1, a stumbling block for others2, and a hindrance to our relationship with God3.
1Hebrews 12:7–11; 1 Corinthians 11:30
- 3If, as children of God, we choose to remain in our sin, then we choose the consequences that go with that choice. Broken fellowship and lack of growth result. However, those who persist in sin need to reexamine their true relationship with God (2 Corinthians 13:5) – Gotquestions.org;
- See also Isaiah 59:2
- Unconfessed sin works like a drape. Imagine standing by a south window on a cold winter day. The air is frigid, but the sun is shining through the window. It begins to warm you, and you bask in its glow. Then you pull the drape closed. Instantly, the warmth stops. Is it because the sun has stopped shining? No, it is because something has come between you and the sun. The moment you open the drape, the sun can warm you again. But it is up to you. The barrier is inside the house, not outside.
Making it Personal – Reflection
Was the people’s repentance genuine? How does genuine repentance differ from ritual repentance? Which one honors God more?
Going Further
Don’t miss today’s insight in the LGG Blog
A Sin Offering: https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-offering.html