October 5, 2007

 

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

 

Do you want to experience God’s forgiveness?

 

The best place to start is to assume personal and total responsibility for your sins. Don’t blame others—not your parents, society, or even God, for your problems. Just say “Lord, I’m guilty and I need Your forgiveness.”

 

This is exactly the formula the Israelites used to seek God’s forgiveness in the story of Nehemiah. They looked back over their actions, owned their sins, and admitted they deserved God’s judgment, not forgiveness.

 

But when they came to God in humility and confession, He forgave them!

 

Even though we also deserve God’s judgment, we also can receive His forgiveness. God is both just and merciful, which is why we receive grace and forgiveness, not what we deserve. That’s why John says that if we confess our sins and take responsibility for them, God will forgive us and clean us from our unrighteousness!

 

Are you ready to take responsibility for your actions, confessing your sins to God and asking for His forgiveness? He has promised to forgive you because forgiveness is the gift He gave us when He hung on the cross!

 

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE TRUE FORGIVENESS WHEN YOU ADMIT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR SINS.