Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 1 John 1:8-10 – If We Confess Our Sins – Growing As Disciples
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:8-10 (NIV)
Will Forgive Us
There is nothing that you can do to make yourself acceptable in my sight. You can’t clean yourself up and wash away your own sin. You can’t do heroic deeds of service to try to earn my favor. You can’t honestly say that you will try harder to not sin against me in the future. You will sin again and again. There is absolutely no hope in your own efforts. Even trying to make yourself acceptable in my sight is a sin. Why is that? Don’t I get any credit for trying to do and be better? No, you don’t receive any credit for trying hard to make yourself acceptable in my sight. This sounds really depressing. It sounds like there is no hope for me. That’s not true. What is the truth?
I sent my son into the world to die for you. He made it so your sins could be forgiven and you could be cleansed of all your unrighteousness. If you could have earned my forgiveness and cleansing would I have sent my Son into the world to die for your sins? No, I suppose not. When you try to clean yourself of your sin what are you really saying to me? I’m probably saying that you made a mistake. I suppose I’m saying that your Son didn’t need to die for my sins. Do you think I make mistakes? No, I guess not.
Your forgiveness and cleansing is a gift to receive. You cannot earn your salvation. If you try to earn your forgiveness and cleansing by your works what else are you really saying to me? I guess that I might be saying that your Son’s sacrifice on the cross was not enough. Do you really think my Son’s death on the cross was not enough payment for your sins? Do you really think that your feeble acts of service are an important addition to what my Son has already done for you? No, I guess not.
Do you want to receive forgiveness and cleansing of all your sins? Yes, I do want to receive forgiveness and cleansing of all my sins. Then there is something you must do? What’s that? Turn your life over to me. Confess your sins to me. Receive your forgiveness and cleansing for your all sins from me. Yes Lord, I will.
Lord, I know I am a sinner. I have sinned against you in thought, word and deed. There is nothing I can do to make myself clean and acceptable in your sight. Thank you for paying for my sins on the cross. I confess my sins to you. You are my Savior and Lord. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
If-1 John 1-8-10- If We Confess Our Sins -4-page-Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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