The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(Friends, the current series regarding confession of sin is centered on the meaning of the word "confession" in the New Testament, namely, "to say the same thing." We are considering what God says about our sins, and how we join Him in His grace, mercy, and truth in order to adequately confess our sins.)
Confession of Sin
Part 5 - "No Excuses"
"The blood shed on Calvary's cross bypasses excuses. It flows with abundant forgiveness and cleansing unto those who affirm Christ for who He is as God's means of mercy, and who acknowledge sin as sin."
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).
You may have heard the adage, "God forgives sins. He does not forgive excuses."
"I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid" declared the Psalmist in an acceptance of personal responsibility often absent in human response to wrongs committed (Psalm 32:5). Since Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the devil in Eden, the natural tendency of their offspring follows suit (Genesis 3:12-13). Receiving the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ for the unbeliever in salvation involves the humbling admission of complete responsibility for sin. Moreover, Christians can live with a stained, discouraged conscience because spiritual enemies tempt us to shift blame for unbelief and disobedience to others than ourselves. Thereby, we cannot avail themselves of the efficacy of Christ's atoning sacrifice and blood, shed for sins confessed rather than covered. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience" (Hebrews 10:22).
Every believer must establish early in their walk with God that we cannot "say the same thing" (the meaning of "confess" in I John 1:9) if we do not agree with Him about our complete responsibility for any failure on our part. The devil, the world, and people can certainly tempt and influence us. However, no sin has ever been committed in the history of the human race for which the guilty party does not bear responsibility in God's sight. Not one. This includes my sins and yours, and if a trace of blame-shifting exists anywhere in our minds, let us put it to death through the leading and enabling of the Holy Spirit. Only thereby can we experience the conscience-cleansing power that comes with saying the same thing as God says about our Savior's redeeming mercy, and our sins that make it necessary. "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7).
The Bible proclaims a no-excuses Gospel. It does so to make forgiveness possible and actual for sinners in need of salvation, and saints in need for restoration to fellowship with God in times of sin. The blood shed on Calvary's cross bypasses excuses. It flows with abundant forgiveness and cleansing unto those who affirm Christ for who He is as God's means of mercy, and who acknowledge sin as sin. To say the same thing as God regarding this most vital matter involves the acknowledgement that the sins for which Christ died are indeed our sins.
"Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."
(Psalm 51:2-3)
Tomorrow: Part 6 - A Clear Conscience
Weekly Memory Verse
"Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee."
(Psalm 116:7).
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