SEVERAL comments back I spoke about my Bible M&M’s, “must memorize” verses. I commented there that 1John 1:9 is probably one among many of those singularly important or centrally significant verses of the Bible that must be memorized. As an elder in Christ’s church, one repeated activity is the interviewing of individuals becoming church members. This may entail adults or covenant youth coming forward to make their profession of faith. At some point in the conversation one of the elders will invariably ask the question about the persons understanding of sin and how they deal with it. It never ceases to amaze me how frequently I see that unprepared, “deer caught in the headlights” stare. This is so fundamental yet so often overlooked in our preparation of what it means to pick up our cross in the decision to follow Christ daily. I’m so grateful that early on in my Christ walk a faithful pastor drilled and grilled me in what he called “the rebound technique,” memorizing the meaning, necessity, and use of 1John 1:9 in the Christian’s life. When we are asked about how we deal with sin in our daily walk, or face its deadly reality when we succumb to temptation in any form, “1John 1:9” ought to be axiomatic and glad default response.
“THOUGH [I may] fall, [I] shall not be utterly cast down!” (Psa. 37:24a) Why? “For the LORD upholds him with His hand” (Psa. 37:24b), in His infinite grace providing me a way to rebound and recover from sin, 1John 1:9.
WITH that said, let’s get to our study below, the last chapter in “Principle of Position” – Sins and Confession, by Miles Stanford. As a reminder, this is Chapter 28 in The Complete Green Letters.
IN the joy of the Lord,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 28—Sins and Confession
“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). God the Father is free to forgive our sins because the Lord Jesus has already dealt with their source, the principle of sin. He condemned it in His flesh on the cross (Rom. 8:3). Confessing our sins, therefore, has nothing to do with condemnation, but with cleansing and communion.
Condition
The believer who is not aware of his perfect position before God, who does not realize that the Father has already placed him in the light of His presence, is more aware of his self-centered condition than his Christ-centered position. Hence he does not actually accept the benefit of his position in the light when he does confess his sins. He does not feel forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness, and soon gives up confessing. Thereafter he flounders in darkness and guilt. This is the predicament of all too many believers today.
In the early days of their Christian life, most believers are quite faithful in confessing their sins to the Father. But, because they are yet babes, there is very little scriptural knowledge of what God has done about the indwelling source of those sins, and before long there are more sins committed than confessed. This accumulation of unconfessed sins brings guilt to the conscience, and the believer finds himself out of fellowship with the Father. Not only that, but he is experiencing chastisement. To make matters worse, he now seeks to hide from the light. He forgets that the purpose of light is not to punish and condemn the sinner, but to reveal sins so that they may be confessed and freely forgiven.
Another common error is that of praying for forgiveness, instead of heeding the Word, confessing the sins, and receiving the assurance of forgiveness. One may pray for forgiveness for months, and still not receive the assurance of it. Many admit sin in general, instead of confessing sins in particular. Assurance of forgiveness and cleansing are the sure result of honest and specific confession of sins committed in thought, word, or deed. There may be repentance and brokenness, but this is the result of confession and cleansing, not the cause. “If any man sin,” there is immediate recourse to confession, and to Christ’s advocacy and shed blood for complete forgiveness and cleansing. “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive…” (1 John 1:9).
Position
When we rest in our position in Christ, we find that we are in the light. We know that our sins have been purged once for all and therefore our conscience is cleansed. At the same time, we are very much aware that although we abide in the risen Lord Jesus, our everyday Christian life is carried on in a sinful world. There are sins committed as we grow, because we take our eyes off the Lord Jesus and foolishly rely upon self; a defiled conscience and broken fellowship are the result. We also know that the remedy is to confess our sins, thereby to receive cleansing from all unrighteousness and restoration of a clear conscience and blessed fellowship.
Our present experience is greatly inferior to our eternal position, no matter what the stage of our spiritual growth. The development of our condition is toward our finished position, and at the same time from that completed source. The discrepancy between our position and our condition, manifested by our many failures in growth and service, is justly taken care of by means of our confession and His cleansing. Our need is further met by Christ’s faithful advocacy, whereby our position and fellowship are maintained throughout the progress of our spiritual growth. By these means our Lord ever keeps us dependent upon Himself, and at the same time fully confident in Him. Needy, but bold…
…….to be continued
