WE are in the last chapter, nearing the end of our look into Positional Truth. I do not want to repeat what is in the previous comment, but it is good to refresh our thoughts before we proceed further. I would like to make at least one comment about something our author said in the last section. So to repeat, we’ve started Chapter 10*, Sins and Confession, keying on 1John 1:9, and a couple of things to note and remember so far are:
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. ….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. ….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.
“THE remedy is to confess our sins,” and here we are looking close at how that is done in 1John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I RECALL years ago, early on in my Christian experience, when a faithful pastor used to reference the many “grace apparatus” of Christian Life, “tools in the tool box” he said, for living out our Christian life. 1John 1:9 was one of those “grace tools,” part of the “grace apparatus” he often referenced meant to deal with sin and restore fellowship, both vertical and horizontal. …I want to talk about confession for a little more, it is very important.
OUR author also made this statement in what we have reviewed:
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.
IF need be, go back and reread that section in its entirety. This is an important point that needs to be understood and underlined literally and mentally. Not only is the Word very specific on this point, there is practical out working on this as well; let me explain.
IN 1John 1:9, the word confess in the Greek literally means, “name.” It means agree, assent, acknowledge, “call it what it is,” “name it.” As the author has said, confessing sins in particular, not in general. Think about it for a minute; those of you who have raised small children and caught them in the act – hand in the “cookie jar” as it were. What is the most difficult thing to get them to do? They might admit to doing “wrong,” but as to the “specific act,” that somehow sticks in the throat of confession. Sin is not a disease, or some kind of attitude, vague misunderstanding, mistake, “oops,” or miscalculation; it is a specific act large or small of willful disobedience, defiance of authority, want of conformity and transgression of what is right and wrong (WSC Q14). It is an action, a deed done! In my years of personal experience and counseling I’ve confirmed the truth of this message in both the apparent difficultly in “owning up” to sins committed and the power that comes from confession and subsequent forgiveness. Psychologist might call it cathartic, but the Bible is very clear that there is power in the Blood of Lamb that keeps on cleansing (1John 1:7), that restores fellowship when we get serious and specific about those very sins our Savior died for in the process of removing those sin that are the barrier between His own and the Father.
ONE more thing, least we get a little legalist here. What if I overlook a sin, or commit a sin out of ignorance, two very valid issues? Well, this “grace tool” works here as well. Note how 1John 1:9 ends, … and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The other side of the grace coin is mercy most tender (Psa 51:1-2). Our Lord knows our frame and is full of compassion, and is most willing to forgive as we return to him as we ought (Luke 15)!
1JOHN 1:9 is indeed an important tool in the Christian’s toolbox for daily living. Maybe a “tool belt” is a better analogy for our time. Hummm, may have to think about that.
Well, I’ve gone long there, so we’ll get to the next paragraphs of Chapter 10* in the next comment.
IN the joy of the Lord,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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* Chapter 27, reading out of the Complete Green Letters.
