Sin, Confession and Forgiveness

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 (New International Version)

Our relationship with God suffers when we sin. We were created, as physical and spiritual beings, to be in constant communication with our Creator. This is what fuels our purpose in life. This is the very essence of our stay on earth. Sin causes severance from our source of life and exposes us to the harsh terrains of judgment. It excludes us from the Father's protection and providence. The place of sin is exactly when the enemy wants us, for that is where we are most vulnerable to his accusations. The place of sin is also exactly when God does not want us to be, because it creates a void between us.

In this text, the Apostle John preconditions God's forgiveness of our sins with our confession (acceptance and recognition of wrong). Confession is the vocalization of repentance. It is beyond lip service or mere apology. It is a commitment to work towards the restoration of a lost relationship. Forgiveness is the cessation of anger. However, it will not occur if the aggravator or sinner refuses to apologize or admit that what they did was wrong. Through the confession of our sins, we show God that we have humility in our hearts, obedience to His Word and submission to His will. This indicates a readiness to reengage with Him.

Take a quick look at godly people in the Bible. They were involved in not-so-saintly behaviors. However, the common thread in their lives was their willingness to confess their sins and ask for forgiveness. God is always ready to love but we have to make the move towards Him. Not only will He forgive us when we confess our sins, He will purify us from all unrighteousness. What a wonderful God!