⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Let’s think about the power of confession and forgiveness today. Not so much forgiveness of others, rather the forgiveness we can sometimes withhold from ourselves. Those times when we cry ‘I can’t forgive myself’. Those times when we put ourselves in a prison cell and throw away the key. Unforgiveness is spiritually, emotionally and, often physically, unhealthy and damaging. It stops us walking in the freedom God promises to us as children of God. 

This verse reassures us that the God of the universe, the King of kings, the Lord of Lords chooses to forgive us and, if He does, then it is surely a form of pride for us to choose not to forgive ourselves. Not only does he forgive us but he purifies us from all unrighteousness – that is a failure to think and act rightly. So, the good news is that he can transform our hearts – our feelings – and enable us to think and act rightly by forgiving ourselves. The blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us sets us free to retrieve the key, open the door and walk in the freedom that forgiveness enables.

Of course, there is a condition: ‘if we confess’. Confessing to our Father in heaven and acknowledging in our own hearts the reality of wrongdoing and sin releases forgiveness from heaven. However, there is one further step that can help us if we are having problems receiving forgiveness. That is the often lost discipline of confessing to one another our sins.  

Now, it’s not particularly wise to be rushing around confessing our sins to every Tom, Dick or Harry we meet. It is good though to practice accountability with one another within the context of relationships of trust. Meeting with one or two others regularly to pray and share life enables real growth in discipleship.

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Application:

God is faithful and just towards you. If you confess, then His choice is to forgive you. What do you choose?

Are you part of a small group?  Do you have one or two people with whom you meet regularly to share life and pray for one another?

Prayer:

Lord God, I have sinned against You; I have done evil in Your sight. I am sorry and repent. Have mercy on me according to Your love. Wash away my wrongdoing and cleanse me from my sin. Renew a right spirit within me and restore me to the joy of Your salvation. Amen.