Confess

Confess
Words of Faith 5-6-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 John1
[8] If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Sin is one of those things we don't really like to talk about. Sin is actually two things-- a CONDITION and a BEHAVIOR. Understanding both is really important. The "condition" of sin describes our separation from God. We are born that way, self-centered rather than God-centered. The "behaviors" where we rebel or miss the mark are the "sins," actions that fall short of God's plan and are unrighteous.
Most people think that our SIN (condition) comes as a result of our SINS (behavior). We might assume we are separated from God because we did something wrong. In fact, it is just the opposite. Our SINS (behavior) comes from our SIN (condition). We do wrong things because we are separated from God and cannot do His will apart from Him. Even if we were able to somehow eradicate our sinful behavior for a time, we still would be lost in this sinful condition and separated from God.
The Apostle Paul meticulously obeyed every detail of God's Law. Still, he discovered he was lost and alone without a relationship with God. The SIN (condition)-- our lonely separation from God-- is the fundamental human problem. Humans are separated from God and, therefore, behave badly toward God, themselves, and others. This condition of SIN also separates us from being our best selves, the person God designed us to be. We are also separated from our fellow human beings.
We are all quite "alone" and isolated in this condition even though we are all in the same boat! The problem of human existence is to try to fix all that so we can love God, our neighbors, and ourselves appropriately. But it is not as simple as just doing it.
Humanism claims that humans can evolve into "good and just" behavior on their own. Humanism denies the reality of sin and claims there is no need to fix anything. John says that if we "claim to be without sin" (Our human condition), the truth is not in us. If we "claim we have not sinned" (deny our bad behavior), we deny Biblical truth. We make Him out to be a liar such that his word has no place in our lives. This is basic.
The good news? God took care of all these problems; if only we would receive the solution. God bridged the gulf between Himself and humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. God reconciled humanity to Himself by taking care of the condition and paying the moral cost of the behavior.
Of course we will likely continue to make mistakes along the way, even after the relationship is fixed. Our "bent toward sinning" does not go away instantly. But John shares some very good news from God: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Forgiveness is not based upon our faithfulness; it is based upon the character of God. Even when we are unfaithful, He is faithful.
To confess means to AGREE. When we "confess," we AGREE WITH GOD that we are separated from God and need Jesus and that our behavior is not holy. If we AGREE with God about our human condition and behavior and receive the grace He has offered, we can be whole. No spiritual journey can begin from any point other than this one. Sin. Confession. Forgiveness.

Lord, I confess my need for You. I am alone without You! I need a right relationship with my Creator. I agree with You about the behavior in my life that is sin. I choose this day not to stand in my strength but in You. Forgive my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness. I need a personal relationship with You, Lord. Come into my life and walk with me. In Your name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.