Subject: salvation |
Bible Note: The word "confess" means, literally, "to say the same thing." That is, we are to have the same attitude toward sin that God has. When God says in the Scriptures that something is sin, our immediate response should be, "That's right, Lord, that is sin. I renounce it. I agree with you about what it is and I am grateful for the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses from all sins. And I thank you, Lord, that you are faithful and just in your dealings with me." (It should be noted that in Greek the word "sin" in verse 9 is preceded by the definite article "the". Thus, God forgives "the sin" we confess but also cleanses us from all unrighteousness.) We experience renewed fellowship. Forgiveness of sin to maintain fellowship with the Lord depends on confession of sins, and cleansing of defilement from the sin nature depends on walking in the light. - Charles Swindoll and Roy Zuck Repetitive Fellowship Forgiveness: Time: When a Christian confesses his sin; Means: Jesus' ministry as the believer's High Priest; Nature: Conditioned on confession; Result: Fellowship with God Restored (1 John 1:9) - Wendell Miller |