[1 John Series 3] CleansedSample

Who’s right, God or man?

If we say there is nothing we need to go to God with, or nothing to confess, we make God a liar, and His word is not in us.

The big question of life is: Who is right, God or man? I have chosen that God is right. Therefore, instead of saying, “No, I haven’t sinned. That wasn’t that bad.” I know in my heart when I am wrong. I go to Him and pray, “Lord, I am sorry. I don’t want anything to hinder our relationship.”

Parents, have you ever apologized to your kids? You should. There is no way you have ever been a perfect parent. What does that do when you apologize? It teaches them that even their parents don’t always get it perfect. Do you apologize to your wife, your husband, your boyfriend or your girlfriend, somebody you work with? Are there faults you want to hide, or sins you have tried to make time wash away, but you know in your heart they are still there?

Some years ago, I went through a weird season. For six months numerous people confessed to me that they had been talking bad about me behind my back. It troubled me, and I wondered what was causing it. Part of that just comes because leaders and speakers become like characters. It is easy to throw rocks at people on TV or on the internet and say things we wouldn’t say in person. 

To every one of them I said, “I forgive you. It is okay.” They received the forgiveness and I received the confession. Sometimes we will be on the receiving end. We won’t always be the person confessing, but somebody confessed to. Our response then must be as gracious as God’s response to us: “It is okay. I love you. It is fine.” Then we will be able to make the connection that makes the difference. 

If we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and righteous to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, but we have to confess our sins to one another as well when we have hurt other people. What happens is that this confession restores the relationship and then we receive the cleansing that comes from Jesus.

Do you hide your sins and act like they don’t exist? It is eating you up. You have the opportunity to confess them to the Lord. Let’s get it out and make it right!

[This reading plan is based on the 1 John series preached by pastor Gregg Matte. To watch the whole sermon this plan was taken from please follow this link: https://houstonsfirst.org/message/cleansed ]