Father, I would pray that You would corral my thoughts, they seem to be scattered all around. Help me to focus on You and what You have for me this day. Amen.
1 John 1:8-10 (<<click here)
Lord, as I have read these verses and have read the notes in my study Bible* it has given me reason to pause and think. I have believed the different elements but have not really put them together this way. First, when You gave Your life on the cross it was a once and for all sacrifice
“For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” Hebrews 10:10
Every sin committed against you in all of time as been atoned for- they are forgiven. That includes every person from Adam to the last person that will be born before the final judgment at the end of time. But it is fuller than even that, and I guess I had never thought it out this way before but it also includes every sin I have ever committed, as well as, every sin I will commit in the future. All my sins have been forgiven! Praise Your Holy Name!
Secondly, then, the forgiveness is awesomely wonderful but John very clearly here in verses 8-9 states,
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
So all of my sins have been forgiven – past, present, and future – but just because I’ve been forgiven doesn’t mean I don’t still need to repent and seek forgiveness. Here is how my study Bible* puts it,
“This kind of confession is not offered to gain God’s acceptance but to remove the barrier to fellowship that [my] sin has put between [myself] and him.”
The barriers we erect must be taken eradicated and only Christ can do that! Lord, there is empowerment in knowing that my sins are forgiven. Knowing that You have forgiven every sin I have committed or ever will commit is…well, it’s stunning! You did it all for me! You believe in me! You want me to succeed in serving You. Lord, help me to be more and more like You. Empower me to overcome temptation when it comes my way. Help me to live victoriously because You have made it possible! Amen – so bet it!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Mar 29th, Wed, 6:46 am
