If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

As someone who is now in their fifth decade as a Christian, and who is not only forgiven, but has also been substantially set free, it is too easy for me to take for granted the enormity of the cost, grace, mercy and love that made it possible for a Holy God not only to forgive us, but also to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And along with taking all this for granted, it is also too easy for me to forget the peril of those who have not yet received His forgiveness. And it is also too easy for me to forget the pain of those who have received it, but have not yet found the fullness of life and freedom in Christ that is their birthright. And the Lord brought this verse from 1 John 1:9 to my attention this morning, reminding me that in it is the kernel of the gospel. When we confess and admit our sin and turn in repentance to Him for forgiveness, we are immediately rescued from a Christless eternity without love, peace, hope or joy, from the default eternity spent with the author of hate, lies and every negative thing. If this is you this morning, all you have to do, is to admit your sin, turn from it and receive His forgiveness (John 1:14).

But the gospel, the good news, does not end there, it’s not just about heaven when we die, it is about freedom, peace and joy etc. in the here and now. Because of what He did on the cross, He is not only just to forgive us, He is also just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So we no longer need to live in guilt and shame, and we no longer need to struggle alone in the trials and temptation of life. He has sent His Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit that enabled Jesus as a Spirit filled man, to do all that He did. And if we do not yet even started to have that fullness of life, then we need to cry out to Him and ask for Him for the fullness of His Spirit. After all has He not compared His own willingness to give the Spirit, to a son asking his earthly father a fish, declaring that he will not be given a scorpion? That same Scripture says “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Luke 11:13)!

Father, there are many both in and out of the kingdom who are on my heart this morning, and there are many blocks to my sharing with them what I have written. Lord please bring them to this post this morning, and help them to believe, to open their hearts and to receive all that You so fervently desire to give them. I pray this morning Lord that they and I may be filled with all the fullness of God. And I give you all the honour, glory and praise in Jesus Name Amen