Bishop Keith Butler
Dec 20, 2023
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)
All humans, regardless of their faith or belief in God, know the difference between right and wrong. It’s woven into the fabric of our being. There is nothing about Christianity that somehow awakens us to see sin. Before we were saved, we already recognized it! In fact, John tells us that if we are to deny sin, we are allowing ourselves to be blinded and separated from the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Our faith gives us the ability to do something about the sin that shows up. It lies in two incredibly powerful words in John’s epistle: confess and forgive. When we confess, which is the Greek word homologeo, which means to acknowledge our sin, God forgives us of our sin.
That means that God’s grace is not automatic. We cannot just do whatever we feel like and then expect grace to just cover over it. We must confess. It is an admission that says, “Yes, I did it,” and with it a resolute, “I will quit it.”
This isn’t a one-sided conversation we are having. It’s a dialogue with God who hears us, comforts us, and cleanses us to move forward because of our acknowledgement. This isn’t “automatic grace.” It’s a conversation based on a covenant between two parties — a loving God and His loved creation.
We must be honest and open with God while understanding His character. God is not trying to harm us or scold us. He desires to cleanse us and use us, but that cannot happen until we admit the wrong and quit doing the wrong with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Are there any areas in your life that you are too embarrassed to bring up with God? Do you have any areas that you have not asked Him for forgiveness and acknowledged your wrong? Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and take the step to admit it and quit it.