RPG Adults
SIN AND FORGIVENESS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9
1 John 1:1-10
Psalm 51:1-19
“Have mercy upon me, O God,
according to thy lovingkindness …”
SIN AND FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness of sin is another element that brings believers together. John said that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Each believer is a beneficiary of the shed blood of Christ. The regenerate are brought together into one fellowship by the cleansing blood of the Lamb.
Confession precedes forgiveness of sin. John showed the value of confession when he said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). David again set a good example. He committed a double sin of adultery and murder when he was king of Israel (2 Sam 11). It was the worst sin for a believer of that position. The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to confront David. The prophet chose his words carefully and had David to condemn himself. David had a soft heart and was willing to confess his sins. That confession has been made a permanent record in Psalm 51. It is not a dignified experience going through such a process. Nevertheless it was necessary in order to be reconciled to God and to those David had sinned against. David was victorious in dealing with his sins. Later he was certified as a man after God’s own heart. He was repentant and willing to confess his sins; and he received full restoration.
The Lord gives everyone a second chance as long as they are repentant. When one desires to be reconciled to God, there is always that offer of forgiveness. Truthfulness, as stated earlier, is the mark of sincerity. Nominal Christianity has no place in the house of God, but the sad fact is that there are many who feign repentance but are not sincere. They are known by their fruits. They come to church with their pre-conceived notion about the church, and they impose their own standards when they can. In this, the church has to strictly impose disciplinary measures on them to arrest such a situation.
THOUGHT: Confession is a mark of true repentance.
PRAYER: Lord, may I always be quick to repent of my sins.