Assurance of Forgiveness
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1st John 1:9 (NIV)
Participation in sexual impurity is both sinful and unrighteous. It is not the life that God has in mind for us and it will block us from many of the blessings He has in mind for us. Yes, it is true that God blesses both the righteous and unrightesous for God is good even when we are not. But, there are additional blessings that belong to the righteous that we cannot have if we decide to disobey his will for us.
If we confess our sins…
There is a way out of the pit we are in. We begin by confessing our sins. To confess our sins means that we agree with God that what we have been doing is wrong and is not what He wanted us to do. Confession is the act of coming into agreement with the mind of God. It is the first step toward holiness. But, we cannot enjoy a new life of holiness until we confess our sins.
Confession is not just a mind game where we confess mentally. It involves the action of speaking aloud our confession.
- If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NIV)
- For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:10 (NIV)
We say outloud, in our own voice that we have done wrong. We specifically name the things we have been doing that is wrong. We agree with God that what we have been doing is wrong.
There is healing in confession.
The New Testament says in James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. If we wish to be healed, we confess our sins not only to God, but to the people of God as well. This can be as simple as speaking and praying with your minister, the elders of your church or a strong Christian that you know. Confession and prayer are powerful tools to begin healing our lives.
He is faithful and just…
The writer of John reminds us that God is faithful and just. Most of us desire mercy instead of justice. If we’ve been involved in sexual impurity, we certainly know that we need God’s mercy. Through the confession of sins, God’s sense of justice can be satisfied. The faithfulness of God means that He is a God who forgives sins as we come into agreement with him. He understands that we are not perfect; but, when we come into agreement with Him through our act of confession, God is faithful to forgive.
To forgive us our sins…
God wants to give us all new life. The new life begins when He forgive all of our sins. The new life is a time when we start over as if we had never made a mistake; and, in God’s eyes, we actually stand before him without sin. We are the new creation he promises to make of us.
And purify us of all unrighteousness
God doesn’t just forgive our sins, he purifies us from all unrighteousness. It is our unrighteousness that causes us to sin in the first place. Our sexual acting out, as bad as that may be, is the result of something far worse–our unrighteousness. God’s purifying process takes some time–it isn’t instantaneous. Though he forgives us right away, his purifying work will take the rest of our lives to accomplish. For those who struggle with sexual impurity, compulsions and addictions, He shows us how we may be led out of it. He may lead you to websites like this one. He creates recovery groups and accountability partners. For those who want to be purified, God will show you the way.
Our God is a great God. He has made it possible for all of us to be free from every impurity. We start the process by confessing our sins, accepting his forgiveness and letting his purifying work take place in our lives. We here at the Purity Project in Oklahoma City are here to help you. We have a toll free number for you to call: 1-877-5-Purity.
