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

We simply confess. He forgives. He cleanses.

What a wonderful promise! What a verse to keep in mind as I pray! In fact, it is the verse I most often pray back to God when I am struggling with sin.  So, needless to say, I pray this verse pretty regularly — almost daily. Probably should pray it daily. Definitely, need to pray it daily. Because I am a sinner. A pretty blatant sinner at times.

But He is God. A faithful God. A just God. Meaning if he promises something, no matter how filthy I am, he will keep His word. Nothing I can do will make Him change His mind.

So when God says He will forgive if I confess my sin; when He says He will cleanse my unrighteousness if I confess He. will. do. it.

He will do it!

Of course, I must do my part. A small part. A simple act of obedience. What is it? Confess.

I must confess — openly and honestly declare to my King that I am guilty as charged. Guilty of whatever it is that the Holy Spirit has been gently and quietly convicting me of.

I must confess that no, my sin isn’t just some small little thing. It isn’t okay because no else notices. It can’t be swept under the rug, ignored, or imagined away. My sin is just that — sin! And it makes me worthy of the death punishment.

I deserved death — eternal separation from my Lord and Savior.

I have no business speaking to Him, being near Him! I have no business asking for His mercy. I wouldn’t ask for His mercy except…

Except for His promise.

His wonderful, grace-filled promise.

The promise He faithfully and justly keeps.

The promise that if I confess He will forgive. He will cleanse. He will take care of my sin. He has taken care of my sin. At the cross. At that wonderful, bloody cross where Jesus paid the price for my sin.

I’ve come to realize that when I refuse to confess my sin… when I refuse to admit I have done wrong, I am saying Jesus died in vain. For nothing. No reason. No purpose. I’m saying that I’m really not that bad off. I don’t need Him. I don’t need His promises.

I might as well slap Him in the face and walk away.

Or…

Or I could confess. Realize how much I truly need Him. I need what Jesus did for me. I need what He did on the cross. I need His mercy, His grace, His unending love and faithfulness.

I could confess and enjoy a life spent in unbroken fellowship with Him.

If I just confess.

If I just confess. #quietlyreminded #quietlythroughthursday Click To Tweet

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for keeping this promise every! single! time! I come to you with a confession. Help me not to take for granted what you have done for me and what you continue to do. Help me to appreciate your sacrifice and your constant patience. Because you first loved me, I now love you. Show me how to display this love, just as you have displayed yours. In the name of your Son, I pray. Amen. 

We simply confess. He forgives. He cleanses. #quietlyreminded #quietlythroughthursday Click To Tweet

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Friends,

This post was written while reading Quietly Through God’s Word – a simple way of spending more time each day with Him. Quietly Through is a two-year reading plan that takes you through the Old Testament once in two years and the New Testament twice. I’m in a small Facebook group with a few ladies who have been following the plan together. We are almost done and will be starting it over again in January. Keep an eye on the blog this month for more information about Quietly Through in the upcoming year.

Now on to the link up!

Only by grace,

Kelli

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I’m so glad you’ve decided to join the #QuietlyThroughThursday LinkUp. This link-up is live every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month by 6AM PST. It has been created for those reading Quietly Through their Bibles to share what they are learning. However, any faith-based post is welcome.

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I just joined the #quietlythroughthursday #linkup! Click To Tweet

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You may enjoy these link ups as well: Chasing Community, Fresh Market Friday, Heart Encouragement, Monday @ Soul Survival, RaRaLinkUp, #Tea&Word, Warriors in the Word