YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN PART 2. CONFESSION

YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN PART 2. CONFESSION

In the part one of this series, we established some basic truths about forgiveness of sin.  I explained that forgiveness is to let go or pardon a crime as if it was never committed. We also saw that in Christ we have forgiveness of sin as an UNCONDITIONAL GIFT. Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;       So forgiveness of sin is through the blood of Jesus. It is because of the riches of God’s Grace.
  For proper understanding of this part two, Click HERE to read part one of this series if you have not read it. In this part two, we will look at confession  and forgiveness of sin. We will address points like; what truly is confession? Is confession a requirement for the forgiveness of sin? What truly is 1John 1:9 saying and when we sin should we confess?

THE MEANING OF CONFESSION and 1JOHN 1:9
The word confession as used in the scriptures means say same thing as another in agreement. It is from the Greek word homologeō.  Thayer defines the word as to say the same thing as another, to agree with, assent  or to concede. The same Greek word was used as acknowledge in 1John 2:23.  Confession is not the same thing as sorry or apology. Many people when they hear the word confess what comes to their mind is say I am sorry. No, that is wrong.
Now, when you hear confession of sin it is to say what God is saying about your sin. We must not allow the world to define the word for us. Let’s look at confession of sin and 1John 1:9. 
1John 1:  9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Before we look at what this verse is saying. Let’s first observe the word confess here. So when the Bible say if we confess our sin, it means if we say what God is saying about sin. It means if we agree with what God’s word says about our sins. What did God say about sin? The same book, same chapter, verse 7 tells us that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.  This is in agreement with other places in the Bible. Therefore, what God’s word says about our sin is that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sins. The blood has paid for our sin. It is on this basis that  OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN. So when the Bible says here of we confessing our sin, it doesn’t mean  we saying sorry. Noooo.  It means accepting that we have sinned and that Christ Jesus has paid for our sins. The next verse further buttresses this.  10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Saying your sins are forgiven  is different from saying you have no sin. If we have no sin  what then is The blood of Jesus cleansing? Our sins been forgiven is not a denial of sin. It is an acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ for sin. This was what John was addressing.
Now let’s look at the Whole of 1John 1.
1 John 1
1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Notice from the first three verses, we have those that have heard and handled the word of life. We also have YOU being invited to come have fellowship with those that have handled the word. It is the inability to differentiate this two sets of people that makes people to misinterpret this chapter of the Bible. Those that do not have fellowship with God are the same people saying they have no sin. Therefore John in verse 8, 9, and 10 corrects them. He admonishes them to first acknowledge that they have sin. Then they should confess their sins as God is faithful to forgive. The verse didn’t say God will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness because we confess our sins. Let’s not forget what confession means. It is to say the exact thing the Lord is saying in agreement . All it takes to enjoy the forgiveness of sin that has been made available in Christ is to agree with what Christ has done. Obviously these people believing that  there is no sin cannot be Christians. We still have some sets of people like that in the world today who say sin is dead therefore no need to believe Jesus died for our sins. This is very wrong. There is sin. But, the GOODNEWS is that the sins has been paid for in Christ.
IS IT WRONG TO SAY SORRY TO GOD WHEN YOU SIN?
NO. If that helps your conscience, it is not wrong. But, never forget you are not forgiven because you say sorry. You are forgiven because of the Grace of God.
Ephesians 1: 7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Observe  the above scripture, it did not say we have forgiveness of sin because we say sorry. But rather we have forgiveness through the blood of Jesus and according to the riches of God’s Grace. What did Bible say we should do if we sin? The next chapter tells us.
1John 2
1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins ofthe whole world.
Notice what it says, if you sin, you have an advocate, Jesus. Is it you that talks in the law court or your  Lawyer/advocate?  It is your advocate. Jesus advocacy is in His sacrifice for our sins. Verse 2 explains this. He is the propitiation, the atoning sacrifice for our sin. SAYING YOUR SINS ARE NOT FORGIVEN BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT CONFESSED IS INSULTING THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS.
Funny enough even in the old testament under the law when forgiveness was based on conditions, they only confess their faults ONCE IN A YEAR. It is confessed on an animal which could not take away sins.
Hebrews 10
1  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. note
3  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: note
6  In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8  Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

GO OVER the scripture above again and observe the alighted verses. All glory to Jesus. HE HAS PAID THE SACRIFICE FOR SINS ONCE AND FOR ALL. YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.
This is a great blessing. To know that God does not and can never deal with you according to your faults. This  was what David saw.
Romans 4: 6  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Notice, to whom God will not impute sin, not to whom does not commit sin. Does it now mean we should enjoy sin as Christians? No. Check my post on GOOD WORKS to learn how to live effortless holy life.

In summary, Knowing that OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN AFFECTS EVERY AREA OF OUR LIFE.  Now we do not feel comfortable with evil for any reason. We know God is not involved and is not punishing us for our sins. This is enough reason to be always joyous. We are sure God is not out to get us, but is all out for us. We do not feel UNQUALIFIED for anything we have in Christ knowing that God is not treating us according to our faults. This is the GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE.

YOUR SINS ARE FOREVER FORGIVEN.

                      By OBIAZIKWOR EMEKE MODESTY
                             www.emekemodesty.com