Saturday, September 23, 2017
1 John 1:8-9 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.
HE IS FAITHFUL
Martin Luther once said that something even as small as a penny can block our way to heaven if we let it. The smallest sin has that same possibility for us. If we do not face up to the truth about our sins, we erect a barrier between ourselves and our God which could become such that it destroys our faith in Him. The person who does this sets himself outside of God's grace. From this preserve us, heavenly Father.
Our Bible verse goes on to give us the other side of this coin. It says that if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Yes, if we face up to the truth about our sins, God will act according to His faithfulness and justice. He is indeed faithful because He holds true to His promises. He has said that because of Jesus' earthly life, suffering and death and empty tomb, He remembers our sins no more.
When we repent of our sins we experience His sweet grace which He gives us in His Word and sacraments. His grace blots out our record of sins against Him because His grace enables Him to make good His promise to forgive us. And He is also just to forgive us because Christ has paid for our sins, and we by faith lay claim to Christ's payment and His promise of forgiveness. Our sins are indeed covered by Jesus' blood and righteousness.
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 376:1)
-- Abridged from "The Lutheran Spokesman"
