READ: 1 John 1 (Focus vs. 5–2:2)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” 1 John 1:9
BACKGROUND
When I noticed a sprig budding next to the garden hose by our porch, I ignored the seemingly harmless eyesore. How could a little weed possibly hurt our lawn?
But as the weeks passed, that nuisance grew to be the size of a small bush and began taking over our yard. Its stray stalks arched over a portion of our walkway and sprouted up in other areas.
Admitting its destructive existence, I asked my husband to help me dig out the wild weeds by the roots and then protect our yard with weed killer.
When we ignore or deny its presence, sin can invade our lives like unwanted overgrowth and darken our personal space. Our sinless God has no darkness in Him . . . at all.
As His children, we’re equipped and charged to face sins head-on so we can “walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1 John 1:7). Through confession and repentance, we experience forgiveness and freedom from sin (vv. 8–10) because we have a great advocate—Jesus (2:1).
He willingly paid the ultimate price for our sins—His lifeblood—and “not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (v. 2).
When our sin is brought to our attention by God, we can choose denial, avoidance, or deflection of responsibility. But when we confess and repent, He weeds out sins that harm our relationships with Him and others.
By: Xochitl Dixon
INSIGHT
The apostle John reminds us that “God is light” (1 John 1:5) and encourages us to walk in fellowship with Him (vv. 6–7).
Elsewhere, Paul reminds us that we “are not in darkness” but are “children of the light” (1 Thessalonians 5:4–5). In 1 John, the apostle challenges us to “not sin” (2:1). But because we’re still not perfected, we do continue to sin (1:8).
John assures us that when we confess and repent, God will “forgive us our sins” (v. 9). Our “advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (2:1), “through the shedding of his blood” (Romans 3:25), is “the atoning sacrifice [propitiation] for our sins” (1 John 2:2; see 4:10).
The NIV Zondervan Study Bible describes “atoning sacrifice” as what Jesus did on the cross in “removing guilt and purifying sinners (expiation) and appeasing God’s anger toward sinners (propitiation).”
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
How does knowing your sins are offenses against God change your view about repentance? What sins have taken root and need to be weeded out of your life?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
The pleasures of sin are hurting and fleeting. The forgiveness of God is healing and eternal.
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“As His children, we’re equipped and charged to face sins head-on so we can “walk in the light, as He is in the light””
PRAYER
“Loving Father, please uproot the sins from my life so I can grow closer to You and others.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“HOLINESS” Micah Stampley
Holiness
Holiness
Is what I long for
Holiness
Is what I need
Holiness
Holiness
Is what you want
For me
Holiness
Holiness
Is what I long for
Righteousness
Righteousness
Is what I long for
Righteousness
Is what I need
(That’s what I need)
Righteousness
That’s what you want
That’s what you want
That’s what you want
For me
So take my
Take my heart
And mold it
Take my mind
Transform it
(Take)
Take my will
Conform it
To yours
To yours
Brokenness
Brokenness
Is what I long for
Brokenness
Is what I need
Gotta be broken
Brokenness
Brokenness
That’s what you want
For me
Take my heart
And mold it
Take, my mind
Take my mind
Transform it
Take my will
Take my will
Conform it
Conform my will
To yours
To yours
Oh, Lord
To yours
To yours
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
Deuteronomy 32-34
Mark 15:26-47
