Identity 05: Continually Forgiven
Orientate
The Apostle John wrote the gospel of John and another couple of letters that we have in the Bible. In the letter of 1 John, John is writing to Christians. He calls them, “my dear children” because he is an experienced and respected leader. He is giving them guidance in this letter on how to please God so that “you will not sin.” He understands that Christians have been set free from sin and its consequences, and that they can live God’s way.
But he also knows that perfection is not possible while we live in this world that is plagued with sin and temptation. So he is very clear that sometimes we will fail. If we pretend that this is not true, we’re setting ourselves up as hypocrites and actually ignoring God’s expectations of us. While you are now right with God through the grace of Jesus, you live in a broken world and are still broken yourself, so you will let God down at times.
Explore: 1 John 1:8-2:2
1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Journal
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. What does it mean to confess our sins? How often should we do it?
Reflect
The bad news is that you are still going to struggle with sin while you live in this world. One day when God finally intervenes, this will not be the case. Yes! However, while God will continue to shape you and grow you here, you won’t completely escape the temptation and pressure of your broken human condition. It will feel like a battle at times, but every Christian is in the same boat.
This is not an excuse to cave in to temptation. You need to fight it and God promises that he will help you. You will have many wins. But when you do fail, Jesus is still on your side. John says that he is not your accuser but your advocate. Got that? He is there to help you deal with the sin, not put you on trial for caving to it. You need to come to Jesus, admit your sin, say sorry, turn away from the sin and receive the forgiveness of Jesus that comes through his sacrificial death. That’s grace! You will need to do this your whole life, and every time you will experience grace not judgement. That’s God’s commitment. You will continually be forgiven.
Pray
Lord I’m thankful that I’m not the person I used to be. In your grace, you are changing me and making me more like you. But I’m sorry that I am not yet the person I wish I could be. Sin is still appealing to me and sometimes I cave in to its pressure and short-term pleasure rather than trusting and obeying you. When this happens, I feel dirty and weak and unworthy. I wonder what you must think of me. Thanks so much that in your grace you keep on loving me. You stay on my side and you want to help me deal with my failure. You are for me not against me. Please help me to be honest with you; to keep confessing my sin and not to ignore it or justify it. Right now may you forgive and cleanse me so that I can keep on doing life together with you with no barriers or secrets.
Respond
Take a few minutes today to examine your life to see if there are any areas in which you have recently failed God by disobeying him or not doing what he has asked you to do. Say sorry and receive his forgiveness. If you don’t feel forgiven, make sure you claim that you are, according to this Scripture.
