God Promises Cleansing
What does “clean” feel like to you?
Verse of the Day
‘But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.’
Today’s Devotional
How are your relationships? Are they healthy?
The book of First John is about relationships, both with God and other humans. We are made for relationships. We are made in the image of God, who is Himself in continual relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God fashioned us with a deep need for relationships. First and foremost, we are only truly whole when we are in a relationship with God. But…have you ever struggled in your relationship with God? I have.
If we look at our human relationship as a reference point, there are barriers that happen when one person wrongs another. That barrier remains in place until the offender owns his mistake and makes some form of amends. Sometimes, the offender doesn’t realize that he has done something that harmed the relationship. But when it is brought to his attention, how does he respond?
Think about that. What has your experience been with this?
Here are some examples the kinds of responses that don’t reconcile the relationship:
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“That’s just the way I am.”
“You’re too sensitive.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“I can’t help it.”
Shifting back to our relationship with God, how do we respond to Him when He shows us where we have missed the mark?
If our response is anywhere near the above examples, then we have work to do. Today’s verse is a promise of forgiveness and cleansing. IF we confess. The word “confess” here doesn’t just mean that we tell God what we’ve done, it means that we agree with Him about our wrongness. That’s the opposite of apologizing for something you aren’t sorry for. It’s also interesting to note that the verb tense for “confess” used in this verse is in the present tense. As in today. And everyday. We keep confessing to God and He continues to forgive and cleanse us.
Just to be clear, God does not want us to be wallowing in despair over our continued sinfulness. “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)
From enduringword.com: “Though sin is present, it need not remain a hindrance to our relationship with God – we may find complete cleansing as we confess our sins. As God convicts us of sin that is hindering our fellowship with Him, we must confess it and receive forgiveness and cleansing for our relationship with God to continue without hindrance.”
The promise is simple: Our confession of sin wipes the slate clean with our relationship with God. Our goal should be to confess (agree) and repent (change our thinking and actions) to God with the same heart that we would want one someone to come to us when they have wronged us. Because being washed clean is the very best way to live.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
How can you confess your sins to God today? What do you need to confess?
How can you live today as though you believe that you are fully forgiven?
How does God’s cleansing feel to you?