Last Monday, I wrote a post called “Two Visuals: One Cool, One Scary.” The scary visual was a bible verse where we see a visual of what sin looks like to God:
Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against You and cast Your law behind their back. Nehemiah 9:26 [ESV]
In this verse, we see that when we sin, we effectively take God’s Word in our hands…and toss it…with disregard…over our shoulder…behind our back (just as the Israelites did). Truly scary. Having this image of sin won’t keep us from sinning (it’s our nature), but it may help us make a decision when faced with a choice.
If this image were the end of the story, well...
But it isn’t! Check this:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 [ESV]
Now visualize this:
- Realizing our sin, we turn to pick up God’s Word (Confession)
- Jesus is standing there (Faithful)
- He picks up God’s Word, dusts it off, looks to the Father, and says, “Paid in full” (Justice)
- Jesus looks back at us, hands God’s word back, and says, “My child, I love you. I Always have and always will.” (Cleanse and forgive)
God’s forgiveness and cleansing are promised – no matter the severity of the sin. The key is that we must create this visual through our confession – God is faithful and willing, but we must initiate.
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Faithful and Just Savior,
Thank you for the promise of Your forgiveness and cleansing! May I be quickened to confess my sin to You as they are committed. The desire of my heart is to worship You with my heart, soul, mind and strength. May the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, and the actions of the very body You created be pleasing and bring honor to You, O Lord.
dennis.
DENNARR(dot)COM 