If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9
Early every Tuesday, just when the sun is peaking up, I take our garbage to the curb where a garbage truck picks it up and hauls it away. Likewise, I take my spiritual garbage to Jesus, who hauls it away. I do not know if you are like me, but I frequently need to take out my spiritual garbage; once a week is never enough.
Thankfully, the Bible is clear in giving direction for how to get rid of our spiritual garbage: we do it by confessing it, as set forth in today’s scripture:
“If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The word “confess” translates the Greek word homologeo (homo = “same” + logeo = “speak”), meaning to say the same thing as another, to agree with, to assent. When we confess our spiritual garbage, we are agreeing with God that it is sin, saying the same thing about it that God says.
For example, when I confess, I am agreeing with God that not forgiving the person who hurt me is stinking spiritual garbage, hurtful not only to him, but to God. When I confess, I am agreeing with God that my thoughtless word to my wife was sin. It was more than a mistake, a goof or blunder; I agree with God and call it just what He calls it – sin!
Today’s scripture reminds us to be alert and watchful for our need to take out the spiritual garbage, saying, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Happily, the promise of today’s scripture is that when we confess our sin, naming it to God for what it truly is, thenGod “who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God simply wants us to be honest with Him, calling sin, sin! That means that even the sin that we don’t know about, and don’t think to confess, God will “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Because Satan is “the accuser” (Revelation 12:10; Zechariah 3:1) who likes to add to a Christian’s sense of guilt, I like to bathe my thoughts in God’s loving and merciful heart towards us:
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you” (Psalm 86:5);
“The Lord the gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 145:8);
“As far as the east is from the west, so far God removes our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12);
“Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).
Our city garbage collector doesn’t come until tomorrow. But Jesus is ready 24/7 to away all of our spiritual garbage and make us clean as we confess. Jesus is after all, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). I call that, “Good News!”
A fellow traveler,
Tim
