Apology Not Accepted
by Pastor Timothy Burdick
1st John 1:9 is, for many of
us, one of the first passages that we
memorize as Christians. For too many of us
though, I am afraid it has become so
familiar that we don’t really stop and think
about the marvelous truth it contains. After
we read it, let me tell you a short story to
explain what I mean. Here's the Scripture: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Once I heard a speaker say
that many times we "apologize
to God rather than confessing our sins to
Him." The more I thought about what
was said, the more I concluded that the
speaker was right. While I am writing these
words, I am asking myself if I don’t still
do that very thing ?
Many times in this world, we
don’t feel like apologizing so we do it in a
half-hearted way. We say a quick "I’m sorry," just to keep the peace and then go
on our way. Too many times, our prayers are
like that, but God is not pleased when we do
and He does not accept that kind of apology.
If that’s the case, you
might be asking, “What
does it mean to confess?” Confessing
is not based upon feeling. It is agreeing
with God’s Word, whether you feel like it or
not. While God will not accept our
apologies, He gladly accepts our
confessions.
Read the verse in 1st John
1:9 again. It tells us about God’s
forgiveness, by using the words "faithful" and "righteous,"
so let’s look at those two words. Have you
ever had a good friend who was really
faithful? God is like that. Even if your
best friend were to forsake you, God is
always there. So in the same way, He is
faithful to cleanse and restore you when you
honestly confess to Him.
God is pure and righteous,
while the Bible says about us that we are
sinful. Through the blood of his Son,
however, He will impute His righteousness to
us if we agree that we cannot reach His
standards on our own.
Like a shower can get us
ready for a new day, The cleansing work that
God does in our hearts results in new power
and joy, so that we can face whatever life
dishes out.
Visit Pastor Timothy at New Vision Ministries website www.mynvm.org
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