Assurance of Forgiveness 2024 (1 John 1:8-9)
Verse 8 This verse sound very similar to Romans 3:23.
- The real problem for many, is that they think that we are the only ones who have sin.
- Or they think I am the only ones who struggles with this particular sin.
- This verse from 1 John and the one from Romans 3:23 puts us all on equal footing.
- Thinking that I am the only one with this problem or that my sin is worse than others provides opportunity for the enemy to bring shame, guilt, fear, etc.
- Guilt was just there to show us we had violated the law. But the enemy corrupted it through condemnation.
Verse 9 This verse begins to explain what we do to ensure that we are forgiven.
- It starts by telling us that we need to confess our sins. A simple acknowledgement of our sin.
- This doesn’t have to be a big deal; it can be a simple heartfelt silent prayer.
- It can be confessing to another believer.
- But it’s acknowledgement not work, not striving.
- Then the verse tells us that Jesus is faithful. That fact that Jesus is faithful is mentioned before anything else.
- Continuing in the verse.
- The NIV uses the word “Just.” The NASB uses the word righteous.
- The Greek word used here means correct, righteous, conforming to the standard, or character of God.
- Because Jesus is in right relationship with God, He can do this.
- Only one who is righteous or just can forgive sins and makes us righteous. Only Jesus can do this.
- One who is unrighteous cannot make someone else righteous.
Forgive: Then the verse tells us that He will forgive our sins.
- The Greek word used here means to cancel. It was a word associated with canceling dept.
- When we confess our sins Jesus cancels them, along with the sin debt we owe to God.
Purify: Now the verse tells us that Jesus after he has forgiven us, He will purify us.
- The word used here means: cleanse, make clean, purify; heal, declare ritually acceptable
What will He purify us from? All unrighteousness
- And of course, unrighteousness refers to all those things we have done that were not pleasing to God.
- It also says all The text makes it very clear; all sin has been forgiven and made pure.
And It’s never too late: Think of the thief on the cross next to Jesus. He was seconds from dying and it was not too late for him.
- At the last second Jesus took away his sin. Luke 23:42-43. Talk about last minute!
- And there is no such thing as too much sin or sin that is too big.
- Either the cross was completely sufficient or it wasn’t at all.
Deal with issue of punishment. Often people think that God still owes them some from of punishment.
Isa 53 4-6 Verse 5 says that the punishment due us was upon Jesus.
- He took all of the punishment due us, all of it.
- If there still needed to be some punishment then what did Christ die for? What punishment did Jesus take then?