Nougat 3

This sin problem – it affects us all. Today’s Holy Nougat offers a solution

“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.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It begins with our willingness recognize that we are sinners. With Sin being the act of falling short of God’s standards, we are all sinners. Still saved by God’s grace, sinners nevertheless. Many of us struggle with this.

If we can’t admit that we commit sins, then we’re either deluded or in denial. Deluded, in that we we’ve failed to accept that though we may sin less; we are not sinless. That’s what verse 8 says, we are fooling ourselves. We might need to get ourselves checked by God’s Spirit. Of course, some of us know that we have sinned, but we add caveats to God’s standards and justify our actions. Or we publicly deny our sins in the hope that others will still think we are ‘perfect’. Let’s not buy into that lie.

The solution offered by our Nougat is a reasonable one. Begin with Confession. Confession is about speaking facts or admitting to guilt. It usually indicates our desire to stop that behavior (repentance), and thus would precede a request for forgiveness (pardon). Our admission of sin can then be seen as an indication that we’re ready to yield to God’s Spirit. It’s not the outrageous example of the sin of commission where the confessor repents of stealing now as well as for later. That may have been confession but it doesn’t sound like ‘true’ repentance.

Confession doesn’t have to be a long fancy prayer. It is more valuable for it to be genuine. No lengthy detours with us trying to justify ourselves; look where that landed Moses – in an unmarked grave on the outskirts of the Promised Land. And once we begin justifying, we probably are on the slippery slope of delusion and denial again.

Before we pray our confession to God right now; we can think about where we have fallen short of God’s plans and purpose for our lives. We listen for God’s Spirit to convict us.

Lord, forgive us when we fail to meet Your standards. I confess that I have [name the sin you have committed here] and I am sorry. Please forgive me. Strengthen my hand so I might not sin in this way anymore. May my repentance be a true reflection of Your Spirit in my life as You renew me to righteousness, in Jesus name. Amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ