At Wilkesboro Baptist recently, we’ve been working through the letter of 1 John. John wrote so that we “who believe in the name of the Son of God” may know that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13). This letter has been so encouraging and challenging for us as a congregation. It encourages us that salvation is accessible and possible for those who believe. Likewise, it challenges us to obey God and to love others. John wrote for his readers to have confidence or assurance in their salvation.

One of the key reasons many Christians lack assurance is the troubling, all too serious reality of sin. Throughout the letter, John warns his readers not to sin while also promising forgiveness to those who confess and repent. Confession is the reason for today’s post.

As we enter the season of Lent leading up to our remembrance of Jesus’ Passion and celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection, we should be even more mindful of sin. For too many of us, the ongoing struggle with sin leads us to self-loathing and shame. For others, the ongoing struggle with sin feels like a battle we can’t win, so we fail to fight against it. For others, when we sin, we just give up and wallow in it.

The shame, self-loathing, quitting, and wallowing that we tend toward are unhelpful responses. Shame is what we feel based on what we are: guilty. Self-loathing is a personal interpretation of the condition of our souls and not what God says about us (that we are his children (1 John 3:1). Quitting the fight is simply giving in to the temptations of the flesh, eyes, and pride. Wallowing is remaining in sin because we see know way out.

But there is a way out. “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). The way out of sin is to face it with confession. Confession is simply agreeing with God about our sin. A very helpful picture that I came across last week regarding confession comes from Paul David Tripp:

Under the shadow of the cross, sin doesn’t surprise us anymore, doesn’t depress us anymore, and doesn’t move us to deny or defend. Under the shadow of the cross, we remember who we are and what it is that we are dealing with. Under the shadow of the cross, we are required to admit that the greatest enemy we face is not difficulty or maltreatment from without, but the enemy of sin within. Under the shadow of the cross, we quit pointing fingers and begin crying out for help. Under the shadow of the cross, we are reminded that we are not in this battle alone; in fact, there we admit that we have no power whatsoever to battle on our own. Under the shadow of the cross we get our sanity back, admitting who we are and what it is that we so desperately need. The shadow of the cross is a place of peace and protection that can be found nowhere else. Let the shadow of the cross be your teacher.
Paul David Tripp, Journey to the Cross: A 40-Day Lenten Devotional (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), 18.

Struggling with sin today?

In your mind’s eye, during your devotional time today, go to the cross.

Sit there.

Consider your sin.

Consider the cost Jesus paid to forgive your sin.

Confess your sin.

He is faithful to forgive and cleanse.

Take the way out that Jesus provided.

Photo by Alicia Quan on Unsplash