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1 John 1:9 has been called "The Christian's Bar of Soap". And for good reason! Just as we all need regular physical baths to wash away the accumulation of dirt and disease causing germs, so we need spiritual baths to clean away the contamination of Sin. Below are three applications based on the Principles from our Deeper Study:
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Principle 1: Confess Your Sins
Application: Acknowledge Your Sins to God Right Now!
The Principle says it all. We must Admit to God any sins we have committed that have not been confessed, and Agree with Him that we have sinned. That's step one! These include any actions, committed or omitted, as well as our thoughts and desires.
And the best time to do this is now! Why tolerate a lukewarm relationship with God, separated from His Love and Forgiveness, and miss out on all that He has for you?! When you're covered in mud, you don't hesitate to find a clean shower to wash it off, do you? Sin is far worse! Don't hesitate ... don't delay! Doing so only lowers our sensitivity to Sin, until we even tolerate its very presence in our lives ... giving Satan the opportunity to draw us deeper into his dark world. No ... confess your sins now ... before you become too accustomed to Sin's presence! Wash yourself clean in the grace and mercy of God, and walk in the fresh presence of His Spirit in fellowship with Christ!
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Principle 2: God Will Forgive the Sins We Confess
Application: Affirm God's Forgiveness by Faith!
As soon as you Confess your sins to God, Satan comes and whispers in your ear, "You don't really believe God could forgive and love someone like you, do you? God could never forgive you!" Don't believe it! God is Faithful to forgive the sins we confess to Him. That's a promise ... and God doesn't lie!
Affirm God's Forgiveness of your sins by Faith. Don't believe your feelings! His Word is True, and His Promises are Forever. They never change! You can trust God because He is Trustworthy!
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Principle 3: God's Forgiveness Cleanses and Heals.
Application: Accept God's Complete Cleansing of Your Sins
God doesn't only forgive the sins you acknowledge to Him but He washes you completely of all unrighteousness. Do not fret over sins you may have missed or failed to confess to God. His forgiveness reaches even these! Simply Acknowledge the ones He convicts your heart of, Affirm His promise of Forgiveness, and Accept His complete cleansing even over those sins you may have overlooked!
Have you Acknowledged your Sins to God? Stop right now and ask God to reveal to you any Sins you have committed which you have not yet confessed to Him. Use the Confession Sheet to list each Sin as God convicts you of them. Acknowledge each one to Him, agreeing with Him concerning your Sins. Sign the Sheet by writing your Name in the space provided as a way of Affirming His absolute forgiveness and complete cleansing.
Finally, print the sheet and destroy it ... through a shredding machine if possible, or by tearing it into as many pieces as possible. Then view God's Promises concerning the sins you have confessed. Memorize them and use them to refute the lies of Satan!
God cannot lie ... our sins are forgiven in Jesus' Name!