God's Promise: Purification

 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." NIV

"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." NLT

1 John 1:9

    The promise of purification is the cleansing that comes through faith.  God removes all your sins when you step through the door of faith into a relationship with Him.  After that you work to stay pure so you can stay close to Him and be a walking testimony of who God is.  

    The promise requires confession because you need to recognize that your sin is actually sin.  God knows everything.  It is not for anyone else, but you.  It is how you purge and empty yourself from all that makes you spiritually sick, so that the Holy Spirit can come in and make you clean, healthy, and help you understand the love that God has for you.  

    All you have to do is confess.  When it is between you and God, it feels really good.  Everything that was holding you back or weighing you down is released.  Be careful to leave it with God and not pick it back up.  Once He frees you, you don't need to go back to your bondage.

    God is faithful and just.  He removes all your sins so they are no longer held against you.  Jesus paid the price, now you can go forward and sin no more.  You have to spend time with God in prayer and His Word to know how not to sin.  You have to ask Him to reveal any inherited or deep rooted sins, so that you can break free from them.  As you learn you will confess as sins become apparent.  You will not live a perfect life in this world, but you can strive to move closer to God every day.

    The purification comes from God's forgiveness and loving mercy.  When you accept His gift of salvation you are purified before you ever get baptized.  Baptism is a statement of faith and the first act of obedience, but it doesn't change you.  It doesn't purify you.  God's forgiveness is the only thing in the world that can do that.  Then you work hard to keep your mind pure, so that your body and actions will stay pure.

Psalm 32:5, 51:2, Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:7-9