FREEDOM FROM SIN
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 word confess in the verse above is translated from the Greek “Homologeo.” It’s a verb, which means to make declaration. But in the context of our opening verse, it means to acknowledge. If we acknowledge our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let’s also read Romans 3:24-26; it talks about God’s righteousness and the forgiveness of sin: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness, for the remission of sins that are past…that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” God is righteous, and in His righteousness, He puts away man’s sins and justifies him.
Can you imagine that? It doesn’t say God justifies the one who confesses his sins and asks for forgiveness. He’s not so much after you getting forgiveness as He is after the real reason for forgiveness. Forgiveness is from the Greek word “Aphiemi” and it means freedom. The Father’s focus is freedom from sin.
Already, you’re the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. You’re the expression of His righteousness. Acts 13:38-39 tells us something remarkable; it says, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Justified means to declare not guilty, acquitted, free—freedom from sin.
When we say freedom from sin, we’re not talking about freedom from the bondage of sin but freedom from sinning. Freedom from the bondage of sin refers to Satan’s dominion, which has been broken. But freedom from sin means the ability and possibility to live righteously and not to do wrong. Is that possible?
Emphatically yes! It’s what Jesus came to do; otherwise, it means His purpose wasn’t accomplished. But thanks be unto God; He fulfilled His purpose. He was made sin so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Now sin shall not have dominion over you (Romans 6:14). We’ll learn more in our next study.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the freedom from sin that I have through Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that through His sacrifice, I am justified, cleansed, and sin-free. I walk in righteousness and manifest your glory in all that I do, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Romans 6:12-14, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 1:13-14
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Revelation 21 & Malachi 1-2
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Revelation 22:1-10 & Malachi 1-2
