“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)

When we follow Jesus Christ, we follow the One who lived a sinless life. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Since we still carry around our sinful nature, we still struggle with sin and sins. The amazing nature of Jesus is that He understands our struggle, and yet is ready to forgive and help us to overcome. He helps us as we first admit the truth of the sins with which we struggle. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Jesus can empathize with our struggle with sin, He is also the one who can help as an advocate for us. “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2) He took the judgment for our sin when He died in our place on the cross. “’He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed. For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:24-25) Everything Jesus did while in the world was for us so that we can face our sins and overcome them. He won the ultimate victory as He rose from the dead.

We overcome as we follow Jesus, who is called the Good Shepherd. “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrew 13:20-21) Following the Good Shepherd, we overcome our sin.  God can now build our fellowship with each other as we follow Him, who has forgiven us.

When we confess our sin and God begins to purify us, we begin to walk in the light of Jesus Christ. John describes the coming of Jesus, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4) Jesus, the Light, begins to purify us and equip us to shine His light to the world. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Everything begins when we come before God, seeking His forgiveness. Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and are being purified that we may do His good works as we live in our relationship with Jesus and each other. Then through our lives, He can shine His light to the world. We can come to Him because He first loved us and desired to forgive, purify and do good through us.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block