CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness. —Isaiah 59:1-3

            Have you known sin in your life right now?  Confess it to the Lord!  Agree with Him that you have sinned against Him.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).  But—

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.  I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.  If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.  But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! —Psalm 66:16-20

            Again, if we know of sin in our lives, we need to confess that to our Lord.  Do so now and do not wait because “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” and “your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).  Our sin affects our fellowship with our God.  Why would we hold onto it?  “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors… For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).  God forgives when we confess and He models that forgiveness to us that we in turn will forgive others. Oh, that we would be faithful in thought, speech and actions!  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Thank You for forgiveness and may I be quick to forgive others… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLSmInBim6k  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ZWEO36jok