“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
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Athletes often are motivated to get as much playing time as possible. Sometimes that means they may try to hide an injury or illness to avoid attention, but often it ends up hurting the player and the team more than if they had just been upfront and allowed themselves time and resources to fully heal and come back stronger. It’s also a picture of how human beings tend to try to hide our sins, even though God wants us to be honest with Him and allow Him to cleanse us through the blood of Christ.
In many ways, we all fall short of God’s standards. Our thoughts don’t always focus on good and wholesome things. Our minds tend to wander when we try to take care of our responsibilities.
On several occasions, Jesus showed the Pharisees that He knows our thoughts. The religious leaders thought they were accepted by God because they were extra careful about their outward behavior, but Jesus corrected them by showing that bad thoughts are still sinful if we dwell on them. “Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?'” (Luke 5:22).
We can also offend the Lord by our words and actions when we speak and act selfishly without regard for how our conversations and poor choices may affect others. We are all guilty at times of sins of this nature — like lying, unkindness, stealing, greediness, backbiting, whispering and arrogance — and are therefore falling short of His best for us.
Paul reminded the Corinthian believers of their past so that they could celebrate God’s forgiveness and restoration together. Corinthians were known for filthy behavior, and should have been most grateful for God’s grace and mercy toward them. “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).
We can fully appreciate the salvation offered to us while still going back occasionally to our old sins, and therefore need to be reminded of our new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God is patient with us and wants us to come to Him instead of hiding in our shame or fear.
Is there an area of life you have been trying to keep hidden and need to instead bring it to God? He promises to make us righteous in the things we bring to Him and trust Him to cleanse (1 John 1:9, above).
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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