“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 ESV).
The apostle John declared the wonderful news that the blood of Jesus cleanses believers from all sin. How is the blood applied? By confession.
Confession is agreeing with God that we are sinners. The Greek word translated “confess” is ὁμολογέω (homologeó), which literally means to “say the same.” In other words, if God calls it sin, we call it sin. We agree with God. When we confess our sin to God it is not news to Him. He knows our sin already. Confession is agreeing with God that we have sinned, so that He can forgive us and cleanse us.
This Scripture brings to mind the great hymn by Elisha Hoffman, “Glory to His Name.” Remember its first verse?
“Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!”
Jesus has done all the work to make us righteous before the Father. Our appropriate response is to confess and believe.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the blood of Jesus. We confess our sins to You this day, knowing that the payment of Jesus is sufficient to cover our transgressions. Cleanse our guilty consciences that we might serve You with joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.