“If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Our God is a relational God. Our faith is a relational faith. It is not about a bunch of do’s and don’ts. This verse highlights the fact that relationship is at the center of our faith.
Relationships are bruised and torn apart when people betray one another through deceitfulness and broken promises. This is equally true in our relationship with God. When we sin we break our relationship with God. The good news is that once we are made sons and daughters of God we will always be sons and daughters of God. But that doesn’t mean that the relationship with God isn’t hurt by sin.
God’s promise to us is this: because of his faithfulness and because He is a just God He will always forgive us when we seek reconciliation through an admission of our sin. Confession is agreeing with God that sin is sin. We have a tendency to try to sweep sin under the rug and ignore it. God cannot and will not do this. But he will forgive us when we come to Him and deal with it through confession and repentance. Saying “I’m sorry” is hard for all of us. But it is the gateway to reconciliation.
Why this brick is foundational: God takes sin seriously. We should too. I’ve heard it said, “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved.” Confession of sin is the best way to start moving back to a close relationship with God.