I BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
1 John 1:8-10
INTRODUCTION
This is the fifth in a series of sermons on The Apostles’ Creed. We find in it a series of statements of what Christians have believed through the centuries. The creed has a series of 12 statements based upon the work of the three persons of the Trinity and may date as early as the second century. Regardless of its date of origin, its statements are based upon the teachings of the Bible. Today, we will consider belief in the forgiveness of sins.
I. FORGIVENESS ASSUMES GOD’S MERCIFULNESS
1. Mercifulness is based upon His faithfulness.
2. Mercifulness is based upon His justice.
If God were not a merciful God, He would have no interest in forgiving our sins. Rather, He would only be interested in the punishment of our sins out of a sense of justice. Although He is righteous and holy and cannot stand sin, He is merciful.
II. FORGIVENESS REQUIRES OUR CONFESSION.
1. Confession is based upon our recognition of our sinfulness.
2. Confession is based upon our recognition of the Savior.
If there is no recognition of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, there will likely be no awareness of our own sinfulness. If there is no recognition of our sinfulness, there will be no sense of need for confession of sin. If there is no confession, there will be no forgiveness of sin.
III. FORGIVENESS CLEANSES OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
1. Unrighteousness is cleansed by our repentance.
2. Unrighteousness is cleansed by our Redeemer.
Once we have recognized the truth about our sins, we need to confess—to repent, or turn from, our sinfulness. Only through repentance and confession can we be forgiven of our sinfulness. Only our Redeemer’s death on the cross for our sins can make it possible for us to receive forgiveness. When we have received forgiveness through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, then we are cleansed.
CONCLUSION
Do you recognize how awful your sinful condition is in the sight of God? Have you reached the place in your life where you realize that you are a sinner? If not, you need to listen to the Holy Spirit in your life. If you have recognized the truth about your sinfulness, what have you done about it?
Have you asked to be forgiven for your sins? Have you confessed your sin nature to God? Have you admitted that it was your sinfulness that forced Jesus Christ to die on the cross? Have you been cleansed—i.e., washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Illustration: God’s Super-Computer
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