This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1,5-9
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SIN?
The unbelieving person is in darkness, as John would say, and will remain there, until they believe the Gospel.
The Christian, however, should not be walking in darkness, but in the light.
Make no mistake: God is light. There is no darkness in him.
When we sin – and we do, sometimes habitually – we take a step back into the darkness – and we need to come back into the light as soon as possible.
How?
By not denying what we have done, hiding it from God or ourselves; instead confessing our sin to God we receive his cleansing and forgiveness – and we are then done with it!
Sometimes, this is not so easy. That is why James writes that it is good to confess our sins to each other (James 5,16).
One way to practice this is that if you struggle with condemnation, you precious child of God, go to some trusted Christian friend, confess your wrongdoing to this person, and together seek God´s forgiveness according to 1 John 1,9.
TWO SITUATIONS CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT BE IN
FIRST: Denying sin
As a Christian, not confessing our sin to God; not coming to the Light, but choosing to remain in the darkness, opens up our lives to dark forces that will do us no good! Going down that road will in the end lead to us denying Christ, and losing our faith. There is solid scripture to back this up. Look e.g. at John 15 verses 2 and 6.
SECOND: Remaining under condemnation
Let´s say you are a Christian, and you know you have done wrong, because you know what his Word says. You will feel condemned by that Word. This is right! So far! But do not stay there! If you do, it may become harder and harder for you to come to him. Come to God and confess your sin ASAP, that he can forgive you! The reason you are finding this difficult, is your condemnation. Remember we have an accuser, who tirelessly seeks to keep you under condemnation (Rev 12,10). But remember also him that called you! He loved you long before you knew him, while you were still in sin – check out Romans 5,6. In fact before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1,4-5), he knew you, he loved you, and he chose you to be in him. So, stick with it!
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ALL THIS?
The default role of the Holy Spirit in this context, is to convict the unbeliever (not the believer) of sin, because they do not believe in him. (John 16,9)
The Christian believes, and the default position for that man or woman is that they DO NOT SIN! (Rom 8,12)
However, we do sin! What will the Holy Spirit do then?
The first thing you need to know about the Holy Spirit, is that he is on your side!
He is your divine helper!
John calls him the Paraclete (ό παρακλητος) – the one called to your side to help you. If there is any Greek word you need to learn from my blog, and there are many, it is this one – I have already mentioned it several times, and I will come back to it again and again.
Yes, he WILL show you your sin, if you need showing. He will remind you of the words of Jesus (John 14,26).
But the Holy Spirit´s ministry is always to show you Christ!
He will always point you to Christ, and to the solution!
He will not let you stay in your condemnation!
You do that to yourself! You remind yourself of your sin!
But the Holy Spirit points you to the solution – Christ Jesus!
HERE ARE SOME FACTS FOR YOU
He is the Spirit of Truth (John 14,17) – He will always point you to him who IS the Truth, Jesus Christ (John 14,6)
He is the Spirit of paraclesis – ENCOURAGEMENT! He is there to strengthen you, give you faith, keep you steadfast in believing.
Hearing his voice fills you with joy in believing! Fills you with peace in believing.
Paul said:
The Kingdom of God is not in food and drink, but in RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit! (Rom 14,17)
This is where we need to be, friends, and the Holy Spirit IS HERE, to help us!
LET US REMEMBER
It is by GRACE we are saved, and by GRACE we remain saved. His GRACE and forgiveness are sufficient!
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Heb 7,25) KVJ
Very encouraging Karl.
Thank you!
Thank you Terry!😊