Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness
1 John 1:5-10
The Main Thing to Know:
God’s faithfulness is greater than my sinfulness
• Everyone needs forgiveness
• Anyone can find forgiveness
1. Our Part: Confession
No sin is:
Too small
Too great
Too secret
Too recurring
As God did not at first choose you because you were high, he will not now forsake you because you are low.
—John Flavel, Keeping the Heart
2. God’s Part: Forgiveness
God’s forgiving, redeeming, restoring touch reaches down into the darkest crevices of our souls, those places where we are most ashamed, most defeated . . . we cannot sin our way out of his tender care.
—Dane Ortlund, Gently and Lowly
If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.
(Psalm 130:3-4)
— Overcoming Ongoing Sin —
Know the truth:
• about the devil
• about sin
Three Statements about Sin:
– Sin has no power over me other than what I give it.
– The regret of sin lasts longer than any pleasure of sin.
– I am not a slave of sin; I am a child of God.
• about grace