1 John 1:9

I memorized this verse as a very young child.

If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I knew what it meant - we were no longer held accountable for our sins.
But last night it hit me.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (em)

And just? That puzzled me for a second.
Then it hit me.

It was just for Him to do this because Jesus paid our penalty for us, we were just accepting the fact that the price had been paid. It would be unjust to require a double payment. He was just in accepting only one payment; the payment of Jesus.

But he wasn't only

just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

He was

faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all righteousness.

He would not fail to be just in clearing the record of debt against us. IF we would confess our sins. Our wrong-doings. Our trespasses.

Praise be unto God!

If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

But wait - He doesn't just

forgive us our sins

He also

cleanses us from all unrighteousness

! As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Hallelujah! I marvel at the faithfulness and justness of God: my LORD, my Saviour, my King.

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