Day 48 – CONTRITION, CONFESSION, COOPERATION

CONTRITION, CONFESSION, COOPERATION

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

MOMENTS OF PRAYER

☐ Pray for the items listed in your Prayer Journal

☐ Pray for the five individuals/families you chose

☐ Pray for the Adventist Prayer Ministry in Canada

☐ Pray for your local pastor(s)

The temptations of the enemy will come; but shall we give him the advantage to break down all the barriers, by yielding one iota from the strictest principles of integrity? If we yield in the least, he will follow one temptation with another, until we shall go directly contrary to the plainest statements of the Word of God, and follow the mind and will of Satan. Satan and his confederacy of evil angels are ever on the alert to see by what means they may ensnare and ruin souls who have enlisted under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel. You did run well for a season, you did taste and see that the Lord is good; but when you fell into sin, you walked in darkness. When you yielded to temptation, you must have ceased to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. But, having confessed your sins, believe that the Word of God cannot fail, but that He is faithful that hath promised. It is just as much your duty to believe that God will fulfil His word, and forgive your sins, as it is your duty to confess your sins. You must exercise faith in God as in one who will do exactly as He has promised in His Word, and pardon all your transgressions.

How may we know that the Lord is indeed our sin-pardoning Redeemer, and prove what is the blessedness, the grace, the love there is in Him for us? O, we must believe His word implicitly, with contrite and submissive spirit! There is no need to go mourning and ever repenting, and under a cloud of continual condemnation. Believe the Word of God, keep looking unto Jesus, dwelling upon His virtues and mercies, and there will be created in the heart an utter abhorrence of that which is evil. You will be among those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. But the more closely we discern Jesus, the more clearly we shall see our own defects of character.

As we see our failings, let us confess them to Jesus, and, with true contrition of soul, cooperate with the divine power of the Holy Spirit to overcome all evil. If we confess our sins, we must believe that they are pardoned, because the promise is positive.

Ellen Gold White, This Day With God, pg. 89 – March 21

GOING DEEPER

To confess sins is not merely to admit that we are sinners, but to lay them before God and to seek forgiveness. If we do so, we can be sure of forgiveness and purification on the grounds of God’s character. He is faithful and just to forgive confessed sin. The faithfulness lies in His adherence to his promises that He will forgive his people: “Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever because He delights in steadfast love.… Thou wilt show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as thou hast sworn to our fathers from the days of old” (Mic. 7:18–20).

Marshall, I. H. (1978). The Epistles of John (pp. 113–114). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

QUESTION…

What important task had Paul assigned to Timothy? 1 Timothy 4:13

IN LETTERS OF GOLD

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her Husband.” Revelation 21:2

THIS WEEK’S HOMEWORK

1. Memorize: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35
2. Contact the five individuals/families and kindly remind them about the special concert. Be mindful that this may be their first time at church. We suggest that you set a time and place to meet them before the concert starts.