Abiding in Christ - Open Confession

1 John 1: 6-10 (NKJV) - "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and 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 Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that 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. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

Continuing in the study of what Abiding in Christ means, we come to the understanding that abiding in Christ means that a person walks and is in fellowship with Him. We already noted the words of the prophet Amos - "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" If we are in fellowship with God, we are walking with Christ in an intimate and continual way. Our verse at the start of this musing speaks that we ought to walk in a state of open confession with the Father.

Sin. Something that is detestable and unaccepted in the sight of God. Some say that when we accept Christ that we no longer sin. We are perfect. That we know from experience and looking at the world (and Church) around us is not true. Only a deceived and deluded person thinks that they are without any sin in their life. In fact, John makes it clear that "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." Uhh, wouldn't calling God a liar be a sin?

So, if God cannot be in the presence of sin, and if we are sinners (even as believers) can God fellowship with us? The answer is that "If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." (Psalm 66:18 NLT) We break our fellowship with the Father, not our salvation. So, how do we restore this fellowship? By keeping a constant confessional open between ourselves and God. We need to immediately confess (Greek word means to agree, or say the same thing) to God that we had sinned, and ask His forgiveness for it. When we do - the sin is forgiven, we are cleansed, and we are restored to full fellowship with our Father.

BTW - if you are wondering how confession connects with abiding in Christ - we cannot abide if we are not in fellowship. Remember what Amos said. Today, pause and reflect upon your communion with God - is there anything between you and your Father? Set it right now.