Faithful & Just
When we sin again and again, our Heavenly Father stands ready, in his own faithfulness and justice, to forgive and make us whole.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
It is hard enough to ask God for forgiveness when we’ve really blown it. Our shame and guilt keep us away. We picture God as exasperated at best and more likely enraged at our willful, ongoing sinfulness. But even when we do muster up the courage to mutter a confession and ask for forgiveness it is even harder to feel forgiven. We say the words, “I’m sorry, Father; I sinned again. Please forgive me.” Then . . . we still feel like trash.
This is when we need to cling to the assurance of 1 John 1:9. When we come to our Heavenly Father with confession, even for the thousandth time, he is faithful and just to forgive. He is faithful to his own promises and character–slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He is faithful to us, his children, as a Father who will never leave or forsake or abandon or dismiss us.
And he is just because He has already dealt with our sins. They have already been punished at the cross (Isaiah 53:6-7), so “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). The debt we owe has been paid by Jesus (Colossians 3:14), so there is no need to grovel or fear or withdraw. It would be unjust for God not to forgive anyone who came to him in dependence on Jesus. When we sin again and again, our Heavenly Father stands ready, in his own faithfulness and justice, to forgive and make us whole.