Confession Leads to Salvation

Could Christians realize how many times the Lord has ordered their way, that the purposes of the enemy concerning them might not be accomplished, they would not stumble along complainingly. Their faith would be stayed on God, and no trial would have power to move them. They would acknowledge Him as their wisdom and efficiency, and He would bring to pass that which He desires to work out through them.—Prophets and Kings, 576.

The conditions of obtaining mercy from God are simple and reasonable. The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order to gain forgiveness. We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to expiate our transgression. He that “confesseth and forsaketh” his sin “shall have mercy.”

In the courts above, Christ is pleading for His church—pleading for those for whom He has paid the redemption price of His blood. Centuries, ages, can never lessen the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice. Neither life nor death, height nor depth, can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus; not because we hold Him so firmly, but because He holds us so fast. If our salvation depended on our own efforts, we could not be saved; but it depends on the One who is behind all the promises. Our grasp on Him may seem feeble, but His love is that of an elder brother; so long as we maintain our union with Him, no one can pluck us out of His hand.—The Acts of the Apostles, 552.
With God at Dawn p. 230
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Prayer Requests
—-There’s a fire about 15 miles from my area, please pray that it doesn’t reach here. David
—-Please pray for Mike, Eileen, and Brian as they travel. Rose
—-I need prayer for direction and wisdom on finding a plan for my grandson’s school year. Cora
—-I’m having a plumbing problem that’s taking a toll on my health and life. Will you please pray it will be resolved very soon. Nancy
—-Please pray for my daughter Kayla who finally got pregnant and is due in February and has now tested positive for COVID. Linda
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Dear Friends,

One afternoon when Ronnie Jay was not quite three, I noticed he was acting rather strangely. He was standing on the floor and leaning against the sofa with his head on one of the cushions. Worried, I went over to investigate. He had been playing outside. He was always a very good child and never got into trouble of any kind so he often went outside by himself. I questioned him and tried to figure out why he was not acting his usual self. Finally, I noticed that he was holding something. It was small, triangular, dark brown, and a little wet. I had no idea what it was, but whatever this “something” was, it had to be the cause of his problem.

I asked Ronnie Jay to show me where he had found this “something” that was in his hand. He took me to a dark, damp area close against the house. There were three mushrooms growing. One had a piece missing! That piece in Ronnie Jay’s hand fit perfectly.

Just as putting that mushroom into his mouth for a short time, had caused Ronnie Jay to be groggy and listless for the afternoon; so one little cherished sin can cause us to become listless spiritually. Solomon explains, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” Ecc 10:1 We must stop “tasting” the evil “mushrooms” of sin, for although they look so desirable, they are full of poison.

There is only one remedy for our spiritually groggy condition. Praise God! Our Dear Saviour can heal our listlessness and cause us to be alert and full of life. Think of it. He “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14 The gift of salvation is ours for the asking! We have the privilege of coming to Jesus for the forgiveness and cleansing we so desperately need. Paul urges us, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” John assures us, “if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Heb 4:16; John 1:9

The prayer of confession David prayed after his great sin should be our heartfelt cry, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight….Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. . . . Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Ps 51:1-13

May we daily pray, “Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps 19:12-14

Rose

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