If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
--1 John 1:8-9
Lets do a little math: I am 48 years of age. If I committed only 3 tiny, little, teensie-weensie sins a day, that would be roughly 90 sins per month. 90 sins times 12 months equals 1080 sins per year. 1080 sins per year times 48 years of life equals 51, 840 sins. And dear reader, this is only three little sins a day -- which surely puts me on a higher moral level than Mother Theresa!
And yet the Bible says: Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
The Scripture reading for this day has nothing to do with how many or how few sins we've committed. It has everything to do with what we say about them. If, for instance, we say that we have no sin, the joke's on us; we've lied to ourselves. Psychologists call it "denial." God's truth will not be found relaxing in the living room of our hearts.
However, if we confess our sins, if we acknowledge what we know to be true down to the very marrow of our bones, then God is faithful to forgive and cleanse away the unrighteous dirt.
The only thing to get us in trouble is what we hold outside that forgiveness, what we refuse to confess. It's when we basically say "Jesus, thanks a bunch for cleaning up most of these sins, but there are just a few that I have to take care of myself and I hope you don't mind."
He does mind; for that's not how it works. Forgiveness is not about mathematics; it refuses fractionalization -- as in Jesus takes care of 75% and I have to shoulder the rest. It is, rather, an utter and complete gift. Glad hearts receive it as such.
PD
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