1 John 1:8-10 TPT “If we boast that we have no sin, we’re only fooling ourselves and are strangers to the truth.
9 But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we claim that we’re not guilty of sin when God uncovers it with his light, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.”
Let me put things into perspective. We all know we are sinners. There is no good in us except Him if we do believe properly. Even when you argue with your spouses, children, family, boss, policeman, employees, dog, or yourself, because we are sinners, all parties are guilty! It does not matter who started the argument or gaslighting. We all start out guilty! Therefore, you must know this first-person position, or else you will be deceived.
Even as Pastors and those with authority to teach, preach, correct, rebuke, and discipline, we must be careful to help people resolve their sins or issues. PY and I are led by the Holy Spirit to show and help resolve sin. Some of our leaders may have limited authority to do the same until they are at a certain level of authority, wisdom, discernment, and, most importantly, their anointing.
But most of the congregation must view themselves as patients. Maybe mental patients more like it. Jesus came to look for patients and vice versa.
Look at verse 10.
“If we claim that we are not guilty of sin when God uncovers it with His light, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”
If “we claim we are not guilty” means a person always pointing the finger at another and not looking at their own log 🪵 in their eye 👁️ . How does God uncover your sin? When you are now in your flesh slandering, gossiping, self-pitying, overstepping, jealous, mad, angry, pissed off, cursing, mocking, thinking of leaving, hating, disrespecting, man-handling, smoking crack, going back to drinking, and the likes, you are guilty, are you not? We are all weak in these areas. Have we all been guilty of these or still are?
So what are you to do? Verse 9 says when you admit your own manure, then God can clean you with baby wipes 🧻and forgive you. If you look at the previous verses, 6-7, in order to stay in the light, you must live in unbroken fellowship with the saints so Jesus can keep cleaning you.
How are we to stay and live in pure light? Verse 6 says do not walk in darkness. Walking in darkness is when you are mad, angry, self-pitying, defending, and going after people for the wrong reasons and motives.
Do not live in the swamp (sewers) where it is dark unless you like the smell.👃 Let us be thankful as Jesus saved us from ourselves. Renew your thinking so that you may experience rebirth.
Pastor Steve Kim