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 NKJV

LET’S TALK
Perched on the bench after youth service, Andrew’s heart was heavy. He had messed up again: he said something he shouldn’t have and crossed lines he had promised God he wouldn’t.

“God, I’m sorry,” he whispered under his breath. But behind the apology was a silent question: will He really forgive me again?

That’s a question many young people ask, especially when they’ve made the same mistake more than once. But the Word gives us light. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The word “confess” comes from the Greek “homologeo”. It’s a powerful word. It means to acknowledge, to say the same thing in agreement with God.

When you acknowledge your sin before the Lord, He doesn’t hold it against you. The Bible says He is aithful and just: faithful to His Word and just because Jesus paid the full price for sin. That’s the Gospel! Now, look at Romans 3:24–26. The Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, explains something extraordinary: that God justifies us freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Did you see that? It doesn’t say He justifies the one who cries the most or begs for forgiveness. It says He justifies the one who believes in Jesus.

God is more interested in the result of forgiveness than the act itself. The word “forgiveness” is “aphiemi” in Greek. It means freedom. That’s what the Father desires: your freedom. You are now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. You are His expression of righteousness. Acts 13:38–39 says everyone who believes in Jesus is justified from all things. ‘Justified’ means ‘declared not guilty’. That’s your new nature.

Understand this: freedom from sin isn’t just freedom from Satan’s dominion; it’s freedom from sinning—the ability to live right. That’s what Jesus gave you. He became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

So, can you live righteously? Emphatically yes! Sin does not have dominion over you (Romans 6:14). This is your calling. This is your life. Walk in this consciousness and reign over sin every day.

Go Deeper
Romans 6:12-14; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Speak
Blessed Father, I thank you for the freedom from sin that I have in Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that through His sacrifice, I am justified, cleansed, and sin-free. I walk in righteousness and manifest your glory in all that I do.

Act
Speak boldly today: “I am justified, made righteous, and empowered to live above sin. Christ is my freedom!”