See first post here.

There is a Biblical mandate to give thanks. Yet, too often we are distracted with the busyness of life or simply choose to focus on the negative. Over the next few posts we will look at four reasons to give thanks. Of course, these are merely four out of countless reasons for thanksgiving. The second reason … a purified life.

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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

John 1:9

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Let’s clear some rocks before we start digging deep.

Many of us church goers buy into a myth.  It seems like a minor issue but it leads to big problems.

Myth: Spiritual maturity is acting as if everything is OK.

We buy into that myth – so we hide things. We keep people at a distance. We reveal the good things and we bury the bad things.

This myth needs to be abolished and we need to embrace truth.

Truth: Spiritual maturity begins with a proper understanding of self and Savior. It will always include confession.

Self: You are broken. You fail. You struggle. You sin.

Savior: He makes the broken whole. He picks you up after failure. He gives you strength in the struggle. He provides forgiveness of sin.

You must confess your sin and your Savior.

How can we be in need of a Savior if we refuse to admit and confess sin? It’s impossible. A proper understanding of self leads us to see our brokenness, our failures, our sin. A proper understanding of Jesus leads us to see him as our Savior who provides grace, forgiveness, and purifies us from all unrighteousness.

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How can we be in need of a Savior if we refuse to admit and confess sin? It’s impossible.

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Don’t buy into the myth! You don’t need to pretend that everything is OK. You need to confess your dependence upon God. You need to confess your sin and embrace the grace and forgiveness offered to you.

When Jesus died on the cross every sin in your life was a future sin. And he died for every single one of them. If you truly have fellowship with God you confess that sin.

Confession is a mark of spiritual maturity. What does it look like?

Confession is reflected in prayer.  Your prayer should be a time of remembering that God is God and YOU are not.  Acknowledge him as a Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Provider.  Make sure to confess your sin.

Confession is reflected in your story.  In everyday life there is no need to hide your background, upbringing, failures, etc.  Your story is your story and it can be used to explain the work God has done in you.  Don’t hide it.  Use it to speak of God’s power.  

Confession is reflected in relationships.  When you hurt someone – own it and apologize.  When you’re wrong – own it and apologize.  It is highly hypocritical to confess sin to God and fail to acknowledge your sin to the people you’ve sinned against.

God works with hearts that are submitted to him.

A lack of confession, a lack of repentance keeps us traveling down the same road.

A habit of confession, a habit of repentance allows God to purifies us.

Thank God. Truly thank God for the purified life.