Mercy for the Repentant
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.
All are
fallible, all make mistakes and fall into sin; but if the wrongdoer is willing
to see his errors, as they are made plain by the convicting Spirit of God, and
in humility of heart will confess them. . . , then he may be restored. . . .
The mansions
that Jesus has gone to prepare for all who love Him will be peopled by those
who are free from sin. But sins that are not confessed will never be forgiven;
the name of him who thus rejects the grace of God will be blotted out of the
book of life. The time is at hand when every secret thing shall be brought into
judgment, and then there will be many confessions made that will astonish the
world. The secrets of all hearts will be revealed. The confession of sin will
be most public. The sad part of it is that confession then made will be too
late to benefit the wrongdoer or to save others from deception. It only
testifies that his condemnation is just. . . . You may now close the book of
your remembrance in order to escape confessing your sins, but when the judgment
shall sit and the books shall be opened, you cannot close them. The recording
angel has testified that which is true. All that you have tried to conceal and
forget is registered, and will be read to you when it is too late for wrongs to
be righted. . . . Unless your sins are canceled, they will testify against you
at that day.
The prophet
Daniel was drawing very near to God when he was seeking Him with confession and
humiliation of soul. He did not try to excuse himself or his people, but
acknowledged the full extent of their transgression. In their behalf he
confessed sins of which he himself was not guilty, and besought the mercy of
God, that he might bring his brethren to see their sins. . . .
To all who seek
Him with true repentance God gives the assurance: "I have blotted out, as
a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me;
for I have redeemed thee" (Isa. 44: 22).
From That I May Know Him - Page 238
