Day 8: January 13
Make Room for Repentance
READ
1 John 1:5-10: 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 If we walk in the light as he Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make Him a liar, and his word is not in us.
EXAMINE
Genuine authentic faith is based solely on a relationship and fellowship with God. Understanding the nature of God in relation to who we are as creatures of God is of critical importance. God is light; anything that remains in darkness does not have fellowship with Him. It is impossible to walk in both darkness and light, yet at times we are in danger of being deceived into allowing religious activities replace the work of confession and repentance. Instead, we walk in light with other believers. This is only made possible by acknowledging our sin and allowing the work of Christ on the cross to cleanse us. He is our advocate and sacrifice for our sins.
APPLY
Our daily practice as believers should be to evaluate the thoughts and behaviors in our life that are counter to the character of God. “Walking in the light” means we repent daily with desperation to remove anything that would separate us from the Father. When we don’t slow down enough for self evaluation, it’s easy for busyness of life to cloud our time with the Lord. This ultimately sheds light on the areas of sin that need addressing.
PRAY
Take a few minutes to pause and elevate the Father. Declare His truths and character. Allow Him to bring into perspective who you are: a sinner saved by grace. Ask Him to reveal anything in you that is not Godly. Repent and ask forgiveness and truth the power of the cross to Holy Spirit to release that in you to pursue life and godliness.
