What does this short film teach us about the power of forgiveness?

 

Christ has conquered both sin and death by his work on the cross and his resurrection. We on the other hand, haven’t overcome these foes. We struggle with sin and continue to disappoint the Lord and disappoint ourselves. Now that we have new life in Christ, we need to look again at what happens when we sin and how this sin affects our relationship with God.

 

Thinking about relationships:

How would you feel if you failed another person who is very important to you?

 

How would these feelings affect your actions and behavior in that relationship?

 

How would you be affected if you knew the person did not forgive you? How would you be affected if they did forgive you?

 

Sin affects our fellowship with the Lord. God knew it would. So he wrote about it in order for us to understand.

Read 1 JOHN 1:5-2:2

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THE CONTEXT, why sin is so damaging? (1:5)

 

What does it mean that God is light?

 

Why is it significant that there is absolutely no darkness in God?

 

Note that we didn’t lose the relationship with God (we are still his children). But something of great value was damaged – our fellowship. (Fellowship is a rich term that describes a harmonious, close connection with God in which we experience his pleasure, guidance and love.)

 

 

1 The first thing man cannot say (1:6)

 

What is it that we cannot claim?

 

What are the consequences of walking in darkness?

 

While we didn’t lose our relationship with God we did lose something of great value – unhindered fellowship. Thus, it really matters when we sin. It affects us. More importantly, it displeases the Lord.

 

 

2 The second thing we cannot say (1:8,10)

 

In your words, what are these verses saying?

 

These passages raise a universal problem. Our ongoing sin affects our fellowship with God.

 

God has a solution for this problem! (1:9)

In the Light there is no darkness

 

 

 

If we walk in darkness we don't have fellowship with the Father.

Fellowship, Confession and Repentance 

 

The solution for our sin is clarified in chapter 2:1-2. There we discover how God forgives us. Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate solution for our sin.

 

SUMMARY

 

WRONG APPROACHES:

♦  My sin doesn’t matter.

♦  I’ve done nothing wrong.

 

In your understanding, what are some of the consequences of these wrong approaches?

 

THE THREE RIGHT BEHAVIORS:

♦  Walk with God in light of who he is, our sovereign, holy, righteous Lord.

♦  Openly agree with God about your sin.

♦  Seek to avoid sin.

Lord, keep me humble. My heart is not as it should be. I am frail. I need you. 

According to 1 John 1:9, what should I do when I become aware of my sin?

 

Confession involves agreeing with God.

♦  Agree that we have sinned.

♦  Agree that he has forgiven it.

♦  Turn away from the sin.

 

TAKING STEPS NOW

 

1. CLAIM CHRIST’S PROMISE.

He said he would forgive you.  

In prayer, thank God for continuing to cleanse you from all sin.

 

2. CONFESS SPECIFIC SINS.

Make a list of any sin of which you are currently aware. Confess it to God, writing 1 John 1:9 across the page. Tear up the list.

 

3. CHOOSE TO AVOID SIN.

Be aware that by ourselves, we lack the ability to change or avoid sin. We must rely on God’s power.

 

Forgiveness is part of God’s plan of making all things new. Believers can start everyday fresh because of Christ’s forgiveness.

 

If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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