Key insights:
The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable. The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may have the forgiveness of sin. We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to expiate our transgression; but he that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall have mercy. SC 37.2
Promise to hold onto:
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 KJV)
What we learn about God:
This chapter is really spot-on for me. Growing up in a Catholic home, I was taught the only way for me to get forgiveness from God was to go through the priests and bishops by paying a certain amount of money and pray certain prayers for x number of times. Ellen White, which the Bible fully supported on this, says that we do NOT need to go through anybody and pay anything to anyone; we go STRAIGHT to God to confess our sins. God does not need any human mediator for us to confess our sins. The only Mediator acceptable to the Father is Jesus and He is doing that very thing right now for us in the Most Holy Place.
Action Step:
Reflect on the humble life of Jesus; for He is the King of the universe and yet He, “… being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:” (Philippians 2:6 KJV) And after becoming a human, “… he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8 KJV) Jesus, who is just (sin-free life while on earth), is the Justifier of our sins. Do not delay when we have offended God. Repent and confess our sins to Him right away for “… he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…”
