This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but 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. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 1:5-2:2

We all have moral imperfections. Others can see them, but we cannot. As we study God’s Word, the true light of the LORD Jesus Christ shines on us, and our moral flaws become alarmingly visible. When we confess our shortcomings, God will cleanse us – even those tiny specks we cannot see.

Detecting sin is the first step to deliverance from sin.

Our Daily Bread – June 18, 2004