WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 59 God.

However much we try to conceal our sins God can see through every
BIBLE STUDY NOTES GREAT PROMISES IN THE OLD human covering – look up and compare Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 23:24;
TESTAMENT Matthew 10:26; Hebrews 4:13. We are all sinners in His sight and nothing can
by Francis W. Dixon be hidden from Him; and because of our sin we are guilty before Him and are
under condemnation – look up and compare Numbers 32:23; Isaiah 53:6;
Ecclesiastes 7:20; John 3:18; Romans 6:23. How, then, can we get rid of our
Study 7 THE PROMISE OF MERCY FOR REPENTANT SINNERS sin? This is the big question!
(Key verse: Proverbs 28:13)
2. HOW GOD GETS RID OF SIN
The ugliest thing in the world is sin. In spite of what some so-called wise God’s method of dealing with sin is to put it right away, to remove our sins from
philosophers, psychologists and theologians say, sin is a reality: no-one but a us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12), to make the sinner “as
fool will deny this plain fact. The Bible says that “fools mock at making amends white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18); to put all our sins behind His back (Isaiah 38:17);
for sin” (Proverbs 14:9) but it’s certain that no sane person will do so. Sin is a to blot out our transgressions (Isaiah 43:25); and to hurl all our sins “into the
stark reality for three reasons: first, because observation says so. We only depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). God’s method of dealing with sin is to free the
have to follow the national news to be reminded that sin is a glaring reality sinner from the guilt and the bondage of sin. He is able to do this because
because every day we read and hear of crime, war, divorce, broken hearts and Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3); because He became our Sin-
homes, and death. Experience also says that sin is a reality. There is no need bearer (Isaiah 53:5-6); because of Calvary! He therefore promises to set us free
to read a newspaper to be convinced about its reality; all we have to do is to from the penalty and the power of sin. He says, “whoever confesses and
look into our own heart and we shall find that it’s unclean (Isaiah 64:6; renounces them finds mercy”. This statement indicates three steps which we
Jeremiah 17:9). But sin is also a reality because God says so – look up and must take to be freed from our sin.
compare Romans 3:10; 3:23; 5:12. The problem which each of us faces is:
(1) We must acknowledge our sin. In other words, we must admit that we are
How can I get rid of my sins? In our key verse two solutions are suggested –
sinners by nature (Psalm 51:5); and that we are sinners by practice
man’s way, which is false and therefore futile; and God’s way, which is true and (Romans 3:23). We must come before God in the words of David (Psalm
therefore successful. 51:4); in the words of Peter (Luke 5:8); and in the words of the Prodigal
1. HOW MAN TRIES TO GET RID OF SIN (Luke 15:21). This acknowledgement of sin must be sincere and it must be
We are clearly told that man tries to get rid of sin by covering it up – “He who made with true penitence – look up Psalm 51:1-12.
conceals his sins…” There are three ways in which men and women try to (2) We must confess our sin. This is more than acknowledging our sins, for
cover up their sins:- confession involves specific naming of our wrong-doings before God, and if
we have sinned against others it involves confession to them. Two verses
(1) By denying them. Very early in life children begin to lie about the things they need to be studied in this connection: the first is 1 John 1:9 and the second
have or have not done: they deny their sins. Cain tried to do this (Genesis is James 5:16; note that confession sometimes involves and requires
4:8-10); Rachel denied her sin and in this way hoped to cover it up (Genesis restitution – look up Luke 19:8. The moment we confess our sins to the Lord
31:19-33); Ananias and Sapphira committed a grievous sin and tried to He guarantees to forgive them. This should also be true when we have to
cover it up by telling a lie (Acts 5:1-11). No amount of denying sin will get rid confess to one another.
of it. (3) We must forsake our sin. This means that we must give up our sins in true
(2) By excusing them. People sometimes say that they commit sin because repentance. We must renounce them (Isaiah 55:7). The Lord Jesus came
they can’t help it, but the fact that they can’t help sinning does not enable not to save us in our sins but from our sins (Matthew 1:21). Compare
them to get rid of their sin. This is just an admission on their part of the fact Hebrews 7:25.
of sin and of the power of sin that is too strong for them.
(3) By minimising them. If you speak to some people about their sin they Man’s way is to cover his sin and this results in guilt, bondage, separation from
immediately reply, ‘But I’m not nearly as bad as So-and-So…” and by God, and in the end – hell; God’s way is that we should uncover our sins by
saying this they have sought to minimise their sin. But however much we try acknowledgment, by confession and by renunciation; and when we do this He
to make out that our sin is not bad or not great, it is still sin. We have still frees us from the guilt of sin and releases us from its bondage. He gives grace
broken God’s law and come short of His demands and we are guilty before to live a holy life and in the end to live with Him in heaven – look up 1 John 1:7-
Him. 10; 1 John 2:1-2.
All our attempts to cover our sins are absolutely futile – “He who conceals his WORDS OF LIFE MINISTRIES
sins does not prosper…” One reason for this is that it is impossible to hide from PO Box 334, EASTLEIGH, SO53 2UB, UK
[Link]