DebbieCambridge

What Assurance does John give us if we do sin? That Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and will stand before the Father in Righteousness for us. How does this comfort us? The grace that is given to us by Jesus's standing before the Father for us goes against all that the world believes. It is a huge comfort to know we are Saved! How does it make us want to avoid Sin? As I grow as a Christian the Holy Spirit is showing me my sin, and I recognise it more quickly now. I am also recognising old habits that are sin. It still doesn't make me feel very comforable, but I do feel as though I am being changed into what God planned for me to be. I've got a long way to go, but I have a peace in knowing that God is in control of my life.

Q3. (1 John 1:9) How would you define "confession"? Why is confessing our sins so important? What happens to us if we stop confessing our sins? What are the promises given to us if we do confess our sins? How is forgiveness of sins different from cleansing? Confession is admitting we are wrong. Usually the Holy Spirit makes it pretty clear when we have sinned. Confessing is really important as it humbles us, allows us to realise God's way, shows us we can't live life without God, as it gets messy, and our will is strong. If we stop confessing, we are lying to ourselves and God, and trying to go it alone - and we all know that never works. The promise God gives us if we do confess our sins is that He will forgive us, and help us to change and try again. Forgiveness of sins if just the first stage, then we need to walk in God's light continuouly to be cleansed. It's an on-going process until we leave this earth for heaven.

When a Christian walks in darkness they disobey God, particularly if they know what they are doing is wrong. God is not the focus, the reason, the joy of living, so life typically becomes too hard and messy. We know in our hearts that it's wrong and shame steps in opening a door for the Devil to torment us. When we walk in the light, we fellowship with other Christians, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sin. We need to confess our sin honestly before God and he will forgive us and cleanse us and let us get up and try again. Life is soooo much better with God!!!

I spoke with a non-believer the other day who said the universe sends us love. I thought about that and replied that God is love, and unless we as Christians show the love to one another from God in friendship, acceptance, care and compassion, how else are we going to get that love? I'm sure it doesn't just drop out of the ether! I have recently seen the Alpha Marriage course which has a session on forgiveness. It quotes Corrie Ten Boom being approached by the guard who was responsible for viciously treating both Corrie and her sister Betsey in Ravensbrook (spelling?) He was apparently responsible for Betsey's death. Corrie didn't have any love for him, but through faith reached out to this man and the Holy Spirit of God provided the Love. Sometimes I think we need to open the door of communication and trust that God will be there.

Q1. (1 John 1:3-4, 6-7) Why is our fellowship with fellow Christians so often just on a surface level? How can we have fellowship at a deeper level in Christ? What would it take in your Christian group or your relationships with other believers to deepen your level of fellowship so it is authentically Christian? I don't think we really get time to get to know each other just seeing each other on a Sunday morning at Church. We need to experience life together, and I think you can do that far more effectively in a homegroup that meets each week. That way we can support each other through the hard times, and share the celebration in the good times of blessings. Only when we meet regularly and share our lives honestly in a small group where you can bear your soul and be vulnerable, can you develop trust. Trust is the thing that develops, and then God's love is truly and honestly shared.