God's Big Eraser

(Photo: Jennifer and Paula holding Dad's oil paintings - 1969)
We as Christians are the "apple of God's eye", he loves us, we are his "workmanship", the "clay" in the Master potter's hands.  The photo above shows two of my dad's finished paintings.  These aren't great masterpieces, but he worked very patiently and lovingly on each one.  He didn't throw away the canvas or rip it up when he made a mistake.  He erased, cleaned up, used the turpentine, etc... until he finished his work.  The painting on the right was made when he handed me (at age 3) a blank canvas and a pencil.  He took all of my scribbling and made "art" and "sense" out of it.  That's what God can do with our "scribbles!"

I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

"If" - it's a choice, it's up to me, it's an option.
"we" - this is written to the "brethren", "we" are the saved folks, aren't we still "experts" at sinning?
"confess" - openly agree, acknowledge, openly admit, "Yes, I am guilty of that sin"
"our sins" - not anyone else's, not pushing the blame, not being the "victim", admitting to our full culpability and guilt.

We could stop there, but that is not a very hopeful place to be. As Christians, though, it is a wonderful place to be.  When we confess, God steps in and forgives!  Let's look at it phrase by phrase...

"he" - our Lord
"is" - constant, present tense
"faithful" - unchanging, true, trustworthy
"and just" - balanced between truth and mercy, equitable
"to forgive" - to lay aside
"us our sins" - our personal offences
"and to cleanse us" - purify
"from all unrighteousness" - moral wrongfulness

Being a Christian for over forty years has taught me some lessons.  First of all, it's not "if" you sin, but "when" you sin.  We are all sinners and the people we work with are sinners.  Do I gasp and fall out when I hear about a sin? Well, I lose my breath and am disappointed that I couldn't help to prevent the event or attitude, but I do not plunge into despair or lose hope for any Christian in trouble.

God is the God with the "big eraser."  He can cleanse, purify, and forgive all sin.  We still have our own set of consequences for each offense, and we have a tinge of pain and guilt when remembering our faults.  God is not that way.


Psalm 103:12 - As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our 
transgressions from us.

¹³      Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴      For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

¹⁵      As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, 
so he flourisheth.

¹⁶      For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

¹⁷      But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto 
children’s children;

¹⁸      To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

God is merciful and pities his children.  I have told at least fifty young ladies this very thing after they've seemingly messed up their lives: "You're life is not over!" "Don't lose hope!"  "Live fresh from this day on and don't turn your back on God when you sin, He wants to forgive!"

Not all listen, some run away, but some have listened and have wonderful families and testimonies.  Make all right between you and God.  Be ready to confess to Him on a daily basis and keep the pathway clear.  God has that big "eraser" and He can use it to help you!!!