And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

As promised last time, let’s think together about God’s faithfulness to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Before getting started on God faithfulness in forgiveness, let’s be clear that God does not forgive us on the basis of our confessions or how sincere or dramatic they may be. That would be forgiveness based on us. Rather, though God is faithful to His people, but the primary reason is that He is faithful to Himself! Why, and to what/whom?

First, He created us in His image, so He is faithful to His image bearers. While fallen human beings desecrate the image of God many ways (from murder to abortion, to overeating, and under exercising), God is faithful to His own image in which He created us.

Second, God is faithful to His promises. He promised to forgive the sins of His people and to renew our fellowship with Him every time we confess our sins. We can be assured that He will because He promised that He will.

Third, God is faithful to Jesus and to Jesus’ sacrifice for His people’s sins. Jesus paid for His people’s sins. Our Heavenly Father accepted that sacrifice as payment in full. If God failed to forgive any of His people’s sins, that would be unfaithfulness by the Father to the Son. That will never happen.

Why and to what/whom is God faithful when it come to forgiveness and cleansing from His people’s sins? He is faithful to Himself and to His image, stamped exclusively on human beings. He is faithful to His promises. And He is faithful to His Son, Jesus. I’d say that affords us immeasurable security and assurance, wouldn’t you?