by Dr. Paul Chappell

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth 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 is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to 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."

1 John 1:7-10

You cannot out-sin God's forgiveness. It will never run out.

John Donne was a well-known poet and preacher in England in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Among his many poems on biblical subjects is his A Hymn to God the Father which beseeches God's forgiveness in his own life:

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin, and made my sin their door?
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
And, having done that, thou hast done;
I fear no more.

Donne knew his only hope of forgiveness was through Jesus Christ. He realized his sin, failure, mistake, shortcoming, and misstep. He knew what he had done was wrong. Rather than hiding his sin or living with defeat, he openly confessed his sin before God.

Many religious people in the world confess their sins before their deity. They light candles, say prayers, chant verses, count beads, offer food, and do other things to atone for their sins. Yet only one religion offers complete forgiveness. Only one deity promises to forgive those who offend Him every time they repent.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Every time you sin (whether it's your first time or one thousandth time) God promises to forgive you if you confess your sin. You cannot out-sin God's forgiveness. It will never run out.

Have you been running from God, fearing His wrath for your sins? Have you hidden your sin, ashamed at failing yet again? Don't run away from God, but open your heart in full repentance before Him. He promises to forgive you and accept you into His good graces as if you'd never sinned. Claim His promise of forgiveness every time you fall.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 119:89-176 | 1 Corinthians 8