"The Truth"                                                                

1 John 1: 8 - 10 ⁸If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!  Alleluia, Christ is risen!  Alleluia, Christ is risen!

The Truth will set you free.  We know that Christ died for our sins.  This passage has two meanings and both meanings are correct and should be used at the same time.  One meaning of this passage is that we should be truthful and admit that we are sinners and we have and will sin.  Admittance is the first part of the road to repentance, that is, we should admit to ourselves and confess to God our sins.  We might take a lesson from our Catholic brothers and sisters as they go to confession to do just that confess and repent.  Saying this I really am not looking to hear your sins, rather I would like to be assured you went to your knees and shed some tears as you honestly confess your sins to the one who can forgive them.

          Jesus gives us an example of confession as we read about the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:10-14.  The Pharisee offered up a list of his good deeds and pompously put down the tax collector. The tax collector gave a confession admitted that he was a sinner, with tears showed remorse for his sins and pleaded for forgiveness and mercy.  This example was not just about praying, but very much about an honest confession.

          The second meaning of this passage is whether or not we have Christ in us as He is the Truth that will set us free, as we read in John 8:31-32.  Jesus is the Truth, He is the only one who can free us from the clutches of the law that demands we pay the full penalty for our sin.  We know the full penalty is eternal death, which is an eternal punishment of torment, which is an everlasting discomfort to say the least.  We can tell the truth and should, however without the works of Christ we cannot overcome death. 

We need to have the Truth in us and that can happen when we abide in His word, and that can only happen if you are truly His disciple, which only happens if you are studying His word.  It is the works of the Holy Spirit and the word of God that we receive Christ in us.  God's word also helps us receive and fuel the Spirit.

          1 John 1:1 - 7 ⁵This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

          We know Christ died for our sins He took the punishment we deserve for us so we don't have to die.  We should know and rejoice that Christ was resurrected so that we who believe Christ is our savior may live.  It is a true statement saying that Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the word of God are all working toward leading all people to believe.  

          1 John 5:1 - 2 ¹My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ²He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

          "The Truth" is that we have an advocate and He is Jesus Christ.  Christ our savior through His works on the cross paid the ultimate ransom for our sin.  It was God's plan from before the fall of Adam and Eve to save what He holds precious in His heart.  God did not create us to die.  God created us to live so that He can have an everlasting relationship with His beloved creation.  We are that beloved creation that Christ died for.  We are that loving creation that Christ resurrects in the last days to live eternal on a new earth in a new heaven.  Wow!  The magnitude of this concept!  Our God is awesome.  Alleluia, Christ is risen!  Alleluia, Christ is risen!  Alleluia, Christ is risen! Amen.  Amen.  Amen!