p. 1 | A Verbal Exposition by Christian Secretary

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1871

A Verbal Exposition.

By Christian Secretary

“IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9.

1. “IF”—a small word: only two letters, but of great local value. A little word, like a small key, may shut up or open great wealth. If, in the construction of language, holds an important place. A man says, If I had done so and so. Yes, indeed—as the representation of neglected opportunities, if is a fatal word. If may have a fearful significance to some by-and-by. Here it is gracious. It is the hinge of salvation. Oh! may it open to us the gates of Paradise.

2. “WE.” John includes himself. He means Christians. Have they sins? Yes. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” What then means this passage, “He that is born of God sinneth not, for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God”? I answer, It means that the new man is created in righteousness and true holiness. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” “The flesh lusteth,” &c. The new nature, “the seed,” that which is “created in righteousness and true holiness,” never sins. You put a good germ into the natural stock, and the fruit will be good; it may vary in quantity according to culture and position; but its quality or flavor will always be good. The old stock, below the graft, will yield bad fruit, sour, worthless. So Paul says that the old nature “is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” always corrupt. “I see a law in my members warring against the law of my mind”—renewed mind. A Christian may sin through ignorance, or frailty, or the force of some sudden temptation. “But though we are in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.” Sin is no longer the regnant law of the soul. It is not only against conscience, but against the prevailing relishments of the heart. “Oh! wretched man that I am; who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

“I sigh from this burden of sin to be free, That hinders my joy and communion with thee.”

3. “CONFESS”—acknowledge. What does confession imply? Sin seen, in its nature and guilt. Sin felt, a condemnation and burden. Sin renounced, as wrong and evil. “Let the wicked forsake his way.” Confession must be sincere and unreserved.

4. “OUR.” A word of possession. In certain relations, a word of great worth and preciousness. Luther says the possessive pronouns in the covenant of grace are of infinite value: “my God,” “our Saviour,” “our hope,” “our salvation,” “our glory.” Who can estimate the evangelical wealth of this word? Bengel, one of the richest commentators, makes great use of these little words and the grammatical constructions of the New Testament.

5. “SINS.” Ah, this is sad—our sins. What a possession of sorrow and guilt and shame! What an inheritance of remorse and woe! Observe—Our sins; not the sins of the world; not the sins of the church; not the sins of our neighbors; not the sins of our enemies; but our sins—of commission; of omission; their number; aggravation.

6. “FAITHFUL AND JUST.” That is God! This is marvelous. This fidelity and justice assure us of pardon. Under law, they would demand our punishment; but under grace, our salvation. God can now be “just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.” Here mercy and truth meet together, &c. This is the glory of the gospel. “It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” “It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth?” “Faithful

and just!” Oh, the wonders of grace!

7. “TO FORGIVE;” cancel—“blot out,” as you draw a pen across a book account, and write on the face, “Settled;” or seal down the page, and write thereon, “Covered,” “never to be opened.” “Having blotted out the hand-writing that was against us—taking it out of the way—nailing it to his cross.” “Having forgiven us all trespasses.” Verily, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity?” Neither the law nor conscience know anything of forgiveness—“but God is rich in mercy.” “The Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sin.” Think of the cost, the fullness, freeness, unchangeableness; and completeness, of the gospel. Blessed, indeed, is the man whose transgression is covered and whose iniquity is hid.

8. “TO CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness.” The stream deepens! The waters here are “a river in which a man may swim,” and where we are constrained to exclaim, “Oh! the depth, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” Justified and washed. Christ is “made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” “Being confident of this, that He who has begun a good work in you, will carry it on to the day of Christ.” Amen!

“How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord; Is laid for your faith in his excellent word.”

Sinner, this is the way of salvation. Say,

“Just as I am, without one plea, Save that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”

—Christian Secretary.