I love it when God boasts in his Son. Sometimes he does it very loudly (i.e. “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” Mt. 3.17). Other times it is more subtle. This morning in studying 1 John 1 I came across a more subtle but no less profound episode of divine boasting.
In 1 John 1.9 we read, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
In this passage God is urging beleivers to put aside pretending and performing as a Christian past time and instead get down to the business of walking in the light (1.6-7). In order to do this we need to do something with our sin. What is the answer? Confess it. Christians are to continue to confess their sin to God. We are to continually be aware of, acknowledging, and confessing our sin.
You may say, “how does this demonstrate a boasting in Christ?”
Good question. God is saying that the waters of Christ’s merit are deep and pure enough to cleanse all of your sin (v.9). You cannot overuse, dillute, or evaporate the infinite merit of Christ! It stands full, sufficient and pure to cleanse you from all your sins!
This of course is not only for you, but for me also; and all who have ever and will ever trust in Jesus. Do you see the infinite value of Christ’s blood?! In the Old Covenant the Priests would bath on the Day of Atonement (Lev.16) in the laver for cleansing. But here in the New Covenant we all bath in the laver of Christ’s atoning blood! We are made pure by and through it.
Don’t miss the Trinitarian boasting here. God is saying, “Bring your filth. Bring your sin. Bring your impurity. Come, confess it and be cleansed. My Son’s blood is eternally powerfully and entirely sufficient to cleanse you from your sin!”
This divine boasting should compel our confession even as it fuels our joy.
