I would like to share what has become probably the most important verse in my relationship with my heavenly father, I John 1:7. When I am following my convictions and doing what is good, all it takes to feel connected is to think my thoughts to the father (pray). However, what happens when I sin and lack faith in my paradigms?

In the past I focused on I John 1:9, which says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I took this verse to mean that in order to be forgiven of a sin, any sin, I needed to tell the Father the specific sin I had committed. Also, Matthew 6:12 says, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” So after I had sinned and wanted to restore the relationship I would say something like, “Father, I lusted; please forgive me” or “Father, I was lazy; please forgive me”.

Now these verses brought tremendous bondage into my life. I was always worrying that I had not confessed my sin correctly, or that I had forgotten to confess a sin. These two verses became an integral part of how I viewed my sanctification. Sometimes I would spend long periods of time searching my mind for how I had sinned and pleading with the Father to forgive me, hoping I was doing it right.

At some point, I realized that what I was trying to do was impossible. If I had to confess every sin in order to be forgiven and have a relationship with the Father, I was doomed. So, how should I John 1:9 and Matthew 6:12 be interpreted. I am not entirely sure, but I tend to think that these are some of the possible evidences of having a close relationship with the Father. When you sin, it will burden you, and you very well might share your failing with the Father.

However, you would not be doing this to receive forgiveness. This happens in a different way. I John 1:7 is a verse I quote to myself all the time, but especially after I have failed. It reminds me that the Father does not require any pleading or penance in order for us to receive forgiveness. Rather, as I John 1:7 so beautifully states, “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.”

What this verse means to me is that if I stop what I am doing that is sinful and start following my paradigm again, then I am forgiven and have fellowship with the Father. Fellowship can always be restored in an instant. I just have to choose to do so. Now there are still times when I allow guilt to consume me, and these I am trying to fight against. I believe guilt while you are engaged in sin is good, but any lingering guilt after the moment you start doing right is not, because according to Romans 8:1, there is no condemnation to those who are in the Christ Jesus/Yeshua.

So, here are three quick things you can do when you realize you have strayed from walking in the light.

1. Stop. Whatever it is that you are doing or thinking that is not right, cease doing that.
2. Start. Whatever you believe is the action or thought you should do right now, do that.
3. Thank. Consider expressing your gratefulness to the Father for His unbelievable forgiveness. You could have just done the worst sin imaginable, but the moment you leave it behind, He is waiting with open arms to fellowship with you and give you His favor!

The Apostle Paul said in Romans 5:20 that “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” The Father’s amazing grace seems even more amazing after each time I sin. Does this make me more likely to sin? Not at all! You see, once you grasp this concept, you can begin to look at sin more objectively and think of ways to help you avoid it rather than just moaning over your sin and pleading with the Father for forgiveness. You can conquer your failings with inspiration rather than guilt.