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Mercy for the Repentant, August 20
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
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All are fallible, all make mistakes and fall into sin; but if the wrongdoer
is willing to see his errors, as they are made plain by the convicting Spirit
of God, and in humility of heart will confess them... , then he may be
restored....
The mansions that Jesus has gone to prepare for all who love Him will
be peopled by those who are free from sin. But sins that are not confessed
will never be forgiven; the name of him who thus rejects the grace of God
will be blotted out of the book of life. The time is at hand when every
secret thing shall be brought into judgment, and then there will be many
confessions made that will astonish the world. The secrets of all hearts
will be revealed. The confession of sin will be most public. The sad part
of it is that confession then made will be too late to benefit the wrongdoer
or to save others from deception. It only testifies that his condemnation
is just.... You may now close the book of your remembrance in order to
escape confessing your sins, but when the judgment shall sit and the books
shall be opened, you cannot close them. The recording angel has testified
that which is true. All that you have tried to conceal and forget is registered,
and will be read to you when it is too late for wrongs to be righted.... Unless
your sins are canceled, they will testify against you at
that day
The prophet Daniel was drawing very near to God when he was seeking
Him with confession and humiliation of soul. He did not try to excuse him-
self or his people, but acknowledged the full extent of their transgression.
In their behalf he confessed sins of which he himself was not guilty, and
besought the mercy of God, that he might bring his brethren to see their
sins....
To all who seek Him with true repentance God gives the assurance: “I
have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy
sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee” (
Isaiah 44:22
)
[239]
29
The Review and Herald, December 16, 1890
.
30
Ibid
.
245