Do you remember the end of the verse of 1 John 1:9? As a reminder… “… and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When we talk about the Lord’s forgiveness there is always the act of restoration. John makes it perfectly clear – when we confess and truly do not want to repeat the behavior/words, earnestly desiring to change – then not only does the Lord forgive, but He restores the relationship.
And to answer the question before asked – yes, He will do it repeatedly, remember His word to His disciples to forgive 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:22; Luke 17:3-4. AMP). If He tells us to forgive others that often, won’t He do the same for us? Besides, unless your repetition is willful and rebellious, you were not attempting to throw His forgiveness away. Another example is when Paul rebuked the church in Corinth and reminded them of the need to discipline the case of the sinning brother. Once the brother did repent, Paul had to return to the church to bring the repentant brother back into fellowship.
The point is that restoration is part of the forgiveness process. When we have committed a sin and then sought the Lord’s forgiveness, the Lord does cleanse us and bring us into righteousness. Also, remember that righteousness is not a big word, but it does have a big meaning As simple and as profound as it is, being righteous means being in right relationship. Not only are we forgiven and cleansed, we are brought into right relationship.
Psalm 103:10-13,
“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him
Many people continue to beat themselves over the head with their sin and don’t walk in the forgiveness and restoration that’s been provided. Psalm shows that in the mind of the Father, the sin doesn’t even exist anymore. When we continue to seek forgiveness or act as unforgiven – we make a lie of Who the Lord is, What He’s said.
“For I will be merciful and gracious toward their wickedness, And I will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:12)
Yes, this is from the Old Testament and Yes, God was speaking of His relationship with the nation of Israel and what God was doing in their midst – but how much more the fulfillment in our lives when Jesus is our Lord! Read Isaiah 43:25, Hebrews 10:17 as further confirmation. So, why do we hold onto sin that has been repented of, forgiven, and been restored. This is what we can walk in. This is who we now are, the sin no longer exists and the Lord does not remember it.
“He shall again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread under foot our wickedness [destroying sin’s power].Yes, You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19. AMP)
