I can overcome

John wrote, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 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” (1 John 1:5-7). The term “walk” means a way or manner of living. Living cannot be done perfectly, but it can be done faithfully (Romans 3:23).

There is a good illustration of this principle in Peter. In Matthew 16:18, he confessed Christ. After being warned of falling away in Luke 22:31-32, in Matthew 26:75 he denied Christ three times. His repentance is evident as he assembled again with the disciples and preached the gospel of Christ on Pentecost.

In Acts 8:22, Simon was told, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” I can overcome sin if I repent. John wrote further, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10). If we repent, God’s forgiveness is complete. There is an old adage which tells us to not give up, but look up to God and His forgiveness.

Kyle Campbell