The New Life by Andrew

Andrew Murray on The New Life: Words of God for Young Disciples Text
Reckon firmly upon God actually to forgive you, and also to cleanse you from sin. Continue in
confession, in casting the sin of which you desire to be rid into the fire of God's holiness until your
soul has the firm confidence that God takes it on His own account to forgive and to cleanse away. It is
this faith that really overcomes the world and sin: the faith that God in Jesus really emancipates from
sin. (1 John 5:5; 2:12)
1Jo 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1Jo 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
Brother, do you understand it now? What must you do with sin, with every sin? To bring it in
confession to God, to give it to God; God alone takes away sin.
Lord God, what thanks shall I express for this unspeakable blessing, that I may come to Thee with sin.
It is known to Thee, Lord, how sin before Thy holiness causes terror and flight. It is known to Thee
how it is our deepest thought, first to have sin covered, and then to come to Thee with our desire and
endeavour for good. Lord, teach me to come to Thee with sin, every sin, and in confession to lay it
down before Thee and give it up to Thee. Amen.
1. What is the distinction betwixt the covering of sin by God and by man? How does man do it? How
does God do it?
2. What are the great hindrances in the way of the confession of sin? Ignorance about sin. Fear to
come with sin to the holy God. The endeavour to come to God with something good. Unbelief in the
power of the blood and in the riches of grace.
3. Must I immediately confess an oath or a lie or a wrong word, or wait until my feeling has first
cooled and become rightly disposed? O pray, confess it immediately; come in full sinfulness to God,
without first desiring to make it less!
4. Is it also necessary or good to confess before man? It is indispensable, if our sin has been against
man. And, besides, it is often good; it is often easier to acknowledge before God than before man that
I have done something (Jas. 5:16).
Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
XII. THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
'Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.' -- Ps. 32:1
'Bless the Lord, O my soul .... who forgiveth all thine iniquities.' -- Ps. 103;2,3
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