“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2
Why can we confess our sins and look in faith to God for pardon and forgiveness? How can a holy God be faithful and just in forgiving us all our sins? It is because our Advocate, Jesus Christ, who lived a righteous and holy life in our stead, made full atonement for our sins and the sins of all when He suffered and died on the cross.
O gracious and merciful God, forgive my sins and grant me pardon for the sake of Christ’s perfect righteousness in my stead and His perfect sacrifice for my sins. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]