Windshield wiper forgiveness

 by David Long

Is God's forgiveness automatic? No. The blood of Christ doesn't automatically cleanse anyone from sin. The sinner must have his sins washed away by being baptized for the remission of those sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). The saint (Christian) must repent of sins and ask God's forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). Some people think that 1 John 1:7 teaches that God's forgiveness is like a windshield wiper, when you sin God automatically wipes it away (forgives). 1 John 1:7 teaches that continued cleansing by the blood of Christ is conditioned on "walking in the light." Which means first one has to be in the light and continue walking in the light. That means living the Christian life faithfully.