ANSWER: We must put our trust in the Word of God as little children! John said in I John 2:1, “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.”

An advocate is one who pleads the case of another. This is what Jesus Christ does for us in the presence of the Father. Just before this verse, in chapter one, John assures us that if we walk in the light (the light of God’s Word) that the “blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (vs.7). In verse eight, we are told that all people sin, but “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (vs.9). This verse clearly tells us that Christ will not fail us (He is faithful). This simply means that when we confess our sins, turn from them in repentance, and pray to the Father through the Son, that forgiveness is guaranteed and granted in full measure! The sins are gone completely and God will remember them no more (Hebrews 10:17). At this point, we need to follow the example of the apostle Paul. He said, “ . . . forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). So then, we need to forget and press on! To press on means to walk in the light! It means to serve our Lord with all of our strength. If we do this our thoughts will be turned from sin and will be focused on our Lord and what we can do for others in His service. There will be found no place for the Devil (Ephesians 4:27)!

In your letter, you express fear of attending worship services because of distress over your sins. God wants all of us never to forsake the assemblings of the church. This would also be sin (Hebrews 10:25). It is during these assemblings that we gain strength and are edified (built up). It is a time when brethren are to provoke one another unto love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). It is a time when we are spiritually fed the Word of God, without which one would die spiritually. Please always attend all of the services of the church!

Please also be assured that no matter what your past has been, if you, as a child of God, have turned from your sin and prayed to God through Christ for forgiveness, it is done! Be assured too that He has said, “I will never leave thee or forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5) and that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:37-39).