Days of Refreshing #28 Corrected

In I John 1 we have one of those statements that we love to cling to as a promise. But as we look at it in the flow of it's context, ir really is more a statement of fact about being refreshed.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Notice what we have here are 5 consecutive "if/then" statements. The first, third, and fifth are negative, while the second and fourth are positive. The negative three statements say this: Don't live a lie; don't say you are sinless, because you are not; don't try to hide your sin from yourself, God, or fellow believers. The two positive statements say this: Live honestly: confess your sins; be real with fellow believers and yourself, and you will be cleansed and refreshed. Simply put, there is no refreshing without cleansing, and there is no cleansing without honesty, confession, and receiving forgiveness. Take the time to do that today.