Hezekiah sought to turn the nation back to the Lord and invited all to come and celebrate the Passover which had been neglected for many years. A huge crowd gathered in Jerusalem. There were so many people that several, because of time sake, ignorance or lack of enough priests, were not ceremonially clean when they participated. Hezekiah prayed for God to have mercy on these people on the basis that their heart was right in seeking to honor the king's command and keep the Passover. The result of the confession, cleansing and obedience of the people was great joy!
John wrote in 1 John how our "joy could be full". Joy is not something that is manufactured by our effort or the result of good circumstances. Joy is the by-product of our fellowship with God. Sin is what breaks our fellowship with God. We must deal with sin properly so that we can be in fellowship with God and experience His joy!
1. Acknowledge Sin - "walk in the light as He is in the light" - this means to accept God's standard for what is sin and not try to change or ignore it.
2. Admit Sin - "If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves" - be honest when we violate God's standard.
3. Agree about Sin - "If we confess our sin" - take full responsibility for our sin by not blaming others or making excuses.
If we deal with our sin in this way "he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". This renewed full fellowship produces joy!
Walk with the Lord in fullness of joy!!!
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