“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
In one way it was so easy…the other…so hard. Several years ago, after an extended break, I decided to start riding my bike again. I’ve been walking for quite a while…actually since I was about two. Just kidding…not that kind of walking…the exercise kind. Ever since I fell way out of love with any sort of running, walking has been my go-to exercise. I’m pretty good at it too. I can still “pick ‘em up and put ‘em down.” I usually walk a mile in about sixteen minutes…which isn’t half bad.
They say it is good to change up your exercise routine, so I pulled out my trusty, older Diamondback bike, aired up the tires and started riding again. My bike may be a couple of decades old, but she is still a good riding machine. I knew, in spite of my regular walking, that biking was going to be a little challenging. The reason? Different muscles. The muscles you use to walk and the ones you use to pedal are totally different. So, I could definitely feel the pain…especially going uphill.
While Harrisburg doesn’t have any real hills, we definitely have some uphill grades and my legs let me know right away when I was there. I usually do an out and back which means going out I can coast down the hill but coming back seven miles later it is ouch city. By the time I reach the top of “the hill” my heart rate has jumped, and my legs are feeling the burn. Isn’t that funny…same road but different direction with dramatically different results. Remember, it is always easier to go downhill than up. Always.
The other day I was thinking about that principle when it occurred to me how true it is when it comes to sin and repentance. The road to sin (you know the stuff that God says not to do) is always downhill. It is way too easy to coast right into a mess and the further you go…the bigger the mess. So, let’s say you decide enough is enough and you decide to turn around. Yup, the uphill ride to repentance is never as easy as the ride out was. Gratefully, God is always there to help you home, but it still takes His power and our will power to stay on course.
Someone said that no matter how far we have walked away from God, the return trip is only one step…the first one. While that is true, we still have to feed the determination to stay the course because that downhill slope is always calling us to go back. Me and a bunch of other imperfect people are so grateful for 1 John 1:9 which says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” It’s great to know that His grace will be waiting on us to carry us…even push uphill toward home. Always, and I do mean always, He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 
Amen, He loves us enough to discipline us and help us get back on track. Was it Billy Sunday who said, ‘Don’t box with God, He has the reach on you.’ I learned that the hard way many years ago. Running from Him much like C.S. Lewis described, where he said he finally gave in, admitted that God was God, and prayed…perhaps the most reluctant convert in all of England.’ Then he added, ‘But who can duly adore that love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape?’ Amazing love He has for us. As you say, I’m so grateful for 1 John 1:9 and our Father’s love.
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