1 John 1:5-10

1 John 1:5-10 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Let's say that you and I are going out to dinner at the best restaurant in town, and I'm paying.  I tell you where to meet me, but you haven't been there before.  You do know how to get to another restaurant, however, so you go there instead, because it's easier and more comfortable to you.  So you eat dinner, and the food is ok, but we'd agree that you missed out on great food, free food, and the pleasure of my company, right?
  That's sort of what we do when we ignore our sins.  God has offered us forgiveness, and God has paid the price for our sins.  God offers us the peace and joy of forgiveness, but it's important that we acknowledge our sins and confess that God, and God alone, can pay the price for our sin.  We can't do this on our own.  No matter how hard we try, only Christ can offer the atoning sacrifice that will rid us of the stain of sin.  Now, we are promised that God will be faithful and forgive our sins.  We just have to be willing to endure the discomfort of confession to find the peace of forgiveness.