Still Becoming, Always Forgiven 1 John 1:9 - Personal blog of Trisha Rapley, Australian Author.

I am not without sin. I stumble in thought, in word, and in action. There are moments when I know better and still fall short, and others when I fail without even realising how far I have drifted. Sin is woven into the human condition—not as an excuse, but as a reality of life in a fallen world. Yet even here, Jesus remains unchanging. His forgiveness does not lessen with repetition, nor does His mercy grow tired of my returning. When I repent sincerely, He meets me not with condemnation, but with grace.

Jesus understands the weight of being human. He knows temptation, weakness, and struggle, yet He remained without sin so that He could walk beside us in ours. He does not merely observe our actions; He searches our hearts. He sees the intentions we carry, the wounds that influence our choices, and the longing within us to be made whole. Where the world is quick to judge behaviour, Jesus looks deeper—at motive, at humility, at the posture of repentance. A heart that turns back to Him is never ignored.

Repentance, then, is not about shame or punishment; it is about restoration. It is the act of returning to truth, of realigning the soul with God’s will. Each time I confess my sin, I am reminded that forgiveness is not earned through perfection but received through surrender. Jesus does not keep record of my failures; He erases them, choosing relationship over rejection, mercy over wrath.

But grace is never permission to live carelessly.

To follow Jesus is to desire transformation, not comfort in wrongdoing. I am called to remain true to my faith, to my values, and to the quiet convictions placed within me by the Spirit. This requires discernment, a constant attentiveness to what I allow into my heart and mind. Discernment teaches me to recognise what slowly leads me away from God, even when it appears harmless at first. Not every temptation is loud; many arrive subtly, dressed as distraction, compromise, or justification.

To avoid sin, I must learn to pause. I must ask myself whether a choice brings peace or unrest, clarity or confusion, humility or pride. Prayer sharpens this awareness. Scripture grounds it. Stillness allows God’s voice to rise above the noise of impulse and desire. When I stay close to Jesus, my conscience becomes clearer, and the space between temptation and action grows wider.

Staying true also means choosing integrity when no one is watching, resisting patterns that weaken my spirit, and walking away from environments that dull my sensitivity to God. It means being honest with myself about my weaknesses and wise enough to set boundaries before I am tested. Community, accountability, and humility all serve as protection, reminding me that I was never meant to walk this path alone.

Even so, I know I will stumble again. Growth is rarely linear, and sanctification is a process, not a moment. But each fall does not define me—my return does. Jesus does not measure my life by how often I fail, but by how often I turn back to Him. He is patient in my becoming, faithful in my refining, and gentle in His correction.

In Him, I am both forgiven and formed. My sin reminds me of my need; His mercy reminds me of my hope. As I repent, discern, and remain true, I am slowly being shaped into someone who reflects His love more clearly.

Not perfect, but willing. Not sinless, but sincere. And always held by grace.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Lord,

I come before You with honesty, knowing I am not without fault. I acknowledge my sin, my weakness, and the moments I fall short of who You are calling me to be. Yet I thank You that Your mercy is greater than my failures and that Your forgiveness meets me every time I repent.

Thank You for seeing my heart and not turning away from me when I stumble.

Create in me a clean heart, Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. Help me to recognise temptation before it takes root and grant me discernment to walk away from what draws me from Your truth.

Strengthen my resolve to choose integrity, obedience, and humility, even when it is difficult or unseen.

Teach me to stay close to You, to listen for Your voice, and to remain sensitive to Your guidance.

When I fall, give me the courage to return quickly, without shame, trusting in Your grace.

Shape me through repentance, guard my heart with wisdom, and lead me daily toward holiness.

I place my trust in You, knowing You are patient in my becoming and faithful in Your love.

May my life reflect Your mercy, and may my heart remain soft, surrendered, and willing.

Amen.

Still Becoming, Always Forgiven 1 John 1:9 - Personal blog of Trisha Rapley, Australian Author.

Still Becoming, Always Forgiven 1 John 1:9 - Personal blog of Trisha Rapley, Australian Author.