“I’m OK – You’re OK” was published originally in 1969 and authored by Thomas Harris – sold over 13 million copies. This article is not intended to be a commentary on that book. It is intended to correct the belief that every person is automatically OK in God’s eyes. We are OK in that we were created by Him in His image and likeness but we have a problem that needs resolution before we are truly 100% OK – that problem is sin.
Every human being is a sinner, we all fall short according to God’s Word and we are all headed for disaster if we do not separate sin out of our lives. So how does this work?
1. Confession – We must first admit that we are sinners if we can be helped. Sin is like cancer, it will kill the soul if not removed. The Bible tells us that if we say we are not sinners, we are calling God a liar.
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 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, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:6-10
2. Cleansing – We must ask God to forgive us and remove the sin. Just like a physician, God is prepared to help us with the removal of sin if we ask Him. We must be truthful with God. He promises to take away our sins if we come to Him and simply ask. Most people do not ask for a number of reasons but the truth is that unless we trust God and believe God, we will die in our sins. If you are not a believer in Jesus, you can change and believe that He died for your sins and accept His complete pardon. That moment that you believe enables God the Holy Spirit to wash you white as snow and come into your heart. That moment is the most important moment that needs to happen in your life. It determines your eternal destiny – heaven or hell. If you are already a believer, you still have the ability to sin and it will harm you if you don’t confess your sins as often as necessary. Believers who sin are not in danger of losing their salvation but they do affect our relationship with God and future rewards for obedience.
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
3. Completion – If you are a Christian and you have come to Christ for salvation, you are now OK! The Bible calls this righteousness. In fact, you cross over from sinner to saint when you have your sins forgiven – it is all by grace, a gift that you can only receive by faith in the work of Christ on the cross.
Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24
