12.12 Understanding 1 John 1:9
The favorite verse which is commonly used to support the practice of regular confession of sins by believers to receive forgiveness is 1 John 1:9.
(1 John 1:9)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Those who believe that this verse is for Christians are saying that forgiveness of sins is received only when they confess their sins. When they fail to confess newly committed sins, these sins are held against them. These could be sins committed in action, thought, attitude or speech. Should they die with any unconfessed sins (big or small), they would be condemned to hell’s fire. They would have to confess their sins all the time to maintain their righteousness and salvation.
This verse is inconsistent with Rom 4:8 which says that our sins are not imputed. It is inconsistent with the many other verses we shared earlier on the eternal work of Jesus. Let us now explain this apparent inconsistency. This verse actually refers to the confession of sins for “salvation”. It does not refer to the confession of specific sins by a believer.
In 1 John chapter 1, John was dealing with the wrong teachings of Gnosticism that had crept into the Church. Gnostics believed that salvation was by special knowledge (gnosis) rather than faith in Jesus. They denied that their immoral actions were sinful and they denied that they had sin. They also denied that Christ came in the flesh. There were Gnostics among the believers and their teachings were influencing the believers.
John begins his epistle in 1 John 1:1 by telling the Gnostics among the believers that Jesus did come in the flesh. He said that he had seen and touched Jesus. In verse 2, John declares the eternal life of Christ to the Gnostics so that they may believe and have fellowship with the true believers. Then in 1 John 1:8 & 10, John repeats twice to the Gnostics that they were in error by saying that they had no sin, and thus did not need Jesus.
(1 John 1:8-10)
If we SAY WE HAVE NO SIN, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NOT SINNED, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
He gave them the solution in verse 9 saying, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” John was not dealing with specific acts of sin as he uses the phrase “cleanse us from all unrighteousness”, referring to repentance for salvation.
Subsequently, in John 2:1, John directs his letter to true believers, addressed as “my little children”, saying, “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” He points us back to Jesus our High Priest who upholds our righteousness.
(1 John 1:9)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Those who believe that this verse is for Christians are saying that forgiveness of sins is received only when they confess their sins. When they fail to confess newly committed sins, these sins are held against them. These could be sins committed in action, thought, attitude or speech. Should they die with any unconfessed sins (big or small), they would be condemned to hell’s fire. They would have to confess their sins all the time to maintain their righteousness and salvation.
This verse is inconsistent with Rom 4:8 which says that our sins are not imputed. It is inconsistent with the many other verses we shared earlier on the eternal work of Jesus. Let us now explain this apparent inconsistency. This verse actually refers to the confession of sins for “salvation”. It does not refer to the confession of specific sins by a believer.
In 1 John chapter 1, John was dealing with the wrong teachings of Gnosticism that had crept into the Church. Gnostics believed that salvation was by special knowledge (gnosis) rather than faith in Jesus. They denied that their immoral actions were sinful and they denied that they had sin. They also denied that Christ came in the flesh. There were Gnostics among the believers and their teachings were influencing the believers.
John begins his epistle in 1 John 1:1 by telling the Gnostics among the believers that Jesus did come in the flesh. He said that he had seen and touched Jesus. In verse 2, John declares the eternal life of Christ to the Gnostics so that they may believe and have fellowship with the true believers. Then in 1 John 1:8 & 10, John repeats twice to the Gnostics that they were in error by saying that they had no sin, and thus did not need Jesus.
(1 John 1:8-10)
If we SAY WE HAVE NO SIN, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NOT SINNED, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
He gave them the solution in verse 9 saying, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” John was not dealing with specific acts of sin as he uses the phrase “cleanse us from all unrighteousness”, referring to repentance for salvation.
Subsequently, in John 2:1, John directs his letter to true believers, addressed as “my little children”, saying, “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” He points us back to Jesus our High Priest who upholds our righteousness.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 11:20 PM
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