1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
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.
1 John 1:0 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
First of all, "if we say we have no sin" That is, to say there is no such thing as sin. We do not have sin in our lives is the idea. Not so much the denial of a particular sin, as much as denying the principle and that sin is present in our lives. If a person is saying that ( which some false teachers known as Gnostic's were saying at that time ) then we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
So, these two things then are a fact about the person who denies sin.
Self deception, and the truth is not in us. If we refuse to admit that we are sinners, we are deluding ourselves, and we are leading ourselves astray and way from the truth. The Word of God of course says we are sinners. If don't agree with God's Word, then the truth of God's Word is not in our lives.
Secondly, "if we confess our sins etc, etc"......to confess, means to agree with God. When God says something is so, and we agree with Him, then we are confessing. We are saying the same thing that God says. And, of course, that's what we can do with our sin, and our sins. We can confess them to God, agree with Him about them, and then, here's what God will do with our sins. To confess our sins, is to say the same thing about sin that God does. That's all. It's that simple and clear.
He is faithful to forgive us our sins.
And to cleanse of from all unrighteousness.
So, God is faithful, dependable, and He forgives, removes, forgets, sends away our sin, and our sins. It happens from Him as we confess to Him etc, etc.
And, He then cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Which means, to make us clean, to purge, to purify us. To free us from defilement, from wickedness, guilt, etc. This is what the Lord does.
We agree with Him, we say the same thing He does about sin, and we receive these two blessings. Forgiveness and Cleansing.
Here's the last thing in this first chapter.
1 John 1:0 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Again, John is fighting back against those who deny that we are sinners, and that we sin. If you are saying that, then, you are making God a liar. And, His word is not in us.
God has clearly stated in His Word about sin. We are sinners. It's very clear all through the Bible. So, to deny what God says, is to say that God is lying. That God has not said that etc, etc. And if you deny that God has not said that, then you certainly don't have God's Word in you.
The next thing that's said in chapter 2, also has to do with sin. And, it's why this letter was written.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Thank You Father.
