our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This verse may be one of the most misquoted, misunderstood and misapplied verses in the New Testament. Why? I believe in large part due to the lingering effect within protestant churchs of the teaching on confession by the Roman Catholic Church.
Of course our desire to earn God's Love and our own salvation and the aversion to admitting we need God's solution to our rebellion, instead of our own, also feeds into this.
In considering this question of confession, we must ask and answer whether Christ's Forgiveness is based on the work of Christ or on some work we do such as our confession.
I would suggest the misunderstanding is primarily a matter of hermeneutics.
Instead of extracting from this verse what the author meant (exegesis) we tend to read into it what we believe (eisegesis) beforehand. To clearly understand this verse we must understand the context. Not just the immediate context but that of the entire book as well as the rest of scripture.
John opens the book talking about Jesus. Who he is and his first hand experience of seeing and living with him while Christ was on earth.
The Word of Life
1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
John's desire in writing this letter is that those among his readers would come to know Jesus as John does, " ...so that you too may have fellowship with us..." and "so that our joy may be complete..."
John not only desires his readers are sure of their salvation but that he is also sure of their salvation so he may find joy and assurance in knowing. In short his desire is to help his readers be sure they know Christ.
He also restates this objective in conclusion near the end of the book...
1Jn I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
When you read everything in between these opening and closing statements, John repeatedly goes on to give ways one can know if they are truly believers or not. There are several "if...then" scenarios John lists throughout the book indicating what a true believer looks like, how do we know if we are one and what to do if we are not.
1Jn_2:4 Whoeversays “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
1Jn_2:5 but whoeverkeeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
1Jn_2:6 whoeversays he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1Jn_2:9 Whoeversays he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
1Jn_2:10 Whoeverloves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
1Jn_2:11 But whoeverhates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1Jn_2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
1Jn_2:23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
1Jn_3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
1Jn_3:8 Whoevermakes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
1Jn_3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoeverdoes not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
1Jn_3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoeverdoes not love abides in death.
1Jn_3:24 Whoeverkeeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
1Jn_4:6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoeveris not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1Jn_4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1Jn_4:15 Whoeverconfesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
1Jn_4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoeverabides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1Jn_4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1Jn_4:21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1Jn_5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.
1Jn_5:10 Whoeverbelieves in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.
1Jn_5:12 Whoeverhas the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
The point being this letter is not only to believers. In fact in great part it is seeking to help his readers determine whether they are true believers or not and how they can know.
So given this context, what exactly is 1 Jn 1:9 telling us?
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This is one of several "if...then" scenarios John gives early in this letter. If we say or do this, then this is what it says about us.
1Jn_1:6 If wesay we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1Jn_1:7 But if wewalk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn_1:8 If wesay we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn_1:9 If weconfess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn_1:10 If wesay we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
We will come back to these verses shortly.
After going through this introduction John lays out that the basis for our forgiveness in I John 2:1 which clearly says the work of Christ alone is how and why we are forgiven.
1Jn 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He (alone) is the propitiation for our sins...
Propitiation is simply another word for atonement.
G2434 ἱλασμός hilasmos hil-as-mos'
atonement, that is, (concretely) an expiator:- propitiation.
atonement:
atonement:
1.
2. Theology. the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends.
especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/atonement
You will also note he starts out chapter 2 calling his readers "little children" suggesting what he's about to say is for true believers. Whereas he first chapter he's clearly attempting to convince those who are not believers why they should be and how they can be.
In the first chapter he points out that acknowledging we are sinners i.e. recognizing our sin, is the basis for entry into Christ's forgiveness. This is what 1:9 is clearly telling us. It is not the basis for ongoing forgiveness. That is addressed elsewhere in the book; particularly in 1:7 (which we will look at more closely further down) and 2:1-2.
In the first chapter he points out that acknowledging we are sinners i.e. recognizing our sin, is the basis for entry into Christ's forgiveness. This is what 1:9 is clearly telling us. It is not the basis for ongoing forgiveness. That is addressed elsewhere in the book; particularly in 1:7 (which we will look at more closely further down) and 2:1-2.
Is confession important
The question is not whether there is value in confessing/acknowledging/repenting of our sins. Of course there is. This passage is our proof. We are also are encouraged in James 5:16 to confess to our sins to one another. However outside the passage in question we don't see anywhere in the NT (and surprisingly less then we may think even in the OT) that we are told to confess our sins to God as his children. This may be a shock to some. If so, I encourage you to dig into to scripture and see for yourself.
The question is on what does God base the forgiveness of our sins; the work of Christ or on our "confession of sins." Using 1 John 1:9 to promote the notion that our sins are not forgiven as God's children until confessed to God, not only does not fit the *context of I John itself but the entirety of scripture.
The question is on what does God base the forgiveness of our sins; the work of Christ or on our "confession of sins." Using 1 John 1:9 to promote the notion that our sins are not forgiven as God's children until confessed to God, not only does not fit the *context of I John itself but the entirety of scripture.
As true believers we must acknowledge our sins i.e. clearly admitting when and where we commit them and turn from them in order to participate in and experience all God has for our advancement in our walk with God not in order to be forgiven. Admitting where we blow it is for our benefit and that of others, not for God's. He's already forgiven us because all that is necessary to do so has already been done.
Verbal consent or true repentence
True confession (actually it would be more correct to say true repentance) includes not simply admitting we sin but a full turning away from them, not merely verbally acknowledging our sin. This is the point of true confession by a believer. Forgiveness is not.
Verbal consent or true repentence
True confession (actually it would be more correct to say true repentance) includes not simply admitting we sin but a full turning away from them, not merely verbally acknowledging our sin. This is the point of true confession by a believer. Forgiveness is not.
Simple verbal admission of sin is actually harmful if we believe it's the grounds for a believers forgiveness or the goal of our confession. The goal of confession in this approach becomes forgiveness only. Once we have confessed, mission accomplished...our sins are now forgiven (or so we are told by some). Nothing else needs to be done. This allows us to not truly address our disobedience and turn away from it (but rather an excuse to avoid it) since our obedience is not the goal of this kind of confession, only forgiveness is... or so we think.
True confession for the believer is turning away from sin, not just admitting we have sinned. For the unbeliever however admitting they have sinned and are sinners is an absolute prerequisite to receiving forgiveness. Hence John's comments in 1:8-9.
1Jn_1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we do we are promised he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse of from allunrighteous. Why? Because in 2:1-2 we are told Christ is the basis of that forgiveness. Confession is merely the means by which forgiveness comes to the unbeliever, not the cause of it, even for the unbeliever.
If you look at the context of chapter 1 John is clearly appealing to nonbelievers in these early verses.
Verses 7 - 10 are hypothetical scenarios if you are a believer or nonbeliever. The point is he is giving hypothetical examples of what needs to happen if a particular problem presents itself. John tells us if we claim to be a believer but do certain things, we simply are not.
1Jn_1:6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1Jn_1:7 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 cleanses us from all sin.
Walking in the light is clearly a reference to believers in contrast to unbelievers who walk in darkness. Note, confession plays no role in the blood of Jesus cleansing those who walk in the light from sin. It is ongoing merely by virtue of them being (walking) "in the light." This simply means they are believers in contrast to an unbeliever. In fact this is the only reference to a believer in these opening "if/than" scenarios. But only to make a point to the unbeliever.
If we walk in disobedience to Christ (walk in darkness) we are not truly believers (we lie) but if we are a believer, our walk will be characterized by faithful pursuit of God (walking in the light). We will also love being with other believers (i.e. "...have fellowship with one another..."). And since forgiveness is based on the blood of Christ, it covers whatever sins we do commit ("...the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us [present continuous action in the Greek] from all sin..."). Being a Christian doesn't mean we are sinless/perfect, it means we are forgiven ("it is finished" and not based on our efforts) and we therefore desire and seek to be faithful.
1Jn_1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn_1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we think we do not have a sin issue, we are deceived. However if we admit (confess) that we do, he is faithful to forgive our sins because of the work of Christ on our behalf (vs 2:1), not our work or confession.
1Jn_1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
If we deny we have a sin issue, this is evidence we do not know him at all. Being aware of our sin is actually evidence we know him. Again one of several "markers" given by John to help his readers know if they are true believers or not.
In conclusion, based on the context of the book of John, the common explanation that ongoing forgiveness of the believer requires our confession simply doesn't fit the context of the book and is poor hermeneutics.
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