Vida en Cristo - El Verbo, lleno de gracia y de verdad.

We have found that most Christians misunderstand what John was saying in 1 John 1:9 by assuming that John is speaking of the confession of our sins one at a time as they occur.  Let us look at what John was saying in 1 John 1: 

5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

8 ¶ If we say that 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. 

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

Please, notice that John, in verse 5, says this is the message (the Gospel)...   John is about to give an overview of the message of the Gospel.  He is outlining that there are two groups most people will fall into.

The first group are those who say they have no sin and thus see no need to call out to a Savior.  These deceive themselves and lie against the truth of the Message (the Gospel Message).  In verse 8, John is saying that if any person says they have no sin (and hence no need of Christ), the Truth (the Gospel message) is not in them (IE. they have not understood they had sin, the need to make Jesus their Lord, and thus are deceived). 

This is because, the fundamental message of the Gospel (vs. 9), which we have heard of Christ, is that we have sin and that He is the only Advocate, with the Father, who is capable of cleansing us of our sin (past, present, and future)!  ALL our sins (past, present, and future) were forgiven and cleansed the moment we made Jesus our Lord!!!

The word "confess" (vs. 9) is translated from the Greek word "homologeo" and means to assent or acknowledge. 

We could paraphrase vs. 8-9 as saying, "If we say we are sinless (and therefore have no need of a savior), we deceive ourselves....however, if we give assent to our sinfulness (acknowledging our need for a savior), then we are acknowledging the second part of Jesus' message, which is that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (past, present, and future)."

No wonder Paul said in Eph. 4 that our born again spirit is "after God made righteous and truly holy!"

In verse 10, John says that those who do not believe the message (that they have sins and need a Savior) have made Him and His message a lie and the Truth (of His Word, the message that He is Lord) is not in them. 

The 2nd group who heard, understood, and acted upon the message are the Christians.  They not only acknowledged to themselves and to God that they have sin, but they called upon Jesus to save them (as Paul outlined in Rom. 10:8-10 by believing in the heart that Jesus is Lord).

1 John 1, then,  is actually written about those who thought they were right with God but were walking in darkness.  In verse 5, John begins a summary of the gospel message for unbelievers, not believers.  "This, then is the message..."  Verse nine is referring to the initial moment of coming to the Lord, recognizing one's sin, confessing and believing in Jesus.  Chapter two then continues by speaking to believers, "My little children..."  Our advocate ever lives to make intercession for us and we can go boldly before the throne of grace to find grace and help in time of need.

This does not mean that a Christian should never repent of their sins.  Repentance is healthy in any relationship, even though the relationship does not end if there is no repentance.  So it is with God.  If we sin, there is benefit in communicating our awareness of that sin to God and thanking Him for His grace. The repentance wasn't necessary to maintain salvation, but was helpful for relationship and sensitivity to the Spirit.  Continual sin without confession can harden the heart and bring self condemnation.