If We Confess Our Sins

In our previous study, we saw that walking in the light is the necessary mark of those who have fellowship with the God who is light (1 John 1:6–7). Today’s passage prevents an obvious misunderstanding of that teaching. Some might conclude that walking in the light means living without sin altogether, and that any continuing experience of sin is incompatible with genuine Christian profession. John writes to correct this notion before it can take root.

The structure of these three verses is built around three “if” statements that mirror one another. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves (v. 8). If we confess our sins, God forgives us (v. 9). If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar (v. 10). The first and third statements describe two forms of the same error, the denial of sin in the believer’s life. The middle statement describes the right response, which is the ongoing confession of sin and reception of forgiveness.

John’s first concern is to deny the perfectionism that some had apparently embraced. The false teachers in his orbit appear to have claimed a state of sinlessness that placed them beyond the ordinary moral struggles of the Christian life. John flatly denies that this is possible for anyone in this present age. To say that we have no sin is to deceive ourselves and to show that the truth is not in us. The honest believer, walking in the light of God’s holiness, becomes more rather than less aware of his remaining sin, just as a clean white surface reveals the smallest blemish.

But verse 9 prevents the opposite error. The recognition of remaining sin should not drive the Christian to despair, as though continued failure proves that he is not truly converted. Rather, the right response to sin in the life of the believer is confession. When we confess our sins, John writes, “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Two attributes of God anchor this promise. He is faithful, meaning that He will keep the covenant promises He has made to forgive His people. And He is just, meaning that this forgiveness is grounded in the satisfaction of His justice through the death of Christ.

The Christian life is therefore lived in this rhythm. We walk in the light, growing more aware of our remaining sin. We confess that sin to the God who is faithful and just. He forgives and cleanses us. And so the journey continues, until at last the struggle ends in the new creation, when we are made altogether like our Savior.