Faithful To Forgive

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:8-10

Notes

If we claim to be without sin we are filled with arrogance and pride. This asserts that we see ourselves as undefiled, totally sinless. Those that boast such a thing boast of moral perfection and holiness. Perfection of perfection, someone who can do no wrong. We are leading ourselves astray. A.W. Pink says, “Such is the Divine diagnosis here made of their condition: the omniscient Physician (Christ) declares them to be most awfully deluded”. Our feeling of being lofty, more excellent than any on earth is a foul smell in the nostrils of God.

John writes this first book of three in the present tense and in a singular form. It would be like me sitting before you and stating emphatically, “I claim I am without sin.” Your response may look something like this, “Who made you Jesus?” And that is the point! 1 Peter 2:22, He (Jesus) committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. Essentially if we claim to be without sin we are then claiming to be equal to Jesus. Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?” None can say they are sinless in action, word or deed. We must acknowledge we are sinners and run to Christ pleading for forgiveness of all.

If we confess our sins, this takes action on our part. In scripture ‘If’ is used 1,637 times, 993 in the Old Testament alone. The root of sin dwells in all of us and has since the fall of man in Adam (Genesis 3). God wants us to discover our own weaknesses, our sins, and our corrupt condition. When we realize our deprivation we recognize our need for a holy God. Confession of sin should not be considered optional but necessary.

“Take words with you, and return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.”’

Hosea 14:2

There are four reasons why we are to confess our sins:

To honor God.
To obey God.
To be conflicted and affected by our offenses.
To confess our sins so that we can maintain our communion with God.

“Communion with God produced frank and honest dealings with Him, bringing things out into the open.”,

A.W. Pink

King David acknowledged his sinful state in 2 Samual 24:10, “David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”’

Confessing our sins is freeing since it brings honesty and ownership of our offenses and it allows us to not hide those offenses from God or even ourselves. If we humble ourselves before the Holy God, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. This may seem painful at the time but we should see it as a great encouragement. In Nehemiah 9:17, God is described as ‘The God who pardons‘.

God’s forgiveness of sin is a great act of mercy toward us who do not deserve it. This act of pardoning us is God’s act of being faithful and just. He is being faithful to His promises and His covenants. Justice is shown in Christ since we were purchased by His sacrifice on the cross. This should supply us with great comfort and confidence in going before the Holy God and confessing all our sins so that we may be forgiven and then receive purification from all unrighteousness. We should have great assurance that God is ready to pardon us from our all sins.

If we claim we have not sinned, again the Apostle John is reiterating the prideful and boastful state of ‘If we claim’. In scripture, when we read a repeated word or statement, the writer is trying to capture our attention. This is where we head into the crux of the full situation. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us. A liar is someone false and faithless. Is God false? Is God faithless? Of course not! He is not a liar. Throughout scripture we know and it is stated that God hates liars. For instance,

These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Proverbs 12:22

The disdain that God has for anyone who lies is clear. We know He is not a liar and those who do lie His word does not dwell in us. We do not have a relationship with Him. I encourage anyone who is reading this that you would examine your life by the standards God has put into place. Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior? Do you go to Him regularly to confess your sins, ask for forgiveness and then receive the purification? Do you read scripture regularly to know the truth of sin and the great price that was paid so that you might be saved?

If you do not know Christ as Savior, receive Him today so that you can receive forgiveness of your sins, enter into an intimate relationship with the Holy God, and receive all the blessings that God gladly gives to those who receive Him and keep His commandments.

–P. D. Deckard