The Apostle John describes in 1 John 1. 8. 9 two ways of seeing our sins and the consequences of each of them: the first is the refusal to recognize our state of sin (8); the second is an attitude of humble and honest recognition ( 9) It is in this last attitude that we will focus this article.
John says, “If we confess our sins, is it faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse ourselves of all injustice?(9). Admit? It literally means saying the same thing, that is, agreeing. Context clearly shows that confessing our sins means agreeing with God’s diagnosis that we are sinners and that we sin.
- Although Roman Catholic doctrine teaches the need to confess to a priest to obtain absolution.
- The context of our passage clarifies John’s teaching: we must first confess our sins to God.
- Because only He can forgive us and suppress our fault.
- Other scriptures teach us that on certain occasions it is necessary to confess our guilt to those who have been aggrieved for our sins.
- So that communion interrupted by our error may be restored (Lk 15:21).
What all true believers experience in confessing their sins is that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us of all injustice (1 John 1:9). Is it about being trustworthy?Loyalty or reliability is one of God’s attributes. Their loyalty is always to keep what they promise. God will keep his promises of forgiveness to His people, promises that were sealed with the blood of Jesus (1 John 1. 7), when we humbly confess our sins to Him; thus, we know that the security of forgiveness is not a matter of feeling. that we have been forgiven, but of God’s fidelity to what He has promised, and cannot fail (2 Tim 2:13).
John adds that “God is just? To forgive our sins (1 John 1. 9). The sacrificial death of Jesus is certainly the substance of this declaration. God will do the right thing: He will forgive us and cleanse us of all evil, because Jesus Christ has already paid for our guilt.
John mentions two things that the faithful and righteous God will do if we confess our sins: forgive them and cleanse ourselves from all injustice; First, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins (9); forgiveness in the Greek language, when used in relation to sin, does it mean?Repurchase? Or cancel. ” Second, God is faithful and just to cleanse us of all injustice (9; see vers. 7). This last sentence emphasizes another aspect of God’s forgiveness: it removes the stains and consequences of sin in our lives.
The forgiveness God promises us through confession is not an incentive to continue to sin. The manifestation of God’s forgiveness and grace is for a sinless life. Anyone who abuses confession as a way out of sin has certainly never really been forgiven by God and is wrong. himself.