Our Greatest Need As Christians (Part Five)

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D. Our passage is 1 John 1:6-9. John says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Those who confess sins are reassured that God will forgive, and remove that sin's impact on fellowship with Him! Note that even though this passage is written to believers, John states that those who confess sins are both forgiven and cleansed. Though believers are forgiven at the point of salvation, there is also an ongoing sense in which believers need to confess sin and experience forgiveness and cleansing. In view of the teaching of verse 8, believers ought to be ready at all times to acknowledge any failure which God’s light may reveal and expose to them. John teaches that if we’re agreeing with God about our sins (confessing), God forgives them and will “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Keep in mind, only God is aware at any moment the full extent of a person’s unrighteousness. However, each believer is responsible to acknowledge whatever the light makes him or her aware of and when this is done, a total and perfect cleansing is granted. For this reason, there’s no need to worry or agonize over sins of which one is unaware. Walking in the light is what enables us to act consistently with and practice the truth. Walking in the light allows us to act consistently with the reality of the nature and character of God! As long as we walk in the light, we’re in the position to be shown our failures, and when that happens, we should confess them. For the Christian, it just doesn’t get any better than that! Be encouraged to walk in the light.