Walking in God’s Light/Living in Fellowship With Him (Part Four)

John tells the believer, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Here, John emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's sinfulness, since we’re never at any time free from our sinful nature. If anyone who claims to be without sin is deceiving themselves, and the truth is not in them as an active and controlling force that shapes our thoughts and attitudes. It highlights the reality of human sinfulness, even for believers, and the importance of acknowledging this rather than denying it. This sets the stage for verse 9 which discusses the need for confession of sins and God's faithfulness to forgive and cleanse those who confess. The verse directly contradicts the idea of sinless perfection, meaning the belief that a Christian can live a life completely free from sin. That happens when we’re glorified by God. Be encouraged!

Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible teacher & expositor