We read 1 John today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Verse 9 has always been a verse that set me free! Recently I have had discussions with people who believe that we do not need to confess our sin. They say that God's grace means that we don't have to even confess our sin. The first problem with that thinking is that the Epistles were written to the churches! They were written to born again, Spirit-filled believers who were being taught the Word of God!
Actually, the root of the problem is a lack of understanding of understanding of the original language here! "Confess" is the Greek word "homologeo", which means: to assent, acknowledge, to say the same thing as another, to agree with, to concede, to admit. In other words, to confess when we sin simply means to recognize that what we have thought, said or done is contrary to God's Word! It is NOT sobbing, wailing, tearing your clothes or your hair, weeping for hours, or standing in front of people and giving a play by play of everything you've done wrong. Confession is prerequisite for RECEIVING the forgiveness that has been freely given. THIS is a SET FREE verse!
1 John 1:9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
Now look at verse 10 and see what God thinks about not confessing (acknowledging) sin!
10 If we say (claim) we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts].
God's Grace is POWERFUL and it is OURS! Recognize when you have missed it in thoughts, words, or actions. Then receive the already provided and continually cleansing forgiveness that JESUS paid for! AMEN! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Splinters and Stones":
Shalom in Him!
