1 John 1:1-10: a reflection

1That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life 2(and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us); 3that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled. 5This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t tell the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

John writes plainly about sin and forgiveness, and he holds two things together. First, he refuses to let us pretend we have no sin: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But second, he gives a wonderful promise for those who honestly own their sin: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The way is not to pretend we have no sin, but to confess it honestly; and the promise is full forgiveness and cleansing.

Notice the two things John holds together: honesty about our sin, and the promise of cleansing. We are not to pretend, claiming we have no sin, which only deceives ourselves; we are to confess our sins honestly, owning them before God. And to those who do, the promise is sure: God is faithful and righteous to forgive and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness. Confession, honest owning of our sin, is met not with rejection, but with faithful forgiveness and cleansing. The way to be clean is not to deny our sin, but to confess it and receive God's cleansing.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can be tempted to deal with our sin by denying it rather than confessing it. We can pretend we have no sin, minimizing or hiding it, rather than owning it honestly; but this only deceives us and leaves us unclean. The way to be clean is to confess, to own our sin honestly before God, who is faithful to forgive and cleanse. Do not pretend you have no sin, hiding or minimizing it; confess it honestly to God, who is faithful and righteous to forgive and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. When you are aware of sin, do not deny it, but confess it, and receive the forgiveness and cleansing God faithfully gives to those who own their sin before him. The way to be clean is honest confession, met by God's faithful forgiveness, as John promises: if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive and to cleanse us.

Lord, John writes plainly about sin and forgiveness, and holds two things together. First, he refuses to let me pretend I have no sin: if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But second, he gives a wonderful promise for those who honestly own their sin: if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The way is not to pretend I have no sin, but to confess it honestly; and the promise is full forgiveness and cleansing. Show me the two things John holds together: honesty about my sin, and the promise of cleansing. I am not to pretend, claiming I have no sin, which only deceives me; I am to confess my sins honestly, owning them before you. And to those who do, the promise is sure: you are faithful and righteous to forgive and to cleanse. Confession is met not with rejection, but with faithful forgiveness. Take that to my heart, for I can be tempted to deal with my sin by denying it rather than confessing it. I can pretend I have no sin, minimizing or hiding it; but this only deceives me and leaves me unclean. The way to be clean is to confess. Keep me from pretending I have no sin, hiding or minimizing it; help me confess it honestly to you, who are faithful and righteous to forgive and to cleanse me. When I am aware of sin, keep me from denying it; help me confess it, Lord, and receive the forgiveness and cleansing you faithfully give to those who own their sin before you.