I have had more debates about 1 John 1 v 9 than any other verse in the Word, preaching on the unconditional and complete forgiveness of God means I will always get this verse thrown at me.
What most people do not do in this debate however is read other verses, including one just a few verses away.
If you read 1 John 1 v 9 in isolation and out of context I see how you could believe that you have to continue confessing sin in order to be forgiven.
However I know that there are other verses that tell me I have been already forgiven because of the shed blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1 v 7 and Colossians 1 v 14).
And if I continue reading 1 John I see a verse that tells me I have already been forgiven because of Jesus (1 John 2 v 12).
So is God confused? Did John make a mistake? What on earth is going on?
Well, it would be confusing if you thought all of 1 John was written to the born again believer, however reading this letter clearly shows us that the first chapter is not for a Christian.
The content matter shows John writing to Gnostics (heretics trying to take over the early church) and then writing to believers from 1 John 2 v 1.
“My little children” is his term for believers, there is no mention of this in chapter 1.
Chapter one talks of not being in the light and not having fellowship with Jesus; I for one know I have this!
No, there is no confusion and no error, we have already been forgiven and as a gift of grace through faith been made righteous.
1 John 1 v 9 cannot be for born again believers as we already have been made righteous and have no unrighteousness to be cleansed from; but a Gnostic or unbeliever has!
Stop looking at your sin and start looking at your Son, the Lord has chosen not to remember your sin so why should you?
Speak this out today…..”Thank you Lord that I have been forgiven and as a gift of grace through faith been made righteous”.
1 John 1 v 9…..If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
1 John 2 v 12…..I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his names sake
Heilan Word Ministries 