When talking about forgiveness the other verse I hear about time and time again is 1 John 1 v 9.
Now to be fair, this does seem like one (and only one) verse post-cross that seems to talk about forgiveness being conditional for the believer.
It seems to be saying that we need to confess our sins in order to be forgiven.
How can this be if I teach that forgiveness flowed at the cross with the blood of Jesus?
Well, if you take a closer look at the context of this verse you should be able to see that this is not a verse for the born again believer.
This part of the epistle talks about people not in fellowship with the Lord (verse 6 and not in the light (verse 7).
This part of the epistle is talking to people not in relationship with God, i.e. not believers.
In this context I feel that 1 John 1 v 9 could be talking about the conversion (or salvation) experience; if a person confesses their sin (that is agree with God about their sin) they will benefit from the process of forgiveness.
This is not about confessing (or speaking out and being sorry) about your sin; how could it be, what if you forgot about one or missed one?
Forgiveness is unconditional; it flowed at the cross.
We do not need to do anything to be forgiven.
Please do not build a doctrine out of this verse, confession (in the wrong way people think about it) and repentance (old covenant style) for sin is not for you!
Speak this out today…..”Thank you Lord that I have been forgiven for all my sin through the shedding of the blood of Jesus”.
Ephesians 4 v 32…..And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you
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