1 John 1:9: The Endless Forgiveness of God

1 John 1:9.. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

This verse is one that we so often cling to in times that we feel overcome and overburdened by our sin, and so we should. Let us look at this great verse this morning, by examining its condition, its basis, and its promise.

Firstly, its condition: "If we confess our sins." So often we expect the mercy and grace of God without confession. Oh how sinful are we when we think these thougths! The kindness, grace, mercy, and love of God mustn't lead us to taking advantage of God by continuing in our sin, but rather they ought to "lead us to repentance" (Romans 2:4). Surely we ought to confess our sin.

Secondly, the basis upon which this verse lies: "[God] is faithful and just." Note that our forgiveness is not rooted in our efforts, but God's justice. Is it our responsibility to confess? Certainly. But even the power to confess comes from the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, God does not forgive us because we have produced righteousness within ourselves, but rather because he is a righteous God who is faithful to his promises to forgive.

Thirdly, the promise that this verse entails: "to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Note the two-fold promise here. So often we stop this verse after "forgive us our sins" and therefore make great effort to "continue in sin that grace may abound" (Romans 6:1). However, this is not the correct pattern laid out in scripture, and this is not what God has commanded of us. Rather, we confess to God that we may firsty be forgiven but that we secondly be sanctified. For God does not love us so much that he allows us to continue in our sin; rather, he loves us so much that he helps us to be freed from our sin. If we confess our sins, he is indeed faithful and just to forgive us, but he is just as much faithful and just to "cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Forgiveness is not the end of God's power, it is just the beginning. God forgives us, and the journey of cleansing unrighteousness begins. Forgiveness and sanctification are two sides of the same coin. For "forgiven sin is fightable sin" (Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins).

Note that there is only one condition in this verse, and that condition lies within our very power. The condition is "if we confess our sins," which is something that we must do. But note the endless forgiveness of God, that is, that if we confess our sins, he will always forgive and cleanse. Amen.

So, what do you need to confess today? Do you feel overweighted and overburdened by your sin? The solution is not bearing the load, but laying it at the feet of Christ. Will it bring humiliation? Yes. Will it bring discomfort? Yes. But will it bring endless forgiveness and cleansing? Yes and amen! Go forth, and confess.