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.
In 1 John 1:9, the verse emphasizes the importance of confession and repentance in the context of maintaining fellowship with God and experiencing His forgiveness and cleansing. To understand the verse better, let's look at its surrounding context in 1 John 1:5-10:
"5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
Here, John is addressing believers and highlighting the nature of God as light and the necessity of living in alignment with that light. He contrasts walking in darkness (sin) with walking in the light (righteousness and fellowship with God).
Verse 8 acknowledges the reality of sin in our lives. None of us is without sin, and claiming otherwise is self-deception. However, verse 9 offers hope and assurance. It says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Confession involves acknowledging our sins before God, expressing genuine sorrow for them, and turning away from them (repentance).
The phrase "he is faithful and just" highlights God's character. He is faithful to His promises and just in His actions. When we confess our sins, God forgives us not because we deserve it, but because of His faithfulness to His covenant promises and His justice satisfied through Christ's sacrifice.
This verse underscores the importance of humility, repentance, and ongoing relationship with God. It reminds believers that forgiveness and cleansing are available through confession and that maintaining honesty about our sinfulness is crucial for a healthy relationship with God.
