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"If we confess our sins..."

Text: 1 John 1:9

THE QUESTION OF CONFESSION OF SIN

The following text is often quoted by many. Let us examine this text carefully.

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

1. “If we confess our sins”

a) At first glance this sentence seems straightforward.

b) However we note that this is also a Second Class conditional sentence.

c) Was there real confession of sin?

i) John questions the attempt made by some.

ii) John has his doubts.

2. Remembering John’s first teacher

a) John was one of the disciples of John the Baptiser.

b) He was with Andrew when he first heard John the Baptiser identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36).

c) John must have remembered that on one occasion the Baptiser questioned the motive of some of the people who came to him for baptism.

d) John the Baptiser called this group of people, “brood of vipers”.

i) This was a reference to the Sadducee and Pharisees who came to John for baptism.

ii) They had made a show of confession of their sins.

iii) John demanded that they show fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:7-10).

3. The problem does not lie with God

a) The Person of God

i) He is faithful.

ii) He is just (righteous).

b) He will forgive and cleanse the heart of those who are truly repentant.

4. The focus of what John was saying

a) He expressed doubts about the sincerity of some.

b) There must be first true repentance from sin.