I John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Chistianity-being a Christian– is to be Christ-like. John wrote this epistle as a father would write to his children. Sin breaks our fellowship with God. Remember that in the Garden of Eden God came daily for fellowship with Adam and Eve. After they sinned they hid themselves from God. False teachers denied that mankind has a sin nature. Verse 8 says otherwise. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. They also denied that their conduct was sinful. John said it was a lie. Look at verse 10 again. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. We are sinners by nature and by practice. After we become Christians we still sin and we must confess it. The blood is still needed to cover those sins as well. If we’re saved we have been accepted by the Father. We confess our sins that we commit after salvation because it presents a barrier between us and the Father. Sin breaks fellowship. Why must we confess? We agree with God that we did sin. With that confession is to be a desire not to do it again. By confessing we don’t try to conceal it. We admit it and ask God for power to overcome it.
God does not lie. Verse 10 tells us that if we say we haven’t sinned we’re calling God a liar. Since God doesn’t lie, who then is lying? We are! Sin always has consequences. It affects us spiritually as well as those around us. It is self-deception to say you have no sin. As a Christian, you’re either growing and getting closer to the Lord or you’re going away from him. Look at these things: how’s your personal devotion time? Are you in the Word? How’s your prayer life? Do you spend less and less time reading the Bible and praying? We’re seeing a falling away from the house of God. God rewards our faithfulness to his house? Why aren’t people coming as they should? The bottom line is they don’t want to.
In John’s day sin had lost its meaning. It takes humility and honesty to admit you’ve sinned. Pride says “it’s not me.” We try to blame others–the spouse, the kids, work, school. I remember when lots of things used to be considered sin and now they are not. We have to look hard these days to find anything that’s considered sin. When this is happening, we make God a liar. He is not a liar. We do sin.
Confession is needed. Come to the conclusion that you have sinned and admit you’ve done wrong. Ask God to forgive you. You cannot cover sin. The only covering is the blood of Jesus. That’s the way it is. Cleansing comes after the confession. Sin makes us feel dirty because we are dirty. Get under God’s fountain and be washed. Be forgiven. Admit the sin and cleansing will come. He will forgive you. He is constantly interceding for us. Admit shortcomings to God. We all need his help in the struggles of life.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 