Confession

[ElijahSK]

I would like to hear what are the views on this topic.

Is 1 John 1:9 a one time occurance for salvation or an ongoing thing in a Christian's walk? Must we keep short accounts? If one was to die with an unconfessed sin would they not make it to be with God?

If you can think of any question along these lines, or have more thoughts feel free to add on.

 

[Optimax]

I would like to hear what are the views on this topic.

Is 1 John 1:9 a one time occurance for salvation or an ongoing thing in a Christian's walk? Must we keep short accounts? If one was to die with an unconfessed sin would they not make it to be with God?

If you can think of any question along these lines, or have more thoughts feel free to add on.

This does not apply to when a person is born again. It applies after a person is saved and sins. We are instructed to confess that sin to God, not that he found out about it when we confessed it, he knew it when we did it. At the time we confess it to him is when we get rid of it.

The scripture says that He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanses us of all unrighteousness. That means that if when we sin we run to God, not from God, and confess the sin we did, not only does he forgive us of the sin we confess, but also cleanses us from the ones we forgot, didn't know we did, etc.

 

[megg]

I think that as one sins, it needs to be confessed, short accounts kept.
I do not think that unconfessed sin is going to keep someone from entering heaven, if they have recieved the eternal salvation.

 

[GustheMule]

This does not apply to when a person is born again. It applies after a person is saved and sins. We are instructed to confess that sin to God, not that he found out about it when we confessed it, he knew it when we did it. At the time we confess it to him is when we get rid of it.

The scripture says that He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanses us of all unrighteousness. That means that if when we sin we run to God, not from God, and confess the sin we did, not only does he forgive us of the sin we confess, but also cleanses us from the ones we forgot, didn't know we did, etc.

I disagree. Although I think confession is a great thing for christians to do as a part of theri sanctification, i really belive that 1 John 1:5-10 in context is an evangelistic pitch by John, before he goes into the meat of his letter to the church. There may be many in the church who aren't saved. John is dealing with this as a matter of first importance. Imagine being a non Christian and reading these verses for the first time! Wow! I wish evangelists of today spoke like that!

 

[Optimax]

I disagree. Although I think confession is a great thing for christians to do as a part of theri sanctification, i really belive that 1 John 1:5-10 in context is an evangelistic pitch by John, before he goes into the meat of his letter to the church. There may be many in the church who aren't saved. John is dealing with this as a matter of first importance. Imagine being a non Christian and reading these verses for the first time! Wow! I wish evangelists of today spoke like that!

I understand what you are saying and I am sure that verse has been used to get people saved.

Consider this. Johns topic here is fellowshipping with God as the scriptures below show. Only a believer can do that.

1 Jn 1:3
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
KJV

1 Jn 1:6
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
KJV

When we sin that breaks fellowship.
1 John 1:9 is how a christain that missed it (sins) restores fellowship with God.

 

[ElijahSK]

Some things to think about. Please bear with me as I am going to post the context.

1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that 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 that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Now I have done a study on this topic which I will type up on to here maybe tomorrow. But I'd like to point out a couple things just in short and maybe ask a couple more questions today in the time I have.

While I disagree with GustheMule, that confession is a great thing to do for sancification (rather to go and sin no more would be desirable for sanctification), I do agree with him on the intent of the author.

It's not merely that I am talking sides or have some preconcieved notions I'm bring to the text. Such a doctrine I would not throw out so easily except it is readily verifiable in the scriptures.

We see in this context John is making contrasts. The contrast between light and darkness. Truth and lie. Fellowship or out of fellowship.

We know no Christian is in darkness. No Christian is of a lie. No Christian could be Christ's without being in fellowship with Him.

Some may have said they had fellowship with Him but walked in darkness. John said they are liars and do not the truth. Some may say they have no sin? This is yet another verse that leads me to believe it is pertaining to salvation. Christ didn't come to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance. If you say you have no sin, you have no part with Christ. Rather you have made your own way into heaven without any need for imputed righteousness. But anyone that has come to Christ has gone through the godly sorrow leading to repentance for salvation not to be repented of. So I would ask, could you be a Christian and say you have no sin? Impossible, then what need is there for Christ? The law is perfect in converting the soul. You have no need for the school master of the law if you have no sin. But all Christians have realized that they have sinned and altogether come short of the glory of God.

Now if we don't say we have no sin, but rather confess we are sinners He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. If we say we have no sin, we make Him a liar and the truth is not in us. Would a Christian make Christ a lie and have no truth in him? Rather would a Christian by John's definition do sucha thing?

If the purpose for what John wrote here in 1:9 was confession of on-going sins, then when he restated if we have no sin the truth is not in us; he should have also restated we need to confess our sins. But what does he say?

1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Here he missed a golden opportunity to make sure he got his point across about confession. But rather he tells us we ought go and sin no more. Then if we do sin, have no fear we have an advocate. Rather than if we sin confess it to our advocate.

Something to think about. If you die with an unconfessed sin will you go to heaven or hell? If you die with an unconfessed sin, that you had opportunity for confess where would you go? Is your salvation sure and full when you have faith in Christ, or is it dependant on your work of keeping short accounts? 1:9 says if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. What sins were covered in the blood when Christ died upon the cross? Past, Present, Future, None of the Above, or All of the Above.

Just some thoughts. I post a good little (not-so-little) study on it tomorrow.

 

[Optimax]

Some things to think about. Please bear with me as I am going to post the context.

1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that 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 that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Now I have done a study on this topic which I will type up on to here maybe tomorrow. But I'd like to point out a couple things just in short and maybe ask a couple more questions today in the time I have.

While I disagree with GustheMule, that confession is a great thing to do for sancification (rather to go and sin no more would be desirable for sanctification), I do agree with him on the intent of the author.

It's not merely that I am talking sides or have some preconcieved notions I'm bring to the text. Such a doctrine I would not throw out so easily except it is readily verifiable in the scriptures.

We see in this context John is making contrasts. The contrast between light and darkness. Truth and lie. Fellowship or out of fellowship.

We know no Christian is in darkness. No Christian is of a lie. No Christian could be Christ's without being in fellowship with Him.

Some may have said they had fellowship with Him but walked in darkness. John said they are liars and do not the truth. Some may say they have no sin? This is yet another verse that leads me to believe it is pertaining to salvation. Christ didn't come to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance. If you say you have no sin, you have no part with Christ. Rather you have made your own way into heaven without any need for imputed righteousness. But anyone that has come to Christ has gone through the godly sorrow leading to repentance for salvation not to be repented of. So I would ask, could you be a Christian and say you have no sin? Impossible, then what need is there for Christ? The law is perfect in converting the soul. You have no need for the school master of the law if you have no sin. But all Christians have realized that they have sinned and altogether come short of the glory of God.

Now if we don't say we have no sin, but rather confess we are sinners He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. If we say we have no sin, we make Him a liar and the truth is not in us. Would a Christian make Christ a lie and have no truth in him? Rather would a Christian by John's definition do sucha thing?

If the purpose for what John wrote here in 1:9 was confession of on-going sins, then when he restated if we have no sin the truth is not in us; he should have also restated we need to confess our sins. But what does he say?

1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Here he missed a golden opportunity to make sure he got his point across about confession. But rather he tells us we ought go and sin no more. Then if we do sin, have no fear we have an advocate. Rather than if we sin confess it to our advocate.

Something to think about. If you die with an unconfessed sin will you go to heaven or hell? If you die with an unconfessed sin, that you had opportunity for confess where would you go? Is your salvation sure and full when you have faith in Christ, or is it dependant on your work of keeping short accounts? 1:9 says if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. What sins were covered in the blood when Christ died upon the cross? Past, Present, Future, None of the Above, or All of the Above.

Just some thoughts. I post a good little (not-so-little) study on it tomorrow.

It sounds like you may be confusing relationship and fellowship. When a christain misses it(sins) the relationship is not broken, the fellowship is. Confessing the sin restores the fellowship as the relationship was untouched. The blood of Jesus which cleanses us is far greater than any sin.

 

[Beasley]

Another passage dealing with cleansing from sin of the believer

19Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 20Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

It is believers that are being told to abstain from wickedness, so it is obvious that believers may commit wickedness. The context lists a variety of sins the believer might commit. Believers are going to sin. As we walk through the world our feet get dirty and need washing but as Christ told Peter we don't need a bath or to be resaved.

When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth he told them they were acting like unbelievers. The main thing is that believers do sin and Paul recognizes it in 3:1-4


1And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
3for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
4For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men?

I don't know why believers have such a hard time admitting they sin. It is not unbelievers that are taking communion in 1 Cor 11 and it very pointedly tells them they better confess or they will be disciplined.

31But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.
32But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

The believer that does not evaluate himself will be under divine discipline so that he will not be condemned with the unbelievers.

Beasley