First, the OSAS Interpretation on 1 John 1:8 does not fit the context. Especially when John states, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:4). In fact, we see no surrounding text tell us anything to support the idea that the truth is not in us if we say we are not always sinning (Important Note: 1 John 1:10 says almost the same thing that 1 John 1:8 says; So it is not support or proof that the Bible is clearly telling us in another way that we always be in sin).
Second, the idea of saying we are always in sin would not be true, either. It is very easy to not sin for a day and or even a week being a born again believer in Jesus Christ. We can retreat to a forest and we can pray for a week with God’s Word, or we can simply pray so as not to be led into temptation and remove ourselves from sinful things. If you do not think it is not possible to do such a thing, do you think a person can stop sinning for 5 minutes? How about an hour? Jesus says,
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." (Matthew 26:41). Paul says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God
is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear
it." (1 Corinthians 10:13). If such is the case, then the OSAS interpretation on 1 John 1:8 is clearly false.
Three, 1 John 1:8 is a warning to the person who denies sin’s existence: This is basically a person saying that "sin" does not apply to them in regards to their right standing with God. For as I said before, 1 John 2:4 says the same thing, but using different words. 1 John 3:4 says “sin is transgression of the Law.” Laws are the same thing as Commands. So not keeping the Commandments is sin. In light of this fact, this is what 1 John 2:4 says, “He that saith, I know him, and
keepeth not his commandments [i.e. sins], is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” In other words, when one says they walk with God and yet they sin, the truth is not in them (according to Scripture) because they are ignoring sin (by breaking the commandments) in their self professed walk with God. For he that commits sin is of the devil (1 John 3:8), and all who do evil hate the light (John 3:20).
Also, Christian Scientists think sin is an illusion and that it does not exist. OSAS Proponents think that for a believer in Jesus, all sin is paid for (Including present and future sins that are not confessed). But 1 John 1:9 says, “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). So they deny the consequences of sin in relation to their right standing with God (Making it seem like sin has no effect in regards to their salvation). They deny confessing sins so as to be forgiven because they already believe they have been forgiven for all time (In regards to their right standing with God). But wouldn’t God have to agree with this wrong way of salvation or sin in order for such a plan of salvation to work? Can God agree with sin? Surely not. For God is good and all His ways are righteous and holy.
Four, who is the “WE” in 1 John chapter 1? The word “we” is an impersonal generic reference to everyone. While John was writing to certain believers warning them about the false gnostics who were trying to seduce them (1 John 2:26), we have to realize that the “we” is talking to all men. Please take note that I just said “we” in this last past sentence (using in the same way that John does). The Bible was ultimately written to all men. So while there are many instances where one writer is talking to a specific people or person, we also have to realize that many times their message had a wider application to ALL of mankind because it was to be divinely inspired Holy Scripture to lead man to have a right relationship with God.
Here is one way of stating 1 John 1:8 in the KJV,
“If we say that we have no sin [when we do sin], we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).
Here is another way of saying it,
“If we say that we have no sin [in the sense that sin does not apply to us or that sin does not exist], we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).
Anyways, I hope this helps.
May God's love and peace always be upon you.
Side Note:
All words in brackets in blue is my commentary to Scripture.
Have a blessed day.
And take care.
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