"These things we write..."
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."There is much talk about 1 John 1:9. People quote it in conversion tracts, outlining how to become a Christian. Others use it as a general guideline for how we are to live as Christians--in constant repentance. And still others see it as an impenetrable wall.
The latter may come as a bit of a shock; please allow me explain ... as I so love to do with these posts. :) The verse says that "if we confess our sins," we will be forgiven and cleansed. So what's with all the hypocrisy? Shouldn't we all be clean? Furthermore, it refers to "sins" - plural. Does that mean we need to confess every single one? What if we miss one or two? What about the time I talked back to my parents when I was three? There are probably more sins than I could count! How could I confess them all? It is remarkably easy to take this verse and interpret it to make Christianity seem impossible.
But what about these tract-makers, teachers, and non-Christians? Truly they are logical and coherent in the ways they analyze this verse. But are they right? Or do too many people take this verse--prepare yourself for a shocker--out of context?
"And these things we write to you that your joy may be full." (verse 4). Not that "you may have joy," but that it may be "full." To the greatest degree. The greatest benefit possible. Maximum gas mileage. John then goes on to speak about light and darkness, and walking in the light. He warns the recipients of the letter not to deny their problems, for sweeping them under the carpet solves nothing!
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves ... If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us..." I propose a unique twist to these verses 8 and 9. Try reading them this way: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, [and we're still caught in the sin]... [but] if we [past, present, or future] confess our sins, [relax! And be confident that He'll forgive you!]" That your joy may be full.
John isn't speaking to a group of non-Christians, trying convert them. He's speaking to a group of Christians who are obviously struggling in their faith; John is trying to give them assurance of their salvation! I see this as a dad talking to his brokenhearted child, who's just done something terrible. "I know you feel terrible, like you're not even worthy of God ... but remember back when you confessed your problem with sinning, and asked and thanked God for His forgiveness? Well, then don't worry! You're forgiven! Rest peacefully in that fact, because it makes your joy full."
So many people read this verse and miss John's point. They believe John to be saying, "make sure you confess, because if you don't, you won't be forgiven" ... but that's not his point.
If we say we have no sin, we're deceived and wrong. You can't fix a problem if you just deny it. Rather, rest in the fact that with confession comes forgiveness and (eventually) transformation. God doesn't hold out on us or hold our sins out over our heads. He forgives. So confess, sure - but then relax! Let God's peace come, making your joy full, "so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (2:1)
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home