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
God’s faithfulness in forgiving sins is a fundamental promise throughout Scripture. As written in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
God, being completely true to His promises (faithful) and always doing what is right (just), forgives our sins and cleanses us entirely from anything wrong within us. He does this because Jesus already paid the penalty for those sins.
Our responsibility:
To believe means to simply confess your sins to Him. When you admit your wrongdoing to God, He keeps His word and acts on His justice to forgive and purify you.
This promise contains several profound truths:
- God’s Faithfulness
- He is consistently reliable in His promises
- His faithfulness is demonstrated throughout Scripture
- He maintains unwavering commitment to His promises
The Condition of Confession
- We must acknowledge our sins honestly
- Confession demonstrates humility and recognition of God’s truth
- It opens the door to receiving forgiveness
The Promise of Forgiveness
- God forgives completely and thoroughly
- He cleanses us from all unrighteousness
- This cleansing goes beyond mere forgiveness to purification
This promise is rooted in God’s character as described in Deuteronomy 7:9, where He is called “the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments.”
The significance of this promise is twofold:
- Immediate Forgiveness
- God forgives our confessed sins immediately
- He acts according to His righteous nature
- The forgiveness is complete and thorough
- Ongoing Cleansing
- He continues to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
- This involves purification beyond forgiveness alone
- It enables believers to live in righteousness and holiness
The Promise Stands
As one of Scripture’s greatest assurances, reminding us that God’s faithfulness extends beyond mere pardon to complete restoration and cleansing. Through confession, we experience not only forgiveness but also transformation, as God works to purify us from all wrongdoing.
A Prayer of Confession
Father God, You are Lord and Ruler over all; there is none like You. Where else can I go but to the One who gave me sight to see Your Son as my Savior? Lord God, glorious God, You are most kind and great. I don’t say that lightly, for I know You are the great Creator of all, the Lord God who made all things. I believe that You are the great forgiver of all sins through Jesus Christ, Your Son, the very essence of You.
Thank You, Lord, that You are a loving and kind God, who provides Your grace to a worm like me, who constantly falls back into sin. I pray, Lord God, help me to listen to Your words and examine my deceptive heart. Reveal to me what is wrong, what is offensive to You, O God. Please provide that way out, as You have promised, when temptations come. You said You would provide a way of escape.
Discernment
That way is in confession, that way is in discernment—seeing sin’s approach. That way of escape is Your Word, a sword for battle, an examiner’s guide, Your Word that shows me when I am in error and how to be in agreement with You.
I confess my sin: (Here, be specific. Even when God knows, it is for our benefit to know ourselves what needs to be asked for forgiveness. It is for our honor and regard for You, Father, and for our trust in the finished work of Christ.)
Acknowledgement
Thank You, Lord, for Your kindness and for choosing me. You are God and I am not. You chose whatever You chose for Your glory and honor. I do not choose You; You chose me to know where to find forgiveness of my sins. All authority is given to Jesus, my Lord. Thank You, Lord, for forgiveness.
 Who is God?
He Lord and Ruler over all, unique and without equal. He is the great Creator of all things, glorious, most kind, and ultimately great. He is a loving and kind God who, out of His sovereign will, chooses and extends His grace to humanity, even to those who are constantly falling into sin.
He is the great forgiver of all sins, and this forgiveness is found exclusively through Jesus Christ, His Son, who is the very essence of God Himself. All authority is given to Jesus, and it is through His finished work on the cross that our sins are atoned for.
Way of Escape
A way of escape from temptation and sin. This way involves confession—a specific acknowledgment of our wrongdoings, which is for our benefit, His honor, and demonstrates our trust in Him and Christ’s work. It also involves discernment, seeing sin’s approach, and relying on His Word. His Word, the Bible, is a sword for battle, an examiner’s guide, showing us when we are in error and how to align ourselves with Him.
Ultimately, everything God does, including His choice to save us, is for His glory and honor. We do not choose Him; rather, He chose us to know where to find forgiveness, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty and unchanging nature.
Remember
God’s character: Most kind, great, Creator, forgiver, loving.
Humanity’s fallen nature: “Worm like me,” “constant sin,” “deceptive heart.”
Grace and election: “Would provide Your Grace,” “You chose me.”
Christ’s mediatorial work: Forgiveness through Christ, His “finished work.”
Role of the Word: Guide, sword, revealer of error.
Purpose of confession: For our benefit, God’s honor.
Love from Jason in Japan
