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NASB | 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 1:9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. |
Bible Question:
I am a mature Born Again Christian and have a friend that is also a mature Born Again Christian man. We have length discussions on Christian topics and the Bible, have both attended many Bible Studies and I have facilitated bible studies for over 10 years now. One belief that my friend has is that once we have been sanctified and professed Christ as Savior, there no longer is a need to pray for forgiveness. He studies the Bible constantly and reads many books by noted Christian authors. He maintains that once we are forgiven and the Holy Spirit lives within us, that there is no need for furthur forgiveness. This is not to say that he is a sinner and blatantly lives a pagan lifestyle while professing to be saved as he doesn't. He simply is a sinner in the same perspective that all of us are in spite of the fact that we try to live a virtuous sin free live. Any suggestions as to how I might approach what I believe is a mistaken belief. I believe that we must seek forgiveness with each conviction of sin in our lives????? This simply restores communion with God in my mind even though we are still saved!!! Need some wisdom from another mature learned Christian. |
Bible Answer: Greetings windjammer; Many Christan's have been taught, or wrongly believe, that now that they are saved, there is no need for further confession of sins committed by acts of comission or omission, so we can receive forgiveness. But what does God's word truly have to say about the matter, is what matters. The answer can be found in 1 John. The Epistle of 1 John was written to believers. Look at: 1 John 5:13 These things have I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; Since 1 John is written to YOU BELIEVERS, it is of utmost importance to look at how the pronouns are used in 1 John Moving on lets read the following text observing all the pronouns which I Capitilized: 1 John 1:7 But if WE (BELIEVERS) walk in the light, as he is in the light, WE (BELIEVERS) have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth US (BELIEVERS) from all sin. 1 John 1:8 If WE (BELIEVERS) say that WE have no sin, we deceive OURSELVES, and the truth is not in US 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. It is clear from verse 7 that: if WE BELIEVERS continually walk in the light, we remain in fellowship with God, and receive continual and ongoing cleasning from His blood. Or as the familar song asks: "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." Since sin in the life of a Christian is a reality, because we often stumble and slip, sin in the life of a Christian should never become habitual in nature. Also unconfessed sin in the life of a Christian takes us out of fellowship with God, and confessing and turning from sin restores us to fellowship. (see verse 7 again) Lastly we don't confess our sins to a priest, but we confess our sins to God, to whom we remain accountable to. Hope you find this helpful |