Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
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: Hi windjammer, I don't know exactly what your friend says, but there is probably a little truth in what he says. As far as his saying that there is no longer a need to pray for forgiveness: If we have confessed a sin and look to Christ as the Savior for that sin, I would agree that there is no need to continually ask for forgiveness for that sin. He is faithful and righteous to forgive that sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If that same sin unexpectedly occurs or tempts us, then it is time to get our eyes off the sin and look to the Savior. We should then focus on Him and get to know Him better. If we know Him, we will keep His commandments. If we have a recurring sin, then we need to look for added strength and focus. We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The one who does the will of God abides forever and we have an annointing from the Holy One. And we know that He is righteous. 1 John 2:6, "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as (He) walked." 1 John 1:5, "...God is (Light)." When we sin we lose some of our joy but we do not lose our salvation. We need to walk and abide in the Light. We are to be lights in the world, just as He was the (Light) of the world. I agree, windjammer, that we should confess our sins, especially any new sin, so that we can know His forgiveness. But it is in the rependance, the putting aside of that sin, that our communion is restored. 1 John 1:6,7, NASB, 1995, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." From the heart, Ray |