The Error of "Sin is Sin"

[Hosanna]

1 John 1:9 is for us who are saved and then sin. The verse reassures believers that God is faithful and just, meaning He will honor His promise to forgive those who genuinely confess their sins.

In 1 John 1:5–10, the apostle John describes genuine fellowship with Jesus Christ as walking in the light. One way believers walk in the light is by honestly admitting their human tendency to sin: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9).

John portrays God and Jesus as light (1 John 1:5; John 1:4–9). Often, Jesus referred to Himself as light (John 9:5; John 12:35–36). God’s absolute holiness shines light into the utter darkness of a sinful world. Those who desire to have an authentic relationship with God must obey His Word and live in His light. But, to do this, the problem of sin must be dealt with openly before the Lord. John explains, “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:10).

The way to deal with sin is to repent and confess it as soon as we recognize it. Otherwise, guilt will weigh heavily on us, as it did on David (Psalm 32:3–4). “Finally,” David said, “I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:5, NLT).

The word confess refers to admitting a sin. When we confess our sins to God, we agree with Him that we have broken His law and therefore deserve punishment. Confession recognizes that we are wrong—we are personally guilty. Confession confronts our denial of sin head-on. We are humble enough to say, “Lord, I have sinned against you.” And believers who want to walk in God’s light must be willing to let Him deal radically with their lives.

It’s important to note that, at the point of salvation, all of our sins are forgiven. On the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, once and for all time (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:6–11; Hebrews 10:1–18). After we are sealed with the blood of Christ’s covenant, there is nothing we can do that will keep us from heaven (Matthew 26:28). All of our sins—past, present, and future—are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Yet, Jesus taught that believers must continue to seek God’s forgiveness daily (Matthew 6:11–12). After salvation, Christians frequently miss the mark (Philippians 3:12; James 3:2, 8; 4:17). For this reason, John stated, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Sins that are out in the open and confessed to God won’t hinder us from walking in the pure light of genuine fellowship with Jesus Christ.

What does it mean that, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just (1 John 1:9)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just? What is the meaning of 1 John 1:9?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[charismaticlady]

1 John 1:9 is for us who are saved and then sin. The verse reassures believers that God is faithful and just, meaning He will honor His promise to forgive those who genuinely confess their sins.

In 1 John 1:5–10, the apostle John describes genuine fellowship with Jesus Christ as walking in the light. One way believers walk in the light is by honestly admitting their human tendency to sin: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9).

John portrays God and Jesus as light (1 John 1:5; John 1:4–9). Often, Jesus referred to Himself as light (John 9:5; John 12:35–36). God’s absolute holiness shines light into the utter darkness of a sinful world. Those who desire to have an authentic relationship with God must obey His Word and live in His light. But, to do this, the problem of sin must be dealt with openly before the Lord. John explains, “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:10).

The way to deal with sin is to repent and confess it as soon as we recognize it. Otherwise, guilt will weigh heavily on us, as it did on David (Psalm 32:3–4). “Finally,” David said, “I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:5, NLT).

The word confess refers to admitting a sin. When we confess our sins to God, we agree with Him that we have broken His law and therefore deserve punishment. Confession recognizes that we are wrong—we are personally guilty. Confession confronts our denial of sin head-on. We are humble enough to say, “Lord, I have sinned against you.” And believers who want to walk in God’s light must be willing to let Him deal radically with their lives.

It’s important to note that, at the point of salvation, all of our sins are forgiven. On the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, once and for all time (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:6–11; Hebrews 10:1–18). After we are sealed with the blood of Christ’s covenant, there is nothing we can do that will keep us from heaven (Matthew 26:28). All of our sins—past, present, and future—are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Yet, Jesus taught that believers must continue to seek God’s forgiveness daily (Matthew 6:11–12). After salvation, Christians frequently miss the mark (Philippians 3:12; James 3:2, 8; 4:17). For this reason, John stated, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Sins that are out in the open and confessed to God won’t hinder us from walking in the pure light of genuine fellowship with Jesus Christ.

What does it mean that, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just (1 John 1:9)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just? What is the meaning of 1 John 1:9?

www.gotquestions.org

How does this doctrine you believe seem like being conformed into the image of Christ? Jesus said slaves of sin do not get to live in the house forever like sons and daughters do. Jesus was manifested to take away our sin and in Him is no sin. That is why He came, and that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

Do you want to know the real meaning of 1 John 1?

 

[Bardon]

But we do sin.

The verse "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" is found in 1 John 1:8. This verse is part of a larger passage that emphasizes the universality of sin and the necessity of confessing sins for forgiveness. The passage also states that if we claim to not have sinned, we make God a liar, according to 1 John 1:10

 

[charismaticlady]

But we do sin.

The verse "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" is found in 1 John 1:8. This verse is part of a larger passage that emphasizes the universality of sin and the necessity of confessing sins for forgiveness. The passage also states that if we claim to not have sinned, we make God a liar, according to 1 John 1:10

I'll ask you the same question seeing as Jesus does not agree with you nor does John, nor does Peter, nor does Paul. You've been listening to false teachers. "Do you want to know the real meaning of 1 John 1?

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10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What does that mean "you will never stumble."? Doctrines of demons have made you believe the blood of Jesus is not capable of taking away all your sin. Many on this thread believe the same doctrines of death.

 

[alexjennier]

In recent times I have heard an increasing number of evangelicals object to referring to Christians as ‘sinners’. “Christians are not sinners anymore,” we are told, since “they have been made new in Christ“.

Before reacting too fast, we need to understand what is being said and what isn’t. Most often nobody in this conversation is denying that Christians continue to commit actual sins. As this well-known Bible passage clearly states:

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:8-10

It is not only self-delusion to believe in one’s own sinlessness, but it is a personal attack on God’s character. God’s evaluation of humanity is that we are such hopeless sinners that only a sinless saviour from heaven could rescue us. And so evangelicals have long described themselves as ‘forgiven sinners’, ‘sinners saved by grace’, and ‘not good, just forgiven’. The point is to highlight God’s grace in saving us. Rather than being a club of really good and moral people, God’s church is a collection of wretches who have been rescued from their own wretchedness by Jesus.

 

[charismaticlady]

In recent times I have heard an increasing number of evangelicals object to referring to Christians as ‘sinners’. “Christians are not sinners anymore,” we are told, since “they have been made new in Christ“.

Before reacting too fast, we need to understand what is being said and what isn’t. Most often nobody in this conversation is denying that Christians continue to commit actual sins. As this well-known Bible passage clearly states:


It is not only self-delusion to believe in one’s own sinlessness, but it is a personal attack on God’s character. God’s evaluation of humanity is that we are such hopeless sinners that only a sinless saviour from heaven could rescue us. And so evangelicals have long described themselves as ‘forgiven sinners’, ‘sinners saved by grace’, and ‘not good, just forgiven’. The point is to highlight God’s grace in saving us. Rather than being a club of really good and moral people, God’s church is a collection of wretches who have been rescued from their own wretchedness by Jesus.

Hi there and welcome. You probably won't like me, but you will love the majority.

What you are telling us of these increasing number of evangelicals is refreshing and hopeful that there are actually preachers that believe the gospel.

By the way, you are reading 1 John 1:8 out of context just like I've seen on forums for the last 15 years. Check out 1 John 2:4.

How long have you believed there is no strength in the blood of Jesus to cleanse us of all unrighteousness?

 

[Rory Wilson]

We need to take a good look at the gospel. We need to do this for several reasons. First, the gospel is for sinners. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Most Christians tend to think of the gospel as applicable only to unbelievers who need to be “saved.”

Once we trust in Christ, so the thinking goes, the gospel doesn’t apply to us anymore, except to share it with others who are still unbelievers. However, though we truly are saints in the sense of being separated unto God, all of us are still practicing sinners. All the ethical commands and exhortations addressed to believers in the New Testament assume there is still sin present in our lives that needs to be addressed. Among the four uses for which Scripture is profitable for reproof and correction. Again, these uses assume that we still have sin that needs to be reproved and corrected.

So the first use of the gospel, as a remedy for our sins, is to plow the ground of our hearts so that we can see our sin. Stepping forward to accept our place as sinners in need of the gospel each day drives a dagger into our self-righteous hearts and prepares us to face up to and accept the reality of the sin that still dwells within us.

Second, the gospel not only prepares us to face our sin but also frees us up to do so. Facing our sin causes us to feel guilty. Of course we feel guilty because we are guilty. And if we believe, consciously or unconsciously, that God still counts our guilt against us, our instinctive sense of self-protection forbids us to acknowledge our sin and guilt, or, at the least, we seek to minimize it.

But we cannot begin to deal with a particular manifestation of sin, such as anger or self-pity, until we first openly acknowledge its presence and activity in our lives. So I need the assurance that my sin is forgiven before I can even acknowledge it, let alone begin to deal with it.

 

[charismaticlady]

We need to take a good look at the gospel. We need to do this for several reasons. First, the gospel is for sinners. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Most Christians tend to think of the gospel as applicable only to unbelievers who need to be “saved.”

Once we trust in Christ, so the thinking goes, the gospel doesn’t apply to us anymore, except to share it with others who are still unbelievers. However, though we truly are saints in the sense of being separated unto God, all of us are still practicing sinners. All the ethical commands and exhortations addressed to believers in the New Testament assume there is still sin present in our lives that needs to be addressed. Among the four uses for which Scripture is profitable for reproof and correction. Again, these uses assume that we still have sin that needs to be reproved and corrected.

So the first use of the gospel, as a remedy for our sins, is to plow the ground of our hearts so that we can see our sin. Stepping forward to accept our place as sinners in need of the gospel each day drives a dagger into our self-righteous hearts and prepares us to face up to and accept the reality of the sin that still dwells within us.

Second, the gospel not only prepares us to face our sin but also frees us up to do so. Facing our sin causes us to feel guilty. Of course we feel guilty because we are guilty. And if we believe, consciously or unconsciously, that God still counts our guilt against us, our instinctive sense of self-protection forbids us to acknowledge our sin and guilt, or, at the least, we seek to minimize it.

But we cannot begin to deal with a particular manifestation of sin, such as anger or self-pity, until we first openly acknowledge its presence and activity in our lives. So I need the assurance that my sin is forgiven before I can even acknowledge it, let alone begin to deal with it.

You've made a lot of strange statements. It sounds like YOU are the one that is in charge of changing yourself because of your guilt. That is a heavy burden if you think that is the gospel. No! All that guilt is what brings us to Christ in the first place, not your life afterwards for the rest of you life.

 

[Obadiah]

Christians still sin. The Bible clearly teaches that while we are given a new nature and our sin is forgiven through Christ, we still struggle with the presence of sin in our mortal bodies as long as we live in this fallen world.

Biblical Perspective on Sin for Christians

• A Universal Reality: Scripture emphasizes that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The Apostle John writes to believers, "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth" (1 John 1:8).
• A New Identity, an Ongoing Struggle: When a person becomes a Christian, their fundamental identity changes; they are considered a "new creation" in Christ and are no longer ruled by sin. However, they still possess a "flesh" (their human body and its inherent desires) which battles against the Holy Spirit within them (Galatians 5:17).
• Confession and Forgiveness: The Christian life is described as a process of ongoing sanctification (becoming more holy). The Bible instructs Christians to confess their sins to God, who is "faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
• Not a License to Sin: The fact that forgiveness is available is not an excuse to continue sinning willfully or habitually. A genuine faith will produce a desire to resist sin and pursue a righteous life. A lack of desire to change may raise questions about the authenticity of a person's faith (Hebrews 12:7-8).
• Hope for the Future: The complete freedom from sin's presence will not happen until the final resurrection, when believers receive glorified, transformed bodies.

In short, Christians still sin, but sin no longer defines their ultimate identity, and they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fight against it and seek God's forgiveness and strength for victory