“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10)
In the Christian church, the Lord has blessed us with the practice of Confession and Absolution. When we are gathered together with fellow believers in the house of the Lord, we jointly make confession of our sins, which we have been guilty of in thought, word, and deed.
The pastor in turn declares these words of absolution: “I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” We have come to understand that when the pastor uses the first person pronoun here, he is speaking on behalf of Christ and according to His command (John 20:22-23; 2 Corinthians 2:10). So then, it is as if Christ Himself is saying to us, “I forgive you.”
In verse 8 of our study, the Apostle John is addressing a problem of those who don’t think they are guilty of sin, and therefore have no need to confess. This is found today among those who are a part of the “holiness” bodies in Christendom. They believe that they can go for a period of time without sinning. When you ask them about the evil thoughts and emotions in them, they say that the devil planted those sins in them and is responsible for them.
However, if any claim they are without sin, not only are they deceiving themselves, but they are also calling God a liar, for Jesus declares, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” (Matthew 15:19) Also, the Word of God reveals that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Again we read in God’s Word, “There is none who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:3)
For those who humbly and sorrowfully acknowledge their sin, John declares to them “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” By heading this statement with the word if, John is not thereby saying that God’s forgiveness is conditional. Neither is he indicating that confession is a meritorious deed by which we deserve to be forgiven. No, not at all! God’s forgiveness is unconditional and is pure grace.
Each time God forgives us in the words of absolution, this doesn’t mean that the Lord dishes out forgiveness little by little. When Jesus died and rose again, God declared us forgiven of all our sins: past, present, and future (Romans 4:25; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Hebrews 10:10). The Lord’s forgiveness in the words of absolution comforts and reassures us that He continues to pour out upon us His pardon for all our transgressions.
The comforting words of God’s absolution are not only to be pronounced by pastors, but also by all Christians. Since all believers possess the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:19; John 20:21-23), they can comfort fellow penitent sinners by declaring God’s forgiveness in Christ’s stead.
The practice of confession and absolution is not only very necessary, but it is also most comforting! Praise be to God for blessing us in this way!
is retired from the pastoral ministry. He lives in Sunnyvale, California.