If we confess our sin

If we say that 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 that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. - 1 John 1v8-10

There can be no doubt here that even believers still have to deal with their sin. If we say we have no problems with sin we only deceive ourselves. If we say that we have not sinned we make God out to a liar. God’s truth is not in us if we make these claims and His word is not really in us.

Even though we were made righteous in Christ at salvation and our sins were forgiven we still need to deal with the fact that we continue to sin. This sin affects the fellowship with God and with each other that was discussed in the pervious section. Though made righteous in Christ we still have to deal with our daily acts of unrighteousness.

Yet if we confess our sins, if we have the same mind as God and say the same thing about our sin as God does, Christ is faithful and just and will forgive those acts and cleanse us from all the unrighteousness we have committed.

Confession is more than just saying, ‘Oh I am sorry.’ True confession is a change of our minds and hearts. When we truly confess our actions are going to change.

We have a loving and faithful God who not only forgave us at salvation, but will continue to forgive we are confess and deal with our acts of sin.