“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
I have visited this Scripture many, many times. It would be wonderful if we never made mistakes but God has made provision for us if we fail. It is interesting that the apostle John used the word “we.” Even apostles are not so perfect that they don’t need God’s continuing provision of grace. John said as much in a previous verse. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).
While each of us longs for purity there is only one way to obtain it and that is through a loving heavenly Father who is faithful and just. “Confess” isn’t a complicated word. It is literally our willingness to say the same thing God says. There is no point in denying our failures. We can come to Him and say the same thing He says about our shortcomings—“I was wrong.”
“I was wrong” is not easy for any of us to admit but when we acknowledge our sins we find God’s gracious provision of forgiveness. Even more than forgiveness He offers us purity. I once thought that grace was for sinners but when we accept Christ as our Savior we’re more or less on our own. The reality is that grace is for all of us for the rest of our lives. The God who purifies us at our salvation stands ready to keep us pure for the rest of our lives. All He asks of us is our honesty. The payoff is forgiveness and His purifying power that keeps us clean.
Our righteousness is a gift God gives us when we first believe in Jesus and it is reaffirmed whenever we come to Him honestly acknowledging our mistakes and failures. It is comforting to know that God is faithful to forgive us and purify us. He is that committed to maintaining our relationship with Him.
