Dateline: Walking in the Light
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
My good friend Jimmy Willard often reminds me to take a "360 degree view" of any situation I encounter in life. The "360 degree view" is a way of seeing the whole picture instead of the "lesser degree" usually brought on by self-centered narrowness. Applied to Biblical truths, the "360 degree view" is akin to Biblical Theology (AKA "letting Scripture speak for itself").
When it comes to 1 John 1:9, I have often found myself struggling to recall my sins in order that I may confess them and subsequently be forgiven and cleansed. A narrow view (one I have taken far too often) of the verse can lead a person to believe there is unconfessed sin residing somewhere deep within the soul. However, the "360 degree view" puts equal emphasis on every Word in the verse; including the word -"all." If we confess our sins (we can only confess those we know), we are cleansed of ALL unrighteousness (known and unknown). We must remember we are dealing with God's terms not our own. We must remember that we are dealing with God's definitions not our own. God's yes means yes, His no means no, and Praise God Almighty His all means ALL!
This verse is about Jesus Christ, His knowledge of righteousness and wickedness, His willingness to forgive, and His power to cleanse and purify.
His forgiveness is bigger than ALL our sins and truer than our memory. Always remember, 1 John 1:9 is more about forgiveness than condemnation… More about cleanliness than sin… More about Jesus than us.
By the way, a practical definition of the word "confess" is to agree with God when He says we are wrong. Brothers and sisters seek the scrutiny of the Lord in your life; and when God tells you you're wrong, confess your sin. Above all else, trust the eternal faithfulness of God to forgive your sins and the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ to cleanse you from ALL unrighteousness!
God's "360 degree view" of forgiveness leaves no sin in the wake of the Blood of the Lamb.
