1 John 1:9

1 John 1:8-10 

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

John was an apostle to the circumcision (Gal. 2:9) and he aimed these remarks at unbelieving Jews. It would only be the self-righteous who would say that they had no sin (Jer. 2:35; Matt. 9:10-13; Jn. 8:31-47). That God’s word was not IN them meant that they had not really believed it. John calls them liars (2:4; Jn. 8:44). The tribulation period will be a time of great deception. Many will be deceived by the antichrist and false prophet because they first deceived themselves (v.8; Jam. 1:22). 1 John 1:9 is one of the most misunderstood and misapplied verses in the Bible. The root problem, as always, is a failure to rightly divide the word of truth. This verse was not written to the Body of Christ! The apostle Paul is the divinely appointed spokesman to the Body of Christ in this present age and God inspired 13 epistles through him directly to us (Romans - Philemon). Hebrews through Revelation were written by Jewish apostles and apply historically to the kingdom saints in the Book of Acts and prophetically to the tribulation saints. Many preachers misuse 1 John 1:9 to teach that Christians must confess their sins to be forgiven. We are told that we must “keep short accounts with God” if we are going to stay in fellowship with Him. This turns the Christian life into a performance based religion. Another view goes to the other extreme and teaches that we don’t need to confess our sins at all. Because we still have the flesh we will sin. God gives us the privilege to judge our self (1 Cor. 11:31-32) and He chastens when we don’t. Of course we should confess our sins and repent because we love the Lord (2 Cor. 7:8-11). But we do not have to confess sins to be forgiven because ALL of our sins are already forgiven (Col. 2:13). The confession of SINS is required under gospel of kingdom (Mk. 1:4-5; Matt. 3:1-12; Matt. 24:14). Israel was in a covenant relationship (Lev. 26:40).