1:6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say 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 we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
This really is one of those love/hate statements: We love verse 9 - the promise of forgiveness; we don't like so much how we need to get there: Admit we sin, that we have broken fellowship with Him and others. Calling out to God in prayer without considering the possibility that we have something to confess just doesn't fly. It hinders the relationship; it thwarts the conversation. This letter is a powerful statement about the love of God in Christ; we just need to get through the opening to appreciate it. Just do it. Come to the conversation openly admitting your failure and need, so you can experience the fullness of His love. Then be ready for the cleansing, the joy, the peace and assurance to rush in. Tell it like it is.
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