Expert: Scott Talbot - 12/3/2011

Question
Hello,

There is a Bible verse I would please like your insight on.

"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
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The "if" in this verse really troubles me. I know that when I came to Christ and repented, all the sins of my past were forgiven. However it is the sins that I commit after rebirth that concern me. I sin everyday - it is unavoidable as long as we live in this world in these present bodies. I remember some but not all of them. How do I confess what I can not remember? I am concerned about the consequences of that un-confessed sin.
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Thanks,
Tressa

Answer
Hi Tressa,

Perhaps a better way to understand this verse is as follows:  "WHEN we confess our sins, ...."

When one is born again, he is forgiven for all sins--past, present, and future. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).  By that, we are to understand that we are delivered from condemnation--transferred from the realm of death to the realm of life. "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24).

Adoption into God's family has to do with JUSTIFICATION. However, once saved, it is God's desire that we grow in our relationship with Him. This is SANCTIFICATION, and it is ongoing.

Even though sin no longer condemns the Christian, it can affect his fellowship with God. It's just like a child who has been adopted into a human family. That child may rebel, and the relationship may become strained, but he will always belong to those who adopted him. Yet, a healthy relationship is the goal.

So it is with you and God. Sin affects your fellowship with God. It still hurts God when you sin. So it is important that we be sensitive to the sin that grieves God, and be quick to acknowledge and confess it and ask for His forgiveness.

Scott