Unequal, And VERY Opposite Reactions

1 John 1:8-10
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

I guess this is one of those passages that is more theological truth, than application for my life. Nevertheless, let’s dive on in…

Verse eight is boiled down to the statement that I have sinned. Period. There’s not much else to do with that statement. It is affirmed by Romans 3:23 which tells me that everyone has sinned and cannot meet the standard that God has set. Jesus Christ is the only soul to walk this earth that can honestly make that statement – that He was without sin.

But John makes an interesting statement here. He says that if we make that claim, then we deceive ourselves. Why would he say that? Well, I think it’s a little sarcasm. It’s probably not, but I have a propensity for sarcasm so that’s usually where my mind goes. Anyway, John’s saying that we can claim that all we want, but we’re not fooling anyone but ourselves. Everyone knows that I’m not perfect. Especially those that know me. So if anyone is being fooled in this, it has to be me. But that is exactly what we do sometimes.

He uses the word deceive. That’s a little different that the word fool that I used earlier. Why use deceive? Deceit involves trickery to make one believe something. How can I trick myself? In order to believe the nonsense that I am without sin I have to be blinded to the truth so that the lie is the only option. But just two verses ago John was talking about walking in darkness. If you are in darkness then you really have no way of seeing the truth. It is only when you are walking with Christ and the Light of the World is able to illuminate the truth before you.

In verse nine John issues one of the hallmark statements of the Christian faith. It’s a statement of redemption and salvation. It’s also the antithesis of the previous verse. I think John contrasts them nicely here. Verse 8 talks about deceit where verse 9 talks about confession. Those are two completely different actions. One involves hiding the truth so that only the lie is seen. The other involves humble admittance of the truth, whatever it may be. Verse 8 claims to be free from sin because of myself, where verse 9 results in freedom from sin because of the forgiveness of Christ. Boy, what a beautiful picture.

Now let’s look at the two different actions of this verse. I’m reminded of Newton’s third law of motion which says that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. While that’s somewhat true in this sense, the reaction is far from equal. I guess it’s a good thing this isn’t physics. But my actions do indeed have an opposite reaction by God Almighty.

The first action required is confession on my part. The Greek word used for confession is interesting to me. The word is homologeō and the first of several definitions used is “to say the same thing as another, I.E. to agree with, assent.” I don’t think this is the most commonly used definition for the translation into “confession”, but it struck me as perfect this morning. If I think back to the fact that I have already been pronounced guilty as stated in Romans 3:23, then it makes perfect sense. I have already been labeled a sinner by God. It’s a fact and a definitive statement. If I reach the point of verse nine in my life, I am essentially affirming that indictment already made against me. I am agreeing with Christ’s judgment and acknowledging why. Confession is the act of making oneself transparent and the laying out of the truth. That’s exactly what is required in salvation. It’s the acknowledgement of my sinful nature and the admittance of that sin to a Holy judge.

The second action is the one taken by God. And it is anything but equal. But it is as opposite as you can get. John says that if I confess my sin, Christ will forgive me of it. And not only that, but He’ll clean the residue of that sin from my life. It’s the picture of grace in the life of a believer. Of all things that I may ever think I deserve in any way, forgiveness from sin and cleansing from unrighteousness is definitely at the bottom of the list. Actually, it wouldn’t even make the list.

John draws a sharp contrast in these two verses. In verse 8 he says that if we deny that we are sinners then we are foolish liars. But in verse 9 he says that if instead of denying the sin, we confess it, then we are forgiven. It couldn’t be more opposite.

You know, something else strikes me about the promise. This forgiveness isn’t something that I have to work through. I don’t have to do anything and work my way through acts of penance and perform certain deeds, or give restitution or anything of that nature. It’s not like community service where I have to get in so many hours to comply with a judge’s orders. It doesn’t take time with careful consideration by God to determine if the sentence has been satisfied. Instead, it is immediate. I am immediately taken from a state of condemnation, hopelessness and separation and I am ushered into a relationship of forgiveness, fellowship and hope. Immediately. And all I have to do is humbly acknowledge that I am exactly what I am convicted of and give Him my heart. I think I’m the one getting the better end of the deal on this one.

It says that God is both faithful and just. It’s a phrase that we may be familiar with. The word faithful in the Greek is pistos, which means able to be relied upon. The word just is which means to render to each his due. The initial blush at the implication of this can be a little frightening if you’re not a member of His family. It would imply that Christ can be relied on to give us what He has promised us. That explanation isn’t going to change. What does change is the implication of what He has promised. To those who don’t know Christ, He has promised death, condemnation, separation and a sinner’s hell. To those who have accepted His salvation, His promise is reconciliation, eternal life, a relationship and Heaven. His justice requires Him to fulfill His promise.

Oh Father, who am I to enjoy this relationship that you lavish me in. For I don’t deserve this adoption, this cleansing or this hope. The grace that I enjoy is inexplicable in mortal human terms, but I praise you that your ways are far above mine. I praise your for your seemingly effortless forgiveness, but I know that it was anything but effortless. It cost you everything. And because you gave everything, I am able to accept everything. My sin has made me a leper, needing to shout “unclean!” in the presence of a Holy God. But you have washed me in the blood of eternity’s perfect sacrifice so that I can be healed. And you give me an inheritance that I can’t fully fathom. What a gracious savior you are. I am indeed undone. What a savior.