The Letters of John – Lesson 3 – 1 John 1:8-10 New Revised Standard Version

 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 who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and 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.

 

First Impression

“Confess”, “this is the Gospel”, and “we are sinners” were the answers I received. For me, If…, if…, and if…. John has a logic sequence in here. He is combating the thoughts of those who either do not believe or do not understand with logical statements. If A, then B.

No sin. What is the problem with perfectionism? How do we overcome it?

I received many answers including “wrong motives”, “it is sin”, “it is a farce”, and in general a sense of “trying to be perfect is not perfect at all”. Many people struggle with how to be sinless or perfect as a Christian to both serve God and serve others.

The group had a whole host of options for overcoming it including, confessing the desire for it, digging deeper into why the desire is there, trust in God, trust that everything is only for God, and in general change your mind set that you are who you are, you are not who you are not, and no one is perfect. And finally, a recognition that we need to be honest, to be accountable, and to be humble. As I have said before, we need to have effort and not worry about results.

Deceive ourselves. Why are we the ones we lie to the most?

We want to be right, and the truth is hard to accept, that we do not like to fail and like to avoid it.  We had more discussion, but the intent was that we put ourselves above others when we lie.

Truth in us. How do we overcome the tendency to lie to ourselves?

Accountability. We have to admit we cannot do it alone and ask God and our fellow believers to help us accept the truth.

Confess. Do the Catholics have it right requiring telling someone about your sin?

Admittedly, I set this up to require responses based on emotions. Ask any group of Baptist and you are sure to find a few issues with the stereotype of Catholicism. The point here was to reinforce how the shared act of confession is good for believers and a part of what God calls us to even if we do not get it perfect.

Faithful and just. How does “just” clarify what it means for God to be faithful?

We had a lot of discussion about justice on this one, but all I really wanted to get out was that God only does what is consistent with His character and sometimes people lie to themselves about the things they ask God to be faithful about providing.

If we confess, He will forgive. If we are saved, are our sins not already forgiven?

Yes. See below.

Cleanse us. What is the difference between being forgiven and being cleansed?

This is the whole Justification vs Sanctification discussion. They are different, separate, but both the work of God on us.

Unrighteousness. What is the benefit of living cleansed from unrighteousness?

We spent so much time on the above question we did not get to focus on this part that was my intent. Being “saved” is eternal and “once” when discussing forgiveness and going to heaven. Being cleansed is leaving all the baggage of our past to pursue right relationship with God and others on a daily basis. If we do not confess and obtain cleanliness, then we cannot fulfill all our mandates from God for the day as we worry about our past.

If we lie, we make Him a liar? How does the logic work here and where does logic play into the life we lead for Christ?

We never got here. John uses logic to show us that actions have consequences. We do not get to pick the consequences, only God does. If we do one thing, there is a consequence. If we lie about sin, we sin. There are consequences and we have no idea how the lie will impact those around us.

His word is not in us? What is the difference between His Word not being in us and the Holy Spirit not being in us?

We heard the question, but we did not discuss. The idea was the same as being cleansed but the opposite. The Holy Spirit in us means we are saved. But when we are listening to Him and studying the scriptures, and seeking to live out the scriptures and to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, then the Word lives in us.

Gnostics said there was no sin. How does this concept appear in our world today?

In everyone who believes their actions are not sin, yet who are not following the will of God in every action they take.

John’s audience is not just believers, it is non-believers participating in the church will yet sinners. Our church should also have non-believers in it as they seek to fill the whole in their hearts. How are we to incorporate this fact into our church life?

I talked about this but did not wait for answers. Not every person in church is a mature Christian. Some are. Some are ignorant. Some are devoted non-believers there to stir up trouble. Some are seekers wanting to fill the hole in their heart. Our role as the maturing Christian is to recognize the possible differences in those around us and seek to relate to each one on an individual level. The physical church building is just a place for the group of people to work on their relationship with God and with others. Everyone needs different things from the church at different times. Expecting ourselves or those around us to be perfect is sin and we are to avoid sin. We will sin, as long as we are alive. Do not try to dismiss it or argue it away, confess it to God, and live looking forward.