Should Christians Confess Sin?

[Editor’s Note: The following excerpt is taken from Dr. Laney’s book, Answers to Tough Questions.]

1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he’s faithful and simply to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Apostle John wrote his first epistle to combat false teaching (1 Jn. 4:1) with a transparent presentation of the reality and to advertise fellowship within the family of God (1 Jn. 1:3). In 1 John 1:6-2:2, the apostle presents three tests designed to reply those that claim to have fellowship with God but live in disobedience–the test of conduct (1:6-7), confession (1:8-9), and creed (1:10-2:2). Apparently there have been those within the church who denied the existence of sin of their lives (1 Jn. 1:8). Instead of denying their sin, John points out that an acknowledgement of sin will result in forgiveness and cleansing.

It has been argued that this text applies only to unbelievers who must confess their sins with the intention to change into saved and to appropriate God’s forgiveness. It is implied that confession is unnecessary for Christians because they’ve already been justified–declared righteous–in Christ (Rom. 5:1).

I will surely agree that Christians are declared righteous in Christ and that a private act of sin cannot change our righteous standing or position. However, a private act of sin can change how we relate to God when it comes to fellowship. Here it is useful to tell apart between positional and relational truth. A believer’s position in Christ relies on justification. That position can never change (Rom. 8:31-39). But sin does effect how we relate to God when it comes to fellowship and intimacy. It is tough, if not unattainable, to experience personal intimacy with my Lord once I am unwilling to acknowledge and repent from known sin.

1 John 1:9 deals with how Christians relate to God after they’ve been declared righteous by faith. When they confess their sins, God is faithful to His guarantees and righteous in His dealings, providing forgiveness and cleansing for the repentant. Confession just isn’t a lot a requirement for believers because it is a chance for restoration of fellowship after offending our holy God. Christians are a confessing people! And as we confess, God forgives and cleanses.

Dr. J. Carl Laney is Professor of Biblical Literature at Western Seminary in Portland, OR. For more biblical resources by Dr. Laney, please visit www.carllaney.com. 

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