“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
1 John 1:9 (NLT)
John isn’t writing theory—he’s testifying about the Jesus he saw, heard, and touched. This Jesus is life itself, revealed so that we can share fellowship with God and with one another. John’s joy was too good to hoard, so he proclaims it, inviting us into the same light. God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. If we walk in darkness while claiming fellowship with God, we are only deceiving ourselves. But when we walk in His light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from every sin.
BUT—here’s the key. Light exposes what’s hidden. Walking in the light doesn’t make us sinless; it makes us sensitive. The Spirit reveals the darkness still in us so that we can confess it. Confession isn’t groveling; it’s agreement with God about what’s true. We don’t cleanse ourselves—Jesus’ blood does. God forgives, not because we deserve it, but because He is faithful and just, looking at the perfect sacrifice of His Son.
This means confession is not a once-a-lifetime event but a rhythm of grace. Every morning His mercies are new. We come honest: “Lord, I lied. I was harsh. I ignored Your Spirit.” Known sins and unknown sins alike fall under His cleansing. If we claim we haven’t sinned, we’re calling God a liar and showing His Word has no place in our hearts. But when Jesus is truly in our hearts, we want to confess. We crave the cleansing that keeps us in the light. So today—confess, be cleansed, and step into the light again.