There has been a trend in American Christianity lately to focus on the confession of sin.  If this was a focus that was Biblical I would be rejoicing but what we are seeing is a trend that focuses on confession of sin outside of the only basis for that confession - the cross of Christ.   Do a cursory search on the internet for online confessionals and you’ll find that most if not all are encourage people to confess their sins, often anonymously, in an effort to help the sinner feel better - all without ever mentioning the only way forgiveness of sins is offered…  through the substitionary atonement of Christ on the cross.

One such site boasts in bold print 1 John 1:8-9.  Here is that beautiful verse of Holy Scripture…

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (ESV)

This verse, used out of context alone on a web site that allows people to confess their sins by posting them on a site, one may easily believe that since they have openly confessed their sins that God will forgive them.  There is one problem - God is not obligated to forgive your sins.  In fact, God cannot just forgive you of your sins by your confessing them.  A satisfaction must be made to God for our sin against our Holy God.  The doctrine of penal substitution as the Bible clearly teaches concerning Christ’s sacrifice on the cross continues to be attacked being labeled blasphemously as “cosmic child abuse”.

In today’s American church there is so little of the full Gospel preached that it is no wonder that we have millions of professing believers with no saving faith.   The cross has been all but completely removed from most Christian churches today.  With that being said, taking a verse like 1 John 1:9 (out of context) we could easily conclude that all we must do is confess our sins to God and He will magically forgive us.  An understanding of the Gospel allows us to see the beauty of the cross in this verse.

Let me give you a real world example.  I was out evangelizing several weeks ago and ran across a couple sitting on a bench at a park in our town.  I approached them and using one of the Way of the Mastermillion dollar bill tracts began a conversation with them.  I asked them if they were to die today would they be sure they would to go heaven?  They emphatically said, “yes”.  After probing further I inquired, “how can you be sure?”  They responded that they confess their sins to God every day, attend church regularly and do good things.  Not one of those things can or will save a soul.  Not one.  In fact, it is an insult to God to trust in these things.  Instead of trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ they trusted in their own works thinking they will be able to stand before God and boast in those things.  The cross of Christ was no where in their vocabulary.  It had no place in their “religion”.  This breaks my heart and is why I have such a passion for evangelizing to the church visible.

Let’s get back to our verse in 1 John 1:9.  There is a small, four letter word in that verse that I want to draw your attention to.  It’s the word just.  You see, Scripture makes it clear that in forgiving our sins God is just in doing so.  How is that so?

First and foremost, we must point out that the book of 1 John was written to Christians.  It is addressed to those who have put their faith and trust in Christ alone for their salvation and have repented of their sin.  So this ability to confess our sins is only available to Christians on the basis of Christ’s finished work.

John writes that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.  He is just in doing so because in order to forgive sins a price must be paid.  Many people believe that God can just overlook our sin and forgive us if we simply ask Him to.  If this were the case why the cross?  Further, if God were to forgive us our sins without a propitiation being made through a substitute, He would be breaking His own Word in Scripture.  Let’s take a look at Proverbs 17:15…

“He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.”  (NAS)

So how can God, who is just and righteous just overlook sin?  How can He just forgive iniquity?  It is against His character and would violate His own Word!  A price must be paid.  A propitiation must be laid down.  The word propitiation, used several times in Scripture, means satisfaction.  God’s holy wrath against sin must be satisfied.

Christ Jesus died on the cross to make atonement and propitiation for the sins of the elect.  God’s wrath was poured out on Him instead of those who through faith and repentance put their faith and trust in Christ alone for their salvation.  God’s righteous wrath was satisfied in His Son on that cross.  This is the beauty and grace of substitutionary atonement.  Our glorious Creator became our merciful Redeemer.  This is amazing grace.  This is the glorious doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement and it is the heart of the Gospel of God.

So when we come to the verse in 1 John 1:9 we need to pause and reflect on that little word just.  God is faithful and just to forgive the sins of saints who confess their sins (agree with God on the severity of their sin and have a desire to turn from them) solely on the basis that His Son, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ bore the penalty due to all those who are chosen in Him so that when the saints cry out to God confessing their sins He is truly just in forgiving them on the basis of Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

So if you’re reading this post and all along you’ve been putting your trust in baptism, going to church, doing good works, and even confessing your sins to God, you’re here for a reason.  Today is the day for salvation.  I pray the Lord will grant you faith and repentance.  Faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ who took the punishment you so deserve on that cross, died on that cross and three days later God raised Him from the dead who now stands at the right hand of God making intercession for His elect.  You must understand that you have broken God’s Law, there is nothing you can do to save yourself.  All world religions say “do”.  Christianity says done!  Repent of your sins - which means to agree with God that you are a sinner and have a desire to turn from them and put your faith and trust in the saving work of Jesus Christ alone for your salvation.  “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  (John 6:37)

My pastor once told me to take time to meditate on and study each word of Scripture.  Take time today to reflect on the justness of God and the incomprehensible love and grace of God through the substitutionary atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May we glory in the cross of Christ and boast only in Christ Jesus and Him crucified.  May we glory in His resurrection and glory in the fact that “He is able to save perfectly those who draw near to God through Him for He lives forever to make intercession for them.”  (Hebrews 7:25)

Solus Christus!