811. 1JN 1:9. CONFESSION AND PARDON

1Jn_1:9. Confession and Pardon

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."’971Jn_1:9.

The preceding verse affirms the positive sinfulness of the best of men, and the danger of self-deception, from a supposition of our perfect holiness. To these topics we have called your attention already. Our present subject leads us to the remedy and means by which our sins may be forgiven, and by which our souls may be cleansed from iniquity. The eighth verse should check presumption,’97our text prevent despair. It is a truth that all are guilty; but it is also a truth that all may be forgiven. Our text leads to the consideration of confession and pardon, and the grounds of certainty that the one shall follow the other. Notice, then,

I. The confession required.

"If we confess," &c. Now confession is something more than mere admission, more than a repetition of a form of words. Scriptural confession implies,

1. A conscious knowledge of our sins. And this supposes that we know what

God has legislated; for by the knowledge of the law and word of God comes a conviction of sin. We cannot confess that of which we are unconscious and ignorant. It is a great mercy to know our real state before God. Many say they are rich, &c.; while God sees them as poor, and blind, and wretched.

2. This confession must be associated with sincere sorrow and contrition for sin.

"I will declare my iniquity, I will be sorry for my sin," Psa_38:18; see, also, Joe_2:12; and 2Co_7:10. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart," &c., Psa_51:17. Confession must be united,

3. With fervent supplication. "Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord," &c. Sin known and felt. Sin producing sorrow and contrition must excite to prayer. Thus David, Psa_51:1, Psa_51:3, Psa_51:7. The publican, "God be merciful," &c. Thus the dying thief, "Lord, remember me," &c. Confession must be connected,

4. With faith in Jesus Christ.

"With the heart," &c. A knowledge of sin leads to consideration; consideration to conviction; conviction to contrition; and contrition places the soul in the dust;’97then the cry is, Lord, help me, Lord, save me, &c. Christ is then presented in the gospel as "the way, the truth, and the life;" as the great sacrifice, &c. Faith exercised in him brings peace and joy into the soul. True scriptural confession is followed,

5. By newness of life.

Now the conversation becometh the gospel; now they walk after the Spirit; walk in Christ; delight in his statutes and ordinances to do them. Sin is loathed, abhorred, forsaken. The wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, &c. There are two points often overlooked. God often requires confession to our fellowmen, and as far as possible restitution or reparation, Mat_5:23, &c. Thus God treated with Job’s friends, Job_42:8. As to restitution, see Eze_33:15. Zaccheus thus acted, &c., Luk_19:8. Notice,

II. The blessings promised.

"To forgive," &c. Right confession insures, according to the spirit of the text,

1. Pardon.

To forgive us our sins. Now it will be clear that this forgiveness will be,

(1.) A. gracious act. As confession of a crime can never entitle a culprit to mercy. God pardons for his name’s sake; for his mercy’s sake: but especially in inspect of the sacrifice and merits of his Son, Jesus Christ.

(2.) A full and free act. He pardons readily, freely; without restriction as to the number or aggravations of guilt. He abundantly pardons. "Though your sins be as scarlet," &c. It is likened to the blotting out of a cloud; or, the casting a stone into the depths of the sea. He remembers their iniquities no more.

(3.) It is a present act. When confession is made he does not defer or postpone; he waits to forgive. Time present is with God the time in which he delights to exercise his clemency and love. To-day, if ye will hear and confess, he will say, "Thy sins which are many are all forgiven," &c. He will enable you to sing, "I will praise thee, for though thou wast angry," &c. The other blessing promised, is,

2. Sanctification.

"And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." A change of our nature is as essential as a change in our state. This formed one of the chief Old Testament promises, Eze_36:25-28, "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and ye shall be my people and I will be your God." This was the great end of Christ’s death, for he "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify," &c., Tit_2:11. Now this renewal is alike essential to our happiness and salvation. "There is now, therefore, no condemnation," &c. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature," &c., Tit_3:5-7. Observe,

III. The certainty that these blessings shall follow confession.

Two words in the text fully guarantee this.

1. God’s fidelity.

"He is faithful." God has engaged to do so. His promises are full and explicit. Some of these are made to Christ, and others to the sinner. God cannot lie; besides, he has sworn it, Heb_6:16, &c.

2. God’s justice.

"And just." God can forgive sin justly. With Christ, and the satisfaction Christ has yielded, the sinner can be justly forgiven, and every sinner’s pardon is as just as it is merciful. Just to the Mediator and merciful to the sinner, Rom_3:24, &c.

Application

1. Urge immediate evangelical confession on every sinner in God’s presence.

2. Call upon Christians to bless and magnify the grace of God.

3. Remind the impenitent of the awful consequences of sin in the eternal world.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS