1 John 1 – 2
Verse 1:9 is probably one of the most critical verses that gets ignored:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I think one of the most damaging “theologies” for many is this idea that once you accept salvation and confess your sin, all future sins are forgiven. This may be true to a point, but John is very specific that we need to confess our sins to be cleansed of “unrighteousness”. Jesus did for our sins and since He did over 2000 years ago, He died for our future sins. Nowhere is it stated that we should just stop confessing once we “say the prayer”.
It doesn’t matter how bad we are after accepting salvation, unless we reject God we will remain in the “Book of Life” but to live life to the full we need to remain in tune with God. To do this we must figurative put our hands on his head and transfer our sins through confession. Pastor John Miller of West Side Bible described the damage of sin not being confessed by illustrating it using scar tissue.
If you cut yourself and do nothing you will scab up and develop scars. This tissue is tough and actually more difficult to remove once it sets. But if you cleanse the cut and manage it well the scar tissue is very limited. I have some deep cuts that are almost imperceptible. It’s the same way with sins, if you ignore them and keep on going we develop scar tissue between our connection with God. The longer we go without confessing sin the more difficult it is to make the connection with God. It’s simple, just confess your sins and as Jesus said to the woman about to be stoned for adultery, sin no more.
Verse 2:1 explains that the ability to confess is not an “E-Ticket” to sinning:
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
The trap many get into is one can confess their sins in the morning. We blow our witnesses quickly with this mindset and could damage others receiving salvation. Think about it why would someone want to live under a set of rules, that can be broken, and only make you feel guilty the “morning after.” If they saw someone living their life to the full and enjoying clean living, they will want to see what’s different.
Verse 2:15 is one of the most difficult verses to follow:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Not only is this difficult, but it’s also quite damning when you read into it. How many of us love nice things and want them? A better house, a faster car, a perfect spouse or just more money are all things of this world. If we “love” our car, does that mean are separated from God? That is why this is a spooky verse because we get so caught up in turning love to something that will not bring salvation. Notice I put the “perfect spouse” in there when Jesus commanded us to love one and other. The key is “perfect” because none of us are perfect. If we love the boobs, the muscles, and the chest this makes them an object that is no different than loving a car. Men are most confused on this issue since we often confuse lust for love, we look at the body and focus on sex, not love.
This may be just as important as 1 John 1:9 because the world is a trap and we all get sucked into loving the things of the world. Now one would argue that God made this world to love. The mountains reflect God, the car reflects God and the “perfect wife” reflects God, so why can we not love them. The key is not loving them more than God. We cannot allow this world to suck us away from God. This is where “prosperity preaching” gets us in trouble because it exploits the love of this world to give to their church, with the promise of more stuff to love and separate you from God.