In this short article, we are going to look at the two distorted views one has when claiming to be without sin or not to have sinned. After that, we are going to look at how dangerous those views are on fellowship. Then we are going to conclude with an exaltation. Our focus on our passage of study (1 John 1:6-10) is going to be v.8 and v.10 since they address the same idea. We are going to deal with v.9 when we talk about the blessing of God’s forgiveness in fellowship.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (v.8)” “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives (v.10).
Table of Contents
A. Distorted view of the human condition
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (v.8)”
The Christian life is a life in which we are called to be honest. Honesty requires one to state things as they are without distortion. It is true that when we are born again God gives us a new heart that is able by the power of the Holy Spirit to love God. God promised in Ezekiel 36:26-27 saying, “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 an heart of flesh. 27 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 (NIV).”
It is also true that we sin as believers. This is what John is trying to help us understand. Now, to claim to be without sin shows these two things: a) we are deceiving ourselves b) the truth is not in us. A believer who claims to be without sin is not only lying about his condition but has a distorted view of his/her condition.
What does it mean that truth is not in us? What this implies is that where truth is about the condition of a believer there would not be a claim of one being without sin. Therefore, one who claims to be without shows that they lack the truth of God which clearly shows how honest we should be with our condition while here on earth. This shows there is a need for one to be taught God’s truth in order to know God’s view of us.
B. Distorted view of God
“If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives (v.10).
One who has such claims of being without sin or to not have sinned does not only deceive oneself and lack truth but has a very distorted view of God that he/she has to run away from. The weight behind this claim is that it makes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ nothing to the human race and hence God is a liar to send His Son to die for man who has never sinned. We devalue the work of Christ for us on the cross when we make such claims of being without sin or to have not sinned.
C. The Danger of those two views on fellowship
The claim to be without sin has a very dangerous impact on fellowship. In the previous discussions, we learned how fellowship we have with God leads us to have fellowship with others. In this fellowship, we walk by the truth of God and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sins. The cleansing that comes from Christ’s blood shows that our fellowship calls for forgiveness. The idea of Christ’s blood implies His death. The idea of cleansing implies forgiveness. In other words, the death of Christ brings forgiveness of our sins leading to a clear conscious before God. A conscious that is not guilty because Christ paid the price for our sins. Now, where people do not acknowledge their sin, it means that they will not be any need for reconciliation. Secondly, when people sin they will just put a blind eye to what they have done as if it never happened. Those who offend others would not see a need to ask for forgiveness from those they offended. Above all, they will see no need for Jesus who is there for us as our High priest interceding for us.
D. Exaltation
To avoid those two distorted views, we are encouraged to acknowledge our sins. We should know that the God who planned to bring salvation to us through Christ Jesus our Lord knew that this part of our sanctification is going to involve these situations where we find ourselves still falling short of the glory of God. In His wisdom, God has ordained that in glorification will all the perfection that we have in Christ be fully realized (1 John 3:2). With that perfection, is the expectation of our new bodies (Romans 8:23). This is why a better understanding of the doctrine of Justification is important in order for us to face the truth of our sanctification. John’s teaching helps us know that even though we find ourselves to be with sin, God does not reverse the justification He did when we believe in Christ. Because we believe in Christ, He is there to lead His work to completion (Philippians 1:6) and since it takes forgiving our daily sins in our walk to perfection which will come when Christ comes, He does that faithfully when we confess (1 John 1:9).
Passage of scripture to meditate on: Ephesians 1:3-14, NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Previous articles:
- FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
- Section 1: Fellowship with God means walking in the light, which is the truth of God, leading to fellowship with other believers
- Section 1:B. The Claim of having Fellowship with God among Believers
