“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2).
Does forgiveness enable sin?
Probably the most frequent go-to verse for assurance of pardon in a worship service is 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This assurance is honey to our flagging spirits when they are weighed down by the guilt of sin. It bathes the guilty conscience with the refreshing waters of God’s grace.
We were reminded in our recent analysis (see here) that this verse points us to Jesus and His redeeming work on our behalf. God forgives us our transgressions not simply because we confess them but because we confess Christ as God’s provision for forgiveness of that sin (and every sin).
By Stan D. Gayle