If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9 ESV)
Carts and Horses
“If we are going to take an extended trip to Europe, we’ll have to save money, accumulate vacation time, and get better luggage,” we decided. And we did save money, accumulate vacation time, and found better luggage. But we did not do this things in order to help our decision, we had already made the decision. That “IF” is meant in the sense of, “SINCE.”
If we are going to be married, we need to learn budgeting.
If we are going to church, we need to get up on time.
If we are going to have Spaghetti, we had better buy some meatballs.
And here, SINCE we have confessed our sins… meaning more than just today’s confession, but referring to THE confession that brought us into Jesus’ camp… God forgives, and gets rid of our unrighteousness.
Forgiveness from God towards His people is an automatic result of our salvific relationship with Him.
John intends here to give us confidence in Christ’s atoning work… He is not creating a list of things we must do daily to be forgiven.
Since you are saved in, through, by, and because of Christ, HE is faithful to forgive us! Not because we ask nicely. But because HE is consistent, gracious, and merciful.