If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
I want to set some context. John wrote (or dictated) this letter forty to sixty years after Jesus died on the cross for our sins. It is a missive to believers and future believers.
John uses a first person singular present verb to tell believers to keep confessing (speaking) to Jesus about the sins they are committing, just like they did in the hour they first believed.
I have never understood Christians who say that they were forgiven when they first confessed and professed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but never revisit the foot of the cross again and again with sins they are currently committing. Yes the cross has us covered, but it is not a license to sin without remorse. You still have to actively pursue the justice and mercy that flow from the cross over your life. It is like a shower of grace everyday!
This should be a lifelong process of being drawn nearer to God’s holiness. It is called sanctification, and the Holy Spirit will help you.
So keep on confessing your sins to Jesus, and he will be faithful as he covers you with his justice and forgiveness forever.
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