God calls us to let go of “dead works” and enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:10-11). Sometimes, “dead works” can come from misunderstanding passages in the Bible, such as 1 John 1:9. This verse encourages unbelievers to acknowledge their sins and their need for forgiveness through Christ. John invites them to join the faith saying, “that you also may have fellowship with us” (1 John 1:3 [WEB]). In doing so, they will receive forgiveness for all their sins, past, present, and future because God “cleanse[s] us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 [WEB]) and “all sin” (1 John 1:7 [WEB]).
1 John 1:7-10 (WEB) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
However, some Christians have mistakenly assumed that 1 John 1:9 was written to Christians who must constantly confess their sins to God and ask for forgiveness to remain forgiven.
However, John contrasts the act of confessing our sins with claiming that we have no sin or have not sinned (1 John 1:8,10). John’s primary concern was that the unbelievers he was addressing might assume they had never sinned and therefore did not need forgiveness. After inviting them into the faith, he turns to address believers and reminds them that their sins are already forgiven without the need to continually confess their sins (1 John 2:1-2 [WEB]).
1 John 2:1-2 (WEB) My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 2 And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
The book of Hebrews teaches that God does not want us to be constantly reminded of our sins and that Christ’s sacrifice completely takes away our sins. The author contrasts the sacrifices offered by the Old Testament priests, which annually reminded people of their sins and could never take away sins, with Christ’s sacrifice, which takes away sins forever (Hebrews 10:2-4,9-14). God wants us to have a guilt-free conscience and to draw near to Him with full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22 [NIV]).
It’s noteworthy that nowhere in Paul’s letters is there a command to continually list out our sins before God to remain forgiven. In conclusion, 1 John 1:9 commands unbelievers to admit they have sin and need a savior. Believers should have confidence in Christ’s complete forgiveness and strive to enter into God’s rest.