1 John 1:1-4

Fact 1: What was from the beginning,

Fact 2: what we have heard,

Fact 3: what we have seen with our eyes,

Fact 3': what we have looked at

Fact 2': and touched with our hands,

Fact 1': concerning the Word of Life --

1.	What are John's first three descriptions of the subject of His letter in this verse? last three?

2.	Organize these sets of threes. ?chiasm. What arena does he start in, to which arena does he move us?

a.	Facts 1 and 1' relate to the preexistence and power (transcendence) of the Word. The other facts relate to the incarnation (immanence) of the Word.

3.	So, what is it in verse one that was from the beginning?

a.	The Word of Life

Interp:

Context:

1.	From the context, what does it mean to have been "from the beginning"?
What else in 1 Jn 1 was "from the beginning" (or something similar)?

a.	The Eternal Life was "with the Father"

b.	2:7 the commandment to love you have had from the beginning

c.	2:13 Fathers know Him who has been from the beginning

d.	Conclusions?

i.	It means to be eternal–coeternal with the Father

ii.	The Word of Life was from the beginning with the Father and is as old as the law of love itself?

Comparison:

2.	What is John claiming about his own experience by setting these sensory descriptions alongside "What was from the beginning," and "the Word of Life?"

a.	I've seen God incarnate! I have a personal sensory experience, not a dream or encounter with an apparition, of God Himself, the Eternal One in human flesh, in a body with skin on it.

3.	What is the theme? or What do these things have in common so far?

a.	A personal account of the deity in bodily form. Eyewitness of the incarnation.

verse2 What about the incarnation?

Fact 1: and the life was manifested,

Fact 2: and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you

Fact 3: the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us --

1.	What happened with this life?

a.	it was manifested

2.	What actions has this manifestation prompted?

a.	have seen, testify, proclaim to you

3.	What sort of life did they see and do they now proclaim?

a.	the Eternal Life which was w/ Father, and was manifested to us

Interp:

Context:

1.	What must happen before one can see, testify and proclaim?

a.	a manifestation

2.	Do you see the steps so far? Manifestation, Observation, First-hand Proclamation

3.	What does it mean for a life to be manifested?

a.	become observable w/ the senses

4.	What is so significant about that happening? What kind of life is this that's being manifested?

a.	The Eternal Life!

Comparison:

5.	What does it say about the Eternal Life that it was manifested?

a.	He was interested in us, and didn't want to be with the Father if we weren't there.

6.	or What is the goal of the Eternal Life being manifested?

a.	Fellowship w/ us and the others who've seen Him

verse3

Fact1: what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also,

Fact2: so that you too may have fellowship with us;

Fact3: and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

1.	What do they proclaim?

a.	What they've seen and heard

2.	Why, what does this proclamation enable to happen?

3.	What claim does he make about their fellowship?

Interp:

Context:

1.	What must you have before you can proclaim?

a.	an experience, you must have seen God

2.	What is it they have seen and heard?

a.	A manifestation of the Eternal in human flesh.

Comparison:

3.	What is the result of this proclamation?

a.	Inclusion in fellowship w/ John and others

4.	But what was proclaimed?

a.	The manifestation of the Eternal One.

5.	How does proclaiming the Immanent/Eternal One bring people into fellowship with each other?

a.	Somehow through the proclamation of Jesus, we can enter into fellowship with Him. Then when our fellowship is w/ God then it is also with each other.

6.	What sort of proclamation must this be that it allows us to have fellowship with the Eternal/Immanent One, even though He's returned to heaven?

a.	It must be an incarnational proclamation.

i.	The proclamation is not just a story, it is an incarnation itself.

verse4

Facts:

1.	These things we write,

2.	so that our joy may be made complete

1.	What medium is John putting all this stuff in?

a.	Written

2.	What is his purpose?

a.	So that our joy may be made complete (lit. fulfilled)

Interp:

1.	What are the "these things?"
Read verses 1-3 and note the progression:

a.	The beginning and source (transcendent) was subject to our sensory perception (immanent) (We saw God in the flesh)

b.	After observing w/ senses this manifestation (trans/imm) the observers move to proclamation.

c.	The fruit of proclaiming their observation/experience is fellowship with the proclaimers and the Transcendent/Immanent One

2.	How does writing these things to his hearers make John's joy complete?

3.	In what way is his joy not complete? What is his goal so far? What is he wanting these words to accomplish? What else is not complete?

a.	Fellowship. The fellowship is not complete.

4.	Are you hearing that? What makes his joy fulfilled?

a.	the completion of the fellowship!! In other words, the goal of this apostle is not to get people to put their names on a roster or to subscribe to a list of beliefs, but to enter into fellowship with God and other believers. This word for fellowship does not mean simply social time together like we mean when we say "fellowship" dinner. It denotes community, joint participation, intimacy. So that Paul says don't be yoked together with unbelievers–enter into partnership with them, for what fellowship hath Christ with Belial? Not meaning don't talk to these people, but don't make them people you rely on and are intimate with. Folks, our purpose is to bring people to participate in a fellowship that is safe and up-building, not just bring them to subscribe to a set of doctrines.

5.	What experiences must take place before we can have fellowship together?

a.	Manifestation and proclamation (which is a manifestation itself) of who? Jesus. In order to have fellowship together we both must have seen Jesus. So it doesn't do any good to correct people left and right who have never seen Jesus. To make external changes will not bring us into fellowship together. Maria earring story. EGW quote on axe to root.

John is single-minded, he's only interested in proclaiming one thing. Jesus. His own experience of Jesus–no one else's. Because He knows no one will come into fellowship with Jesus or himself without seeing a manifestation of Jesus.

Application: What would it look like if we had the same interest in entering into fellowship with others that Jesus did? What would it look like if we incarnationally proclaimed the God who left heaven to enter into fellowship with us?

What is John proclaiming about Jesus that will bring us into fellowship? Let's read.

Verse 5 Facts:

1.	5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you,

2.	that God is Light,

3.	and in Him there is no darkness at all.

1.	Where did John get this message, and what's he doing with it?

a.	from Him; announcing it to audience

2.	What two thoughts are key to this message?

a.	God is light

b.	in Him there is no darkness at all

Interpretation:

Comparison:

1.	What does it mean for God to be described as light in which there is no darkness? Is He trying to say that all God is is a ball of light? That He has no substance, He's just light? Or is this symbolic language? What are the light and the darkness being referred to here? What primary characteristic(s) of light are being attributed to God here?

a.	Shining and revealing rather than obscuring

2.	Does it make sense, then that if God is light, that in Him there would be no darkness? Similarly, inside the light bulb, the source of light, there's no darkness! Someone tell me what this would indicate about God's character? In your own words.

a.	He would be completely trustworthy since He hides nothing. He is by nature a revealer, and has no obscuring in Him, so He cannot hide things or lie.

This leads nicely into our next verse.

Verse 6

Facts:

1.	6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him

2.	and yet walk in the darkness,

3.	we lie and

4.	do not practice the truth;

1.	What interesting contrast does John introduce here?

a.	Saying we have fellowship with God,

b.	but walking in darkness (Proclamation/Demonstration)

Can you see how this would be a problem? Can you hang out in a room with a big halogen light shining in it and still be in the dark?

2.	So if someone claimed to be in close fellowship with the light, but was actually in the darkness, what two conclusions does John say we could draw about those people?

a.	They neither tell the truth

b.	nor practice the truth.

last time we noted that those who claim fellowship with God and yet walk in the darkness are both lying with their mouths–you can't be with God who is light and still walk in the dark–and not doing the truth with their bodies. The reason a person walks in the darkness is to hide their deeds because they are evil according to John 3:14? So what would it mean to walk in the light? To be open and admit there's a problem. 'Cause it's possible to walk in the darkness and make no claims of having fellowship with God. These people aren't lying–they're not doing the truth, but at least they aren't lying about it. They won't be open with you about their actions, they don't want them out in the light, but they aren't trying to tell you that they are being open, they admit they're hiding their deeds. But to walk in the light means to let your walk be seen–your actions, your doing. Not to have a perfect walk, but to let it be seen. What happens if we let our walk be seen by walking in the light?

But this time we're looking at the next statement. If we do walk in the light as He is in the light, John says we can draw two conclusions.

1.	We have fellowship with one another and

2.	the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

We talked a little about how walking in the light allows us to have fellowship, and walking in the darkness prevents it.

Who else do we enter into fellowship with if we enter into fellowship with one another? God

What sort of people are these who are entering into fellowship with God? There are two major characteristics of these people. They are honest and open, but they are sinners. Isn't that amazing. Sinners can have fellowship with the Holy Almighty God, but only those who admit what?

Isn't that good news? We've all known what you're like behind closed doors, now you can admit it.

Some people claim to walk in the light and yet walk in darkness. We know they're lying and not practicing the truth. What are they lying about? They are claiming fellowship with God when they don't have it. Yes, but what are they really trying to make others believe. A lie is a deception, and it always has a certain purpose. What falsehood are those who claim to have fellowship with God, but walk in the darkness really trying to convince others of? (that they have no sin) See I'm being open, they say, but they hide their deeds while they say it. So what do others see? They don't see any sin, that's being hidden. So what is a person leading others to believe, if he claims fellowship w/ God and yet walks in the darkness? I have no sin.

But if we walk in the light or admit we have sin, what two things happen? We have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

Why does walking in the light bring both fellowship and cleansing? What is it about walking in the light that allows us to have fellowship? We're not hiding. What is it about walking in the light that allows Jesus' blood to cleanse us? Again, we're not hiding it. How can a mess be cleaned up if no one will admit it is there?

What does John have to say about the mouths and actions of those who walk in the light? They confess sins with their mouths. Their actions are purified by the blood.?

Interpretation:

Comparison:

1.	What does it mean to walk in the darkness?

2.	Why two conclusions? What's the difference? (last and final hint: Is it possible to walk in darkness without both lying and not practicing the truth?) Those who walk in darkness and don't claim to have fellowship with God don't practice the truth, but at least they aren't lying.

3.	What would you expect in contrast to this statement? 'but if we say we have fellowship with Him and we walk in the light, we both tell the truth and practice the truth,' right? Notice he doesn't say that. He does not say that those who walk in the light are practicing the truth. What does he say? "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."

4.	What does it take to be in fellowship with God?

a.	Walk in the light

5.	What does it mean to walk in the light?

6.

say fellowship	walk dark	don't tell truth	nor practice truth
fellowship w/ one another	walk light	as he is in light	blood cleanses us

Context:

1.	What example of claiming fellowship with Him, while walking in the darkness does John give us? What other examples of lying are here?

a.	Claiming to be without sin–it's put in parallel w/ walking in darkness as one is lying, the other self-deception and accusing God of lying.

If we say we have fellowship with Light (God) and yet walk in darkness we're lying.

Is it possible to have sin and be in fellowship w/ God? Is it possible to claim sinlessness and have fellowship with God?

2.

a.	It can be walked in. It is an arena for one's actions. We can do our actions in the light, just as God is in the light–of course He can't help it, He is light, so everything He does must be in the light.

b.	It's impossible to have fellowship with God and not walk in the light–to be close to God requires that we be willing to walk in the light. If God is light, this makes sense, how can we be close to the light and not walk in it. You can't get close to a light in real life and not have your actions revealed by it, nor can you get close to God and not have your actions revealed by Him. He cannot hide the light from you because He is the light. So the great evidence here that you are close to God is that your deeds are revealed in the light of His truth. You are coming out of hiding. You no longer act like there isn't a problem when there is.

3.	So what does it mean to walk in the light? To admit the truth, and allow one's life to be evaluated by the truth, to admit one is sinful, is John's first example. Therefore, walking in the light does not mean being sinless, but admitting you have a problem. Step 1 of AA is right here in 1 John.

4.	So what are the light and darkness being referred to? Light is truth, darkness is lies. Walking in light is being open, not sinless, and walking in darkness is both sinning and trying to hide it.

1.	God is light, so He reveals that we are sinners. If we are willing to admit to that, we have fellowship w/ Him, and we are cleansed from sin by His blood

2.	What are the impediments to fellowship?

a.	Fear of the light

b.	Claiming to have fellowship while walking in darkness

c.	Claiming to know Him while not keeping His commandments

d.	Claiming to be in the light while hating a brother

e.	The love of the world

f.	Antichrists

3.	What are the solutions to these impediments

a.	Confess and be forgiven and cleansed

b.	Walk in the light and be cleansed

c.	Love one another

d.	Love one another

e.	Do not love the world, it's passing away

f.	They leave while you have an anointing from the Holy One, and You know the truth, Confess the son and the Father will abide in you

Verse 6

Facts:

1.	6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him

2.	and yet walk in the darkness,

3.	we lie and

4.	do not practice the truth;

1.	What interesting contrast does John introduce here?

a.	Proclamation/Demonstration

b.	Saying we have fellowship with God, but walking in darkness

2.	What are his two conclusions about such people?

a.	They neither tell the truth nor practice the truth.

b.	Why two conclusions? What's the difference? Those who walk in darkness and don't claim to have fellowship with God don't practice the truth, but at least they aren't lying. And those who walk in the light and don't claim to have fellowship with God are doing the truth and not lying–they're not making any statements.

Interpretation:

Context:

1.	What example of claiming fellowship with Him, while walking in the darkness does John give us?

a.	Claiming to be without sin–it's put in parallel w/ walking in darkness as one is lying, the other self-deception and accusing God of lying.

If we say we have fellowship with Light (God) and yet walk in darkness we're lying.

Interpretation:

Context:

1.	How is this message that he's moving to now related to the "these things" that he wrote about before (the eternal to manifested to proclaimed to fellowship w/ Eternal)?

a.	He moves on now into describing how one knows if they are in fellowship with the Eternal.

i.	List the ways one can know if one is in fellowship w/ the Eternal

(1)	walk in light=admitting sin

(2)	keeps His commandments?

(3)	loves brother

Verse 7

Facts:

1.	7 but if we walk in the Light

2.	as He Himself is in the Light,

3.	we have fellowship with one another,

4.	and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

So the blood of Jesus doesn't cleanse us unless we walk in the light. What does it mean to walk in the light? Admit that we've got a sin problem.

Walking in the light is not the same as "practicing the truth." In the light is where you do things, but practicing or not practicing the truth is how you do them.

How does walking in the light bring us into fellowship with one another? We're not hiding anymore. Lying is the opposite of fellowship or the antithesis of fellowship.

How does walking in the light allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from all sin? And in the dark prevent it? Apparently if we're walking in the darkness, and our untruthful practices are hidden, they cannot change. The lying vs fellowship is the relational aspect the practicing and being cleansed deals with what area? Actions. What does it take for the blood of Jesus to actually work a change in what we do?

Come on, this is John's whole point here. If the blood of Jesus is going to work a change, what we do, our actions must be in the light–on the table, in the open. Why can't we do this in church? Many are doing what verse 8 talks about.

v.8 Facts:

1.	8 If we say that we have no sin, (oh, I'm not hiding anything, I just don't have any sin to hide!)

2.	we are deceiving ourselves (we're actually deluded)

3.	and the truth is not in us.

What does this mean? The truth is not in us? How is it related to being self-deceived? Why would I be interested in having the truth in me? John here seems to indicate that it is as bad to not have the truth in you as to be in serious denial about your sin condition. Is there anything else in this book that could explain what it would mean to have the truth "in me?"

v10 His word is not in us

2:4 truth not in him

2:8 commandment true in Him and in you

2:10 No cause for stumbling in him.

2:14 word of God abides in you

2:15 love of the Father is not in him

2:24 let abide in you what you heard from the beginning, if it does abide in you, you'll abide in Son and Father

3:15 no murderer has Eternal life abiding in him

3:24 he who keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him. We know He abides in us by His Spirit whom He has given us

John's actually saying that God is not living in anyone who claims to have no sin. At the present time then, God only lives then in what kind of human beings? Sinful human beings. When I heard that I was shocked. I guess I knew that, but the stark truth jumped out at me. In order to qualify as a dwelling place for God I have to be a sinner–it's sort of a moot point because all humans are, but John's saying, "Let's admit it now!

v.9 Facts:

1.	If we confess our sins,

a.	He is faithful–you can count in him–it's a done deal

b.	And just–he's not devious or sneaky or dishonest or unfair about it.

i.	To forgive us our sins

ii.	And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

How would it be unjust for God to forgive us our sins if we did not confess them?

Remember what we said about confession in the sermon on the prodigal? Confession serves one very important role. It places us once again under God's authority. The root concept of confession is agreement. By confession we admit that God's ways are right, and though we don't feel like it, we agree in our hearts with his law (Literally "homologomen:" speak the same word), but not just in our hearts–confession is only used in the NT in a public sense. That means that we admit our personal responsibility for sin publicly. "Hi, I'm Bob, and I'm a sinner." So if God forgives us without our confession of wrong, what has He done? He has in essence laid down His authority. He has set aside His law. He has become inconsistent and therefore unsafe, and even if we are taken to heaven, it is out of the frying pan and into the fire for us. Who wants to be in heaven if it turns into hell?

Why is it important for God to be just in forgiving sins and cleansing? What would it mean for God to be just in forgiving and cleansing?

He's not breaking any rules. Why is that important? If God changes His rules where's our security? Note how consistency is the only safe haven. Review again how God can forgive. Eph 1:7 through the blood of Christ. How does that make it just, one person cannot suffer for another–find OT quote – Ezekiel 18?–Must be the 'in Christ' understanding that makes it possible. In Christ, not only in death, but also in life. We cannot claim the benefits of his death and not receive also His life. And if we want the forgiveness that comes from his death, then we must recognize that we also have died to sin, and can no longer live in it. In other words, our confession of sin–giving God his authority back, admitting that we did wrong and that sin is bad is a guarantee that we won't want to go there, that we'll embrace cleansing wholeheartedly.

Let's try to understand God's justness in forgiving here just from 1john. What is it about God's forgiveness that make it safe? How can He justify forgiving sinners? He also cleanses–that seems to be all John says about it.

Both faithfulness and justness point to God's consistency. He is not faithful in his forgiveness if he does not also cleanse. And He is not just in his forgiveness if He does not also cleanse.

Thus you can't have forgiveness without cleansing, that's what makes God just in this whole thing. Is he bringing unsafe people into heaven? No. Then we're okay. That's all John has to say about it.

Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, but how can Jesus die instead of me? How does that make me safe?

If we wanted to go into more detail we'd have to go to Paul who describes us being in Christ at His death, and in Christ at His resurrection, and having Christ in us now. This is the same incarnation model that John is dealing with in 1John.

How would it be unfaithful for God to forgive or cleanse us if we do not confess. How would that make Him not trustworthy? We'd be saying. I have not sinned. And that makes God a liar–literally one who breaks faith or an unfaithful man.

If He cleanses without our confession, that's would be Him controlling us and turning us into drones. (Illustration of magazine rack and hand reaching down from heaven.)

Last time we saw why God needs to be just in forgiving and cleansing. If he forgives unjustly, He destroys our basis for trust by being inconsistent (parking ticket story). If he cleanses unjustly he destroys our trust by taking over and controlling us (magazine rack story). So God can't merely excuse our sin, nor can He take over and change us from the outside. What is it that allows Him to forgive and cleanse justly, then?

Our confession of sin. Why? If we don't admit sin is wrong the only way he can let us off is to break the rules, but if we admit it is wrong then the rules stay intact and He can work out another way to save our skins.

How does He do that? Instead of breaking the rules God satisfies the rules! What does the law require? Perfect obedience? What can we not give? Perfect obedience. What does the law say needs to happen to those who do not render perfect obedience? They must die. So if God were to satisfy the law, what would He have to do to us? Let us die. Did you know that He already has? How?

First, must understand corporate oneness of humanity. Adam breath of "lives." All humanity created in Adam. Acts 17:26. We were all "in Adam" when he sinned. (Rom 5:12 Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin and so death spread to all men, could just as easily read "in whom all sinned." For we're told in 1Cor 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." So we're one. All created in Adam, all made sinners in Adam, and all doomed to death because we are in Adam. If in Adam all die, and in Christ all will be made alive, the question is, how do I get out of Adam and into Christ? Well, to understand how to get into Christ, first maybe we should ask, " How did we get into Adam?" God put us there, we were created, "in Adam" so when we are born we're already in Adam.

We get 'into' Christ in a similar way. God has already put us in Christ (1Cor 1:30). Now, putting us in Christ does not take away our sentence of death. We are still guilty of sin, and unsafe to have in heaven. The law condemns us to death. How does God satisfy the law? In Christ we died to sin. Christ assumed our sin "God made Him who had no sin to become sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God." 2Cor 5:21. On the cross Christ took on the sins of everyone in the world. In fact, He became sin for us. When God looked at Jesus there on the cross, He did not see His perfect son. He saw sinful me, and guilty you. If I am a liar, then Jesus died as a liar. If I am a homosexual then Jesus died as a what? Homosexual. Jesus became sin for me in my place, and when God saw Him there hanging on the cross as me, what did He do? He turned away in disgust. What did it do to Jesus? It killed Him. But here's the exciting part. We were in Him when He died, so what happened to us also? We died. What death did Jesus die? There's a death that's only sleep, and there's the death that is the wages of sin. He died the second death, the wages of sin. So what kind of death did I die? The second death!

Rom 6:4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.

10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

He died to sin once for how many? All. Thus we count ourselves dead to sin not because we have experienced death, but because God put us to death in Christ 2000 years ago on the cross. Was the sentence of the law satisfied–the wages of sin is death(rom 6:23)? Yes, Rom 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ,

Rom 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (We've already died the second death in Christ!)

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

But why did He do it? So we could stay dead? No!

4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. What does it mean for the requirement of the law to be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit? Same as "cleanse you from all unrighteousness." Only by putting to death our old nature and raising us up in Christ can God indwell us by His spirit (incarnation) and live out His own life within us–cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

Who wants to make it possible for God's forgiveness and cleansing to be made real in your life? Take out a piece of paper and write out a prayer of confession.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

How is saying I have no sin different from saying I have not sinned? John uses two different phrases here. One is in the present tense. I presently have no sin. What does it mean to 'have sin' or 'have no sin?' Don't we usually do sin rather than have sin? What should this be telling you about the word 'sin?' (It is both a noun and a verb.) Sin is both a condition–something we have–like a disease or an injury, and something we do–the actions one does under the influence of that condition. SIN is the condition and the resulting sins are the actions.

What are we not going to say if we want to remain in touch with reality and have Jesus, the truth, abiding in us? We will not deny our condition as sinners–we will not say that we do not 'have' sin. We won't go around telling people I'm not HIV positive–when we know very well that we are–even if they don't see and we don't see any symptoms. We both know that we are fully capable of exhibiting symptoms at any time and of spreading the disease. Therefore we take precautions because we aren't in denial about our condition!

What are we not going to say if we want to be under God's authority and acknowledge that He tells the truth, and to have His Word, Jesus, in us. We won't say that we have not sinned. We will admit that our history is a sordid one. Not only am I a sinner, but I have sinned. I will acknowledge that I am HIV positive, and I have exhibited symptoms–even if you don't see any now, I have exhibited them. I am not admitting my sinfulness while denying that it has reared its ugly head. (Some people are happy to admit, yes, I'm a sinner, but from the way the act superior to you you'd think their condition had never led them to fall into sin. They never admit that they actually have sinned.) Friends, in each of our lives sin has reared its ugly head. The verb form used here is the perfect it denotes that an action completed in the past (I have sinned) has a present resulting condition (I cannot say I haven't sinned). So we should not say, "I have not sinned," today nor tomorrow. We will not suddenly reach a place where we can say, "I have not sinned." My action is in the past, but I cannot just erase history. History is history forever.

Will we ever be able to say, "I have not sinned?" No, that will always be a fact of our history, but God already has given us a new history in Christ. He looks at us as if we had never sinned, but not only that, He has justified us–which means 'declared us righteous.' So how long will we need the grace of God to apply Jesus' perfect life to our account? Forever. "His mercy endureth forever" (psalm 136 nkj) All of Eternity in heaven we will be there on Jesus' ticket. We will rely on the mercy of God forever for a change of history.

Now the question is, will there be a day when we do not 'have' sin? A day when we are not infected with the virus presently? Will we ever be healed? Will we be cleansed from all unrighteousness?" Yes, there will be a day, but John does not give to us the privilege of declaring that day. He says we are not to make the claim. I have been healed. Apparently to make such a claim is to deceive oneself and drive out the spirit of Christ. Why? Why am I not to say, "I have been cleansed?" Take our HIV analogy. How does the patient know if he has been healed? Does he decide one day, I've not shown any symptoms for so long that I can now conclusively state that I am not HIV positive? No, only the doctor can make such a pronouncement. And so it is with us and the Great Physician. When He pronounces "he that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Then the doctor will have proclaimed our healing, and not ourselves.

Why would anyone want to claim to be cured? Story of man Liversidge met at Florida Campmeeting. "You're a very fortunate man. You happen to be talking to the only person on the campground who hasn't sinned in three weeks." "How many other lies have you told today?" What was his motive for making the claim? Status, recognition. When God pronounces us cured, will we need to make the claim ourselves? No, no motive, no reason to anymore.

It's just occurred to me that John's point here is not just to give us assurance of acceptance before God. Instead he is pointing out the mechanism by which God rids us of sin in our lives. This whole process is for believers who have fallen on God's mercy and whose sins have been forgiven for His name's sake. If our sins have already been forgiven, why the emphasis on confession as the route to forgiveness and cleansing? It is. In one sense when we admitted our SIN–our condition–we received forgiveness for our condition and the promise of cleansing from our condition, but the same process works on the actions level. God does not overrule all our habits and ingrained actions when we admit our condition. He will not force the will, so now as new sins come to our awareness we must confess them in order to free God to forgive and cleanse us from them.

At the same time, perhaps it looks like this:

forgiveness changes our history/record, past present and future. It is a declaration of righteousness and fitness of the kingdom on the basis of our death in Christ and His righteous life in place of ours. This deals with the fact that we actually have committed sins and stand condemned for even one act of rebellion. Cleansing, however, deals with the reality that our history and records may be rewritten, but our hearts actually need healing or the rebellion could break out again at any moment. Cleansing is when God changes our hearts, it is not merely a declaration that Christ's life legally stands in place of ours, it is the process by which Christ actually takes over our lives from the inside, so that it is so natural for us to do His will that it seems we are but following our own impulses as we do it. Cleansing deals with the issue of us 'having' sin as a condition, forgiveness deals with our history of and responsibility for 'having sinned' in the behavior realm.