In The Master's Service

Print this page

CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS

Elder Mark Green

"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).

This is one of the most joyful or one of the most discouraging verses in the Bible, depending upon whether or not it is understood. This is an experiential verse, not a legal verse. If it is taken as a legal statement, then it immediately places the sinner under an unbearable burden. "I confessed my sin, but I do not feel the conviction about it today that I did yesterday when I confessed it, so I am not sure if the forgiveness still applies. I sinned the same sin today that I had done yesterday and the day before, and I am not sure if God's forgiveness will continue indefinitely in the face of my repeated transgressions; and I cannot be sure that my confessions were really sincere, since I turned back and did the same thing again. If my confessions were not sincere, did forgiveness actually follow? How sincere does confession have to be in order for it to be effective?" You can see the difficulties that begin to mount up if this verse is considered to be legal in nature. Confession becomes, not a cleansing experience, but a weight of legalism that grows greater and greater.

Another problem that we encounter if we consider this verse as being legal is that it makes the legal remission of sins to be based upon our works. Confession is something that we do; it is something that we are commanded to do. It is right for us to acknowledge our sinful condition and to beg forgiveness for sins. The problem is that true eternal salvation is not based upon our works: "Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (II Timothy 1:9). Confession of sins is a work, and if the legal putting away of sins depends upon our confession of our sins, then it depends upon our works; but Paul said our salvation is not according to our works.

When this verse is rightly considered in an experimental sense, however, oh! how beautiful it is! Jesus put away our sins legally by His crucifixion and death, but if we are convicted in our hearts that we have sinned against God's grace, we are not able to feel the mercy of God in our hearts. We feel vile and unclean, and unable to approach unto God. We do not feel worthy to lift up our eyes even to heaven, but must take our place with the world, for we are no better than they. When we have sinned, and feel the great mountain of guilt pressing down upon us; when we have rebelled against God and feel His piercing, all-knowing eye searching out all our inward parts, knowing the thoughts and intents of our heart; when we have sinned the same sin we did yesterday and the day before, and feel that there is no hope for such incorrigible sinners as we are - then, oh the joy that is to be found in this small bit of holy writ! "Merciful Father, I have sinned. I have done wrong. I have rebelled against Thee and Thy mercy. I am not fit to appear before Thee nor among Thy people. Lord, if there is forgiveness with Thee, then wash away my sins. Pure me, and wash me whiter than snow."

When the child of God is enabled to pour out his soul in genuine, contrite confession of his sins, the Bible promise is that God will forgive his sins - sensibly and experientially. He will feel a lightening of that burden. He will be drawn into a sacred nearness with the Father. He will feel clean and pure again, and have a felt sense of the washing of the blood of Jesus. Is not that what we yearn for when we sin? What else can ease our minds and hearts at those times but a sensible application of the forgiveness of God? God promises that experiential cleansing in this verse. Legal remission and forgiveness of sin is by sacrifice of Christ, but the felt sense of that work in this life is a promise to repentant sinners. This is one type of cleansing that is promised only to those who confess their sins. The sweet influence of renewed fellowship with God purges our heart of that great burden of sin and the pain of the unrighteousness that caused it.