Former Blackout Artist

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

John doesn’t allow much room for pretending, does he. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves.”

That impulse to hide is old… actually it goes all the way back to the garden. When Adam sinned, his first instinct was to disappear among the trees, to put distance between himself and God.

What’s striking is what God did next. In His mercy, He went looking for Adam, walking in the garden in the cool of the day. God already knew what had happened, but He still invited Adam to step into the open. And when Adam finally spoke, he did confess – but not without trying to shift the blame: “It was because of that woman you put here with me.”

Does this story sound uncomfortably familiar to you like it does to me? I think back to when I was growing up and how often I tried to blame my brother for everything. No one had to teach me that, it came naturally!

But John’s invitation in 1 John 1:9 is different. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Confession here isn’t hiding behind bushes or shifting responsibility. It’s owning what we’ve done. No blame, no spin. No pointing at other people, or the circumstances, or God. Just an honest acknowledgment that what we did was wrong.

And what is the response we receive? Not one of reluctance, not being put on some kind of probation. No frowns or groans from God. But forgiveness! And He forgives us not because we deserve it, but because justice has already been satisfied in Christ. Confession to God restores fellowship with Him, keeping us walking closely with God again in the open instead of keeping our distance.

James 5:16 reminds us that this honesty sometimes extends beyond our private prayers: “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” This doesn’t mean careless confession. James is saying that we should make it a habit to bring our struggles to trusted, mature believers who will pray for us and help us move forward. The moment I confess to a fellow brother in Christ about a particular sin I’m struggling with, it’s like taking a concrete block off my shoulders. I’m not carrying around that guilt anymore. And when our sin has harmed someone else, faithfulness means going to them personally, taking responsibility, and seeking forgiveness and restoration.

But God is faithful, loved ones. From the garden to today, He still comes looking for us. Confession is simply stepping out from hiding and telling the truth. And every time we do, we find that God’s mercy is already waiting for us.