Reflection on 1Jn 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Think about the word of life and answer these questions:
What does God want you to do about your sins?
What does it mean to “confess a sin”?
In His act of forgiving us, how is God described?
What else does God do when you confess your sins?
IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS …
- What should you recognize about yourself? (1Jn 1:8-10)
- What should be your attitude toward sin? (Ps 139:23-24; Ps 38:18)
- What should accompany your confession of sin? (Prov 28:13)
… He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- How is God described in Psalm 86:5?
- On what basis are you forgiven? (Eph 1:7)
- What does Hebrews 10:12 say about Christ’s sacrifice?
- Why is it foolish for you to continue to feel guilty after confessing sin? (Heb 10:17)
- What should be your attitude toward others when you have experienced God’s forgiveness? (Eph 4:32)
APPLYING 1 JOHN 1:9
Do you remember any sin you have committed and not asked forgiveness for?
If so, confess that sin to God and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Has God forgiven you and forgotten your sin?
The most important thing is that when we commit any sin, we should immediately repent of it, break with it, not dwell on it, literally cut ourselves off from it, whether it was a light or a heavy sin. Be it in thought or feeling or look, word or act, we are to immediately make an act of contrition by turning our spiritual eyes to the cross of Christ. If we do this, the Lord will protect us from mortal sin. Venial sins are to serve as stepping stones for us to enter into the presence of God, where we immediately make an act of contrition and an act of love for Jesus and resolve, with new fervour, to persevere in following Jesus.
If we commit a grave sin, we have to repent of it with all the greater sorrow as soon as possible and radically resolve to die rather than commit it again.
In the true Catholic Church, one must also confess a grave sin to a priest before one can receive Holy Communion. As for the faithful in Bergoglio’s apostate structure: if the confessor does not acknowledge even the gravest sin of homosexuality, such so-called confession is meaningless and harmful. Absolution from such priests is invalid and so is Holy Communion.
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