Three IFS

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. IF we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:7-9, NKJV)

Introduction

New testament writers, including Paul, have written things that are hard to understand.  Even Peter had trouble with some things Paul wrote.  If Paul is hard to understand, I would submit that the apostle John’s writings can be just as difficult.  For example he says,  Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:3-4 NKJV).” 

On the one hand, John says that if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  On the other hand he says that those who KNOW Him, keep His commandments.  Again he says, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. (1 John 3:9 NKJV).” Now I know that the usual explanation of these seemingly conflicting statements is to say that Christians have a conscience about sin and that sin is not the character of their life.  While I believe that to be true, I have trouble with the fact that John says that one who has been born of God CANNOT sin.  

Four reasons for writing the Epistle

First he says, “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:4 NKJV).”  So his writings should bring us joy.  Being honest, telling me that as a born again believer I cannot sin, does not bring me joy.  But knowing that I can and do sin and that confession of that will bring forgiveness and cleansing (it washes the sin away positionally as far as God is concerned), now that brings me joy.  That does not give me a license to sin, but it recognizes the reality of our sin nature and gives me a remedy. I believe that believing in the Lord for salvation and then confessing sin as a believer is walking in the light.

Second he says, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1 NKJV).”  So his writings should never give us an excuse to sin but if we do the Lord Himself is our defense attorney.   While Satan spends his time accusing believers to the Father (see Revelation 12:10),  the Lord defends us.  I like that.  That is something that I can understand and something that brings me joy.  

Third he says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13 NKJV).”  I KNOW I have eternal life because of the promises that God has made in the Bible (See John 5:24),  That brings me joy.

There may also be a fourth reason that caused John to write.  He says, These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you (1 John 2:26 NKJV).  John was concerned that believers might not have discernment when it comes to false teachers.  False teachers generally are making a great deal of money off of the Gospel.  

So Where does that Leave us?

I believe the epistle has more to do with fellowship than with salvation, but we need to discern who is saved in order to know with whom we should partner, which is the idea of fellowship.  We should have fellowship with one another but that fellowship is because of our fellowship with the Father.  John says, “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3 NKJV).”

I personally believe that John has defined the commandments that true believers keep (or guard).  He says, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep (guard) His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love  one another, as He gave us commandment (1 John 3:22-23 NKJV).”   Sometimes we don’t love one another as we ought but when we confess that sin, we are guarding the commandment even when it condemns us.

I believe that sin in this epistle is rejecting those two commandments.  I believe that sins have to do with the fact that while we believe in the commandments, we all fail with regard to them.  Do we always believe in the authority of the Lord or do we try to make Him be the kind of God we would be if we were God?  Do we really love one another?

I like to let the plain sense make sense and I like to let what is easy to understand explain that which is difficult.  It is on that basis that the three “if’s” in our verses for today bring me joy because I KNOW I am saved and because they give me a solution for failure even though we should not justify sin.   They do not set an impossible standard of behaviour for those of us who love the Lord.

Bruce Collins

Meditation for the week of August 24, 2025

If you would like further conversation about the issues in these meditations, contact me at collinsbd@yahoo.com and I will try to accommodate you with a virtual Bible Study.