How do you interpret?

Question

1 John 1:19: If we confess our sins. He is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
So, if He can forgive us if we confess our sins, do we need to forvide others that have sinned against us?

Hi Cyn,

Thanks for answering
Nice to hear from you friend.
Take care

Answer 1

Yes, if the situation requires it. But you need seek forgiveness only from those who you've offended. In other words, if you've offended one person, you don't have to confess it to the entire congregation.

Jesus never said it was easy, but He does command us to do it.

Answer 2

But then are we a doormat? Be ready to forgive yes but be wise about it. Remember if you confess your sins, Repent, he will forgive us. Does God expect more from you than He requires of Himself?

Remember the passage where Peter asked Lord how many times should I forgive my brother IF HE REPENTS. That would be confession.

Again we are simplifying a concept that needs a full answer from the fullness of scripture.

But remember your brother may not know that he has sinned against you. Note the passage that reads if you bring your gift to the altar and remember have ought against your brother, leave your gift and go make peace with your brother then come offer your gift.

It is your responsibility to let your brother know they have offended you so they have a chance to repent. It may be that you have simply misunderstood what they have done or that they didn't know that it bothered you.

The fullness of scripture. Don't be simple minded Christians.

Answer 3

Hi INCOGNITO. Correction on the verse( 1 John 1:9).

Certainly, Forgiveness is a two way street. We should always forgive others who have wronged us, just as we seek forgiveness from God for our sins against him.

Answer 4

Do you remember the story of the man who owed a great debt but was forgiven, then turned around and insisted on payment from a man who owed him a pittance? The man who had forgiven the great debt found out and required full payment of the great debt.

So no, John 1:19 has nothing to do with forgiving others. But the Bible does. :o)

Answer 5

Luke 11:4 - Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation...

Answer 6

Matthew 6:14

"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Answer 7

Yes. You can not be forgiven by the Lord if you do not forgive others. That's the law.

Answer 8

I also appreciate vs 7 of this passage that ties in with vs 19
" 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 every sin"

" God is Light and In Him there is not Darkness at all"

In principle in order for us to receive forgiveness and mercy from the Lord, we need to be those also bestowing mercy and forgiveness to others. We cannot be like the man in the parables who had a large debt to pay to the master and was forgiven of the debt, yet he beat up on another slave who owed him a much lesser debt. In the end this one was dealt with and a strong message is given to us. God has forgiven us MUCH, we need to learn to forgive the LITTLE that others have done to us or if we have offended someone , we need to clear that up before the Lord.

Which is why it is important to be in the LIGHT. The Light I have found does many things. First off, it dispels darkness and exposes all the hidden things. It causes us to see our true condition. Out of this shining the Lord truly is able to show us things and matters in our lives that are contrary to Who He is in us. He is able to deal with the hidden sins. HE is able to show us where we offended others.. even on yahoo answers we can answer questions without the Lord being with us and offend many. We may be right... but we may not be in spirit. The Light also shows us how to Go on in the Lord. What path to take... His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path..under the light there is NO doubt... Light also causes things to GROW! hallelujah!

When walking in the Light, we are lead to have fellowship.. having fellowship with oneanother cannot be done properly if there are offenses and matters that cut off the flow between you and another believer. The Lord has given us such rich mercy and grace, that if we are walking in the Light and under His divine speaking and revelation we see that we may have sinned against another, we bring that matter up with that one and ask for forgiveness. I tell you sister.. this is such a blessing. To be with such a light heart and a conscience that is sprinkled with the BLood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THe thing about fellowship is that its TWO ways.. Its Horizontal between us and God.. and its Vertical between Us and other believers and persons. Each lead us to the other.
In that if your fellowship with the Lord is cut off... sometimes its the encouragement of the brothers and sisters that bring us back to fellowship and communion with Him. And in like manner if we have fellowship with the Lord Jesus... OUT FROM this fellowship would be a desire to be with other believers in the Body of Christ..of Whom you are a member.
So yes sister...
He cleanses us but we need to also, under the Shining Light of Jesus, confess our sins one to another.
Then His blood cleanses us not only from our sins, but from all unrighteousness.. the stain of sin upon us.

When we walk with the Lord/
In the Light of His word
What glory He sheds on our way
While we do His good will
He abides with us still
And with all who would Trust and Obey

Hallelujah!
Trust and obey
For there's no other way
TO be happy in JESUS!
But to trust and obey!


Lets remain in the Light sister
ur sis
sandy

Answer 9

ah yes, read a bit in the New Testament and you'll see how important forgivness is.

Answer 10

yes we do and that is not always easy,but as long as we put every thing to prayer we will always get the answer and the help we need to deal with these things.God bless.