Before we move on from 1 John 1, there are a couple more important observations we need to make about this chapter. I know of nowhere else in the Bible where you find statements like, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves (1:8),” and, “If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar (1:10).” These statements are so contrary to traditional Christian thinking that I wouldn’t be surprised if historically, preachers have just left this passage alone, or passed over it without much comment.

If we claim we have no sin, or we claim that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves and calling God a liar? But wait. Aren’t we supposed to be living and acting like we are free from sinning? Isn’t that the impression most people give in church? If it is, it is dead wrong, and according to John, we are not living in the truth.

So what could John be talking about here? He’s talking about grace. He knows that if sin is no longer an issue, then we don’t need grace, and if we don’t need grace, we have disqualified ourselves from the gospel. And that is not only dangerous, it is deadly.

Without sin there is no truth in us. Without sin, there is no need for grace, and without grace, we are all dead in our sins. (See, we are all sinners, we just like to play like we are not.) That’s why John says don’t claim you have no sin, because sin is your ticket into heaven.

Without sin, we will meet God in our supposed righteousness, and I hope no one tries to do that.