Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 John 1:9

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9 (ASV)

If we confess our sins,— (1 John 1:9)

That is the point. He who says that he has no sins will not confess them. He who believes himself to be perfect cannot enjoy the blessing described in this ninth verse.

To deny that we have any sin is to walk in darkness and to show that we are without the light that would reveal our sin to us. If we are walking in darkness, we cannot be in fellowship with God.

But to see sin in ourselves from day to day, humbly to confess it, and mourn over it, is to walk in the light; and walking in the light, we shall have fellowship with God who is light. If we confess our sins,—