We've been discussing sin confession and how 1 John 1:9 is actually directed towards Gnosticism. I'd like to take another angle on this, that would put into question even the idea of having to confess our sins. Mainly recognizing Jesus as High Priest and also verses that speak of God not remembering our sins, or even holding them against us. Now, of course, I can already see people crying out that this is in reference to past sins prior to conversion... even though technically all sin past the cross was future, but that is besides the point. We have to examine what it means that Jesus is our High Priest, and also what that means in how sin is dealt with (or rather was dealt with).
I was going to do research and post verses, but I realized back in 2014 I made a detailed post about this, so rather than basically write what I already wrote once, I am going to just share the post I wrote on Jesus as High Priest. I think it clearly shows that sin has been dealt with, and if it has, theres no reason to confess in order that we be forgiven.
Hebrews 7:18-25
New International Version (NIV)
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became apriest with an oath when God said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office;24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
He is able to save you completely because he always lives to intercede for you. Do you see the depths of his love for you?
He points to the cross. Remember his words? "It is finished!" I will now explain something in regards to your future sins. Most everyone is able to accept that upon accepting Christ their sins are forgiven. However, people assume this means past sins only. I will endeavor to show you, through scripture, that not only your past sins have been dealt with, but present and future sins. We will use Hebrews and tie it in to the above verse, that He is our HighPriest (forever).
We are going to look at Hebrews 10.
Hebrews 10
New International Version (NIV)
Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All
10 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
So, we see that the blood of bulls and goats never really took away sins. The blood just covered them, until the next sin and then they had to do another sacrifice. As is said, "Fresh sin, fresh blood." This is why the priests had to keep doing it again and again. And mind you, this only covered past sins. Not future sins, remember "Fresh sin, fresh blood." Hebrews 10 goes on to say this:
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest[Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Before I make my next point (a comparison of the blood of bulls and goats, and Jesus' blood), I'd like to point some things out in verses 11-14. First off it says he offered "for all time one sacrifice for sins." All time... past? Yes. Present? Sound about right. Future? That's all time, so yes. I will further make this point, but let me also point out that Jesus sat down, as a priest. He, unlike the other priests before him, did one sacrifice and sat down at the Father's right hand. The other priests had to continually sacrifice, with every new sin, however Jesus, did it once and sat down. Is "It is finished" ringing in your ears?
Now, lets make another point. If the blood of bulls and goats only covered past sins (fresh sin, fresh blood, and it did), what makes Jesus' blood any better, if it too only covers past sins? Not to mention, all your sins were future in reference to the cross. But, think about it. If Jesus' blood was like that of the blood of animals, only dealing with past sins, would that not mean with every new sin, he'd have to be sacrificed (just like the bulls and goats)? Not to mention, Jesus' blood didn't cover sins, but took away sins.
Hebrews 9:24-28
New International Version (NIV)
24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
That's a lot to take in, especially if you come from a religious background of sin confession and keeping "short accounts" with God. So, let me ask you. Is the blood of Jesus greater than the blood of bulls and goats? It isn't if you have to keep confessing your sins for forgiveness sake, then you might as well keep sacrificing the blood of bulls and goats. Its the same thing right? Only covering past sins, right? With every new sin, a person confesses it for forgiveness. It just like the blood of bulls and goats, Old Testament way of dealing with sins, just not as messy. But, as has been shown above, all sins for all time have been taken away. We are forgiven. Let me show you what the Holy Spirit says on the matter, in the Word.
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
17 Then he adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”
18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
If I indeed dare say, if a person confesses sins for forgiveness sake, they are making the blood of Jesus common, which refers to making it be like the blood of bulls and goats, only able to deal with the past. With every confession being like a new sacrifice, to cover the new sin.
So, lets tie it in. Lets go back to the first scripture quoted to let you have your assurance of salvation!
Hebrews 7:23-25
New International Version (NIV)
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office;24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
How does he intercede? By pointing to His finished work! The cross, and His shed blood. That blood cleanses you, and has taken away your sins (past, present, and future)!