He is faithful

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9, RSV)

If we confess our sins... The word confess here is good but it it has another dimension to it. Depending on your background confession can mean different things. Confession to a priest or a pastor. Public confession to the whole congregation. But really the word here means acknowledge. If we recognize our sin, if we agree with God's declaration about our sin the he will do something.

...he is faithful... somethings we read this sub consciously as he is obliged or he is required. Salvation is by the grace of God. We can't earn it, we can't pay for it and God isn't obligated to give it to us. However he has promised that if we align ourselves with Him, if we recognize what he has done. If we trust only in Him for salvation not in ourselves. If we place our eternal future only in his hand. Then he is faithful to forgive. He is faithful to save. By grace, not by works so that God is no ones debtor.

...he is just... this forgiveness isn't a slight of hand, it is a trick where God says "he is forgive because I say so." But rather God is justbecause Jesus Christ took the punishment for me.

Matthew Henry writes like this: Sin exists in the soul in forms: (1.) In guilt, which requires forgiveness or pardon. (2.) In pollution, whichrequires cleansing.

God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us. Fully? Yes. From ALL unrighteousness. Not just some. That full work includes cleansing. You can be clean, fully. Clean from all unrighteousness and God by his Spirit can keep you that way.

Blessings,

Gary