If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

I John 1:8, 9, 10

I recall when this passage written by John impacted me so strongly, while in Tanzania when I was in my late twenties.  I was raised in a denomination that sought for perfection.   Anything less was considered insufficient.  I did not realize how that attitude shaped my whole life and, to my amazement, cut me off from many people who had a different view, like John.  John is making no excuse for sin but reminds us of the eternal reality, no matter hard we strive, we can never make ourselves holy and pure, that is the work of the Spirit of God, not ours.

Verse 10 opened my eyes.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.  Am I reading this correctly?  John does not say, if we claim to have not sinned we make ourselves a liar, no, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

So, there it is. The door is wide open to live daily in the freedom of knowing our sins are forgiven, every day, and we are blessed beyond measure by that freedom that is exhilarating.