S – 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 CSB

O – Commentary – 

confess our sins Confession of sin opens a person to the work of God within them, relinquishing the power of sin over their life through the power of Jesus (2:1; compare 3:8). John is not suggesting that the act of confession is required for salvation. God does the saving work; people cannot save themselves (2:12; John 3:16–17). Instead, confession opens a person to the work of the Holy Spirit, leading to the removal of sinful behaviors and desires (1 John 3:24).

he Refers to God, who will forgive us through the atoning death of Jesus (1 John 1:7).

faithful Meaning that God is true to the agreement He made with His people, which established the true cost of sin (Deut 7:9; Jer 31:31–34; compare Lev 4–5).

just God demonstrates this attribute by carrying out His promise of bringing people into relationship with Him through Christ’s sacrificial death (compare Isa 53:10–12).

forgive When people admit that they are sinful, God honors His word by both forgiving them and giving them the power to overcome sin

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 1 Jn 1:9.

A – There is freedom in acknowledging and confessing our sins to God.  He knows we sin and our recognition of it shows our dependence on him in forgiveness.  It is another reflection of his love – so much, that he would send Jesus to cover our sins with his blood on the cross.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our Redeemer.  You forgive and redeem us from our sins.  Thank you for loving us so much that Jesus would go to the cross so we could be forgiven and set free from sin in our lives.