Confessing our Sinfulness

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

I used to read this verse and wonder how I could possibly confess or name all my sins to God. I sure can't remember them all, and don't even think about so many of them as sins, even though they are.

Also I have read this verse and others and wondered: ' I thought my sins were already forgiven at the cross, why am I to name them each day and ask for forgiveness again. '

Well, I now think that what this verse is talking about is professing and acknowledging always that I AM a sinner, and am in need of a Saviour. --Agreeing with God that I am sinful. Alot of times that will entail naming particular sins just because I am burdened with them and sorry for them and naming them is part of agreeing with God of just how sinful I am. But I do not have to worry about naming every sin everyday in order to have them forgiven. All my sins are already forgiven at the cross.

AND I think this verse is essentially saying that all those that do truly see their sinful condition and their great need of a Saviour already ARE forgiven. The confession (or agreeing with God) is the evidence of salvation, not the cause of it.

It is true, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It's just that we won't confess or look at just how sinful we are, unless we are one of his. And if we are one of his, we definitely will confess our sinfulness.

I think that anybody that believes they can in any way contribute to their own salvation really cannot see just how sinful they are. If they could, they would know that all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. No work we can do could possibly make God look favorably upon us. --Only the work that Christ has done. So..... I think the verse is saying: if we agree with God that all our deeds truly are sinful, we will know that we can do nothing to attain salvation and therefore know that only thru Christ can we be saved, and when we know this (thru the Holy Spirit's revelation), we know that we are forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness.

Hope my jibberish makes some kind of sense. And I pray the Lord will teach me and show me the truth, if that isn't it. ...........Goodnight.