God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” and yet we walk in darkness,
we are lying and are not practicing the truth.
If we say, “We have no sin,”
we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we say, “We have not sinned,”
we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He Himself is the propitiation—the atoning sacrifice—for our sins.
So, the saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Because we have received mercy, we gather to set our attention and affection on the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To the King of the Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.
been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.