On 1 John 1:9

Forgiveness and Confession

We should always confess our sins to him and each other, but his forgiveness is there even before we confess our sins:

“II. The apostle then instructs the believer in the way to the continued pardon of his sin. Here we have, 1. His duty in order thereto: If we confess our sins, v. 9. Penitent confession and acknowledgment of sin are the believer’s business, and the means of his deliverance from his guilt”

(not from God’s condemnation because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ – Romans 8:1. We are not condemn by God if we believe on Christ. Therefore there is no need for asking forgiveness). – my insert

“And, 2. His encouragement thereto, and assurance of the happy issue. This is the veracity, righteousness, and clemency of God, to whom he makes such confession: He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, v. 9. God is faithful to his covenant and word, wherein he has promised forgiveness to penitent believing confessors. He is just to himself and his glory who has provided such a sacrifice, by which his righteousness is declared in the justification of sinners. He is just to his Son who has not only sent him for such service, but promised to him that those who come through him shall be forgiven on his account. By his knowledge (by the believing apprehension of him) shall my righteous servant justify many, Isa. 53:11. He is clement and gracious also, and so will forgive, to the contrite confessor, all his sins, cleanse him from the guilt of all unrighteousness, and in due time deliver him from the power and practice of it.”
~blueletterbible.org / Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 John 1

Here is the Greek for “we confess” @ 1 John 1:9:

Homologeō
1) to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent
2) to concede
a) not to refuse, to promise
b) not to deny
1) to confess
2) declare
3) to confess, i.e. to admit or declare one's self guilty of what one is accused of
3) to profess
a) to declare openly, speak out freely
b) to profess one's self the worshipper of one
4) to praise, celebrate

Here is the Greek for “forgive” @ Matt 6:12:

Aphiēmi
1) to send away
a) to bid going away or depart
1) of a husband divorcing his wife
b) to send forth, yield up, to expire
c) to let go, let alone, let be
1) to disregard
2) to leave, not to discuss now, (a topic)
a) of teachers, writers and speakers
3) to omit, neglect
d) to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit
e) to give up, keep no longer
2) to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person
3) to leave, go way from one
a) in order to go to another place
b) to depart from any one
c) to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all mutual claims are abandoned
d) to desert wrongfully
e) to go away leaving something behind
f) to leave one by not taking him as a companion
g) to leave on dying, leave behind one
h) to leave so that what is left may remain, leave remaining
i) abandon, leave destitute

It’s the peace of Christ that is seen by knowing that if we believe “on” Christ our sins are forgiven already & always!

Galatians 6:2 admonishes us to bear each other’s burdens. I believe that through confession to each other we are able to do that. There is no need to ask forgiveness because we have already been justified by Christ before, so therefore, know that God has forgiven you and that you are free from sin and sinning to live as free people!

Also, note that to love Christ, believing “on” him and abiding in him, we must keep and abide in his word (John 14:23). This is one way to know that we are believing on Christ and not just claiming a belief in Christ, a belief that doesn’t produce fruit.