But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
What great assurance comes to the mind of the Christian when he knows that his fellowship with God is not being broken and destroyed every time he sins, either in a moment of weakness or ignorantly. (David speaks of "secret" sins, or sins of ignorance in Psalms 19:12-13.) Every Christian does not operate at the same level in his relationship to God. The newborn Christian may not be aware of all the wrongs he is committing. Does this mean that he is constantly "in grace" and "out of grace" because of his immaturity? Who would affirm such a position? Even those who have grown in the Lord over the years have their times of weakness in the midst of temptation. In verses 8 through 10, the apostle establishes that all of us sin from time to time. Should we be fearful about our destiny between the morning and evening prayers? Nay, verily! The presence of the blood of Christ in the fellowship of believers makes possible a flow of God’s grace that constantly keeps the Christian safe from the consequences of his sins, allowing him opportunity to grow in the Lord and make the necessary corrections in his life.