Those who confess sins are reassured that God will forgive, and remove that sin's impact on fellowship. Confession of sins has always been seen as a godly practice among those who turn to the Lord (Leviticus 5:5 16:21 Numbers 5:7 Ezra 10:1) and has been seen as a source of healing (James 5:16).

The pattern of positive / negative statements once again sets up the reader to expect a positive 'if' statement in this phrase (see notes in 1 John 1:8). In this fourth 'if' statement, John refers to confession of our sins to God. вЂњGod made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of GodвЂќ (2 Corinthians 5:21).What does 1 John 1:9 mean? God forgives sin when we accept the sacrifice of Jesus. The Bible even speaks of being born again in genetic terms: вЂњNo one who is born of God will continue to sin, because GodвЂ™s seed remains in themвЂќ (1 John 3:9, emphasis added). We can be adopted into GodвЂ™s family and inherit a new nature. We are all given the option to accept JesusвЂ™ cleansing (Romans 6:23). The sins of the parents will affect their children. We are all born with sinful natures because Adam chose to disobey God. Even more obviously, Adam and EveвЂ™s sin has affected all of us. The relatively new field of epigenetics is suggesting that trauma can leave вЂњmolecular scarsвЂќ on our DNA-and that those scars are passed down genetically to the third and fourth generation.

Certain sins take parents out of the home or inhibit their ability to be loving caregivers, setting the children up for possible problems in the future. Those who grow up watching sinful behavior are often more likely to engage in it themselves. Today, we see how parental sin affects children. The Israelites, as a nation, were punished by God for their sin, and that punishment sometimes affected the children as well. David and BathshebaвЂ™s first son died soon after birth due to DavidвЂ™s sin. On the other hand, it is obvious that the sins of parents do affect their children. Verse 18 says, вЂњWhoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of GodвЂ™s one and only Son.вЂќ Clearly, salvation is offered to all, regardless of the actions of oneвЂ™s parents. Ezekiel 18:30 says, вЂњTherefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways.вЂќ John 3:16 says that вЂњ whoever believes in shall not perish but have eternal lifeвЂќ (emphasis added). In Genesis we see God treat Cain differently from Abel, based on their different actions. In both the Old and New Testaments, we see God interact with people based on their own faith. The one who sins is the one who will die.вЂ™вЂќ At the same time, Exodus 20:5вЂ“6 says, вЂњFor I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.вЂќ So, do children bear responsibility for their parentsвЂ™ sin? Yes and no.

For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child-both alike belong to me. Verses 1 through 4 say, вЂњThe word of the Lord came to me: вЂWhat do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: вЂњThe parents eat sour grapes, and the childrenвЂ™s teeth are set on edgeвЂќ? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. Ezekiel 18 makes it clear that God holds each individual responsible for his or her own sin.

Sins of the father scripture