8, 9. (a) On what basis will Jehovah forgive us? (b) As regards sin, what were certain apostates saying, and why were they wrong?

⁸ John next cites the basis for cleansing from sin. (Read 1 John 1:8–2:2.) If we say, “We have no sin,” we deny the fact that all imperfect humans are sinful, and “the truth is not in us.” (Romans 5:12) But God is “faithful” and forgives us “if we confess our sins” to him with a repentant attitude that moves us to abandon wrongdoing. (Proverbs 28:13) God said of those in the new covenant: “Their sin I shall remember no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-12) In forgiving them, he is faithful to that promise.

10. In what way is Jesus “a propitiatory sacrifice”?

¹⁰ John writes “these things” about sin, forgiveness, and cleansing so that we may not practice sin. His words should move us to strive earnestly not to sin. (1 Corinthians 15:34) But if we do commit “a sin” and are repentant, we have “a helper with the Father”​—“Jesus Christ, a righteous one,” who pleads our cause with God. (Hebrews 7:26; compare John 17:9, 15, 20.) Jesus is “a propitiatory sacrifice.” His death satisfied justice and made it possible for God to extend mercy and remove the charge of sin in the case of spiritual Israelites and ‘the whole world,’ including the “great crowd.” (Romans 6:23; Galatians 6:16; Revelation 7:4-14) How we appreciate that sacrifice!