A
artful horizon
Guest
Context is always vital when understanding the letters to various people and churches.8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
Those who are in Christ, can confess our sin and be forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness.
JLB
In the case of 1st John , the letter is being addressed to the Asia church. The effort to bring understanding and correction to the Gnostic's and the people in Ephesus who not only did not believe Christ came in the flesh but, that sin itself wasn't real.
If a church today teaches we must continually confess our sins in order to remain in fellowship with God. That actually then makes the laws something that comes between us and the work on the cross.
Sin is a dead issue between God and ourselves.
The 1 John 1 letter was not talking to those who are saved and in Christ.