Grace in Focus Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode: Is 1 John 1:9 Evangelistic?

Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Bob Wilkin (C), with Sam Marr (B)
Theme: Distinguishing whether 1 John 1:9 is a call to salvation (evangelistic) or an instruction for believers (sanctification and fellowship).

Episode Overview

In this informative episode, Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr address a listener question about the famous New Testament verse, 1 John 1:9: Is it aimed at nonbelievers as an invitation to salvation (evangelistic)? Or, is it guidance for those already in the faith about maintaining fellowship (sanctification)? Using scriptural context and practical theology, they critique alternate interpretations and emphasize the Free Grace perspective, briefing listeners on distinctions essential to assurance, evangelism, and Christian living.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Listener’s Question and the “Evangelistic” Interpretation

[01:18]

• Sam Marr introduces a question from Chip, whose wife prefers an author suggesting that confessing sins in 1 John 1:9 is actually an invitation to become a Christian.
  • "This other author holds that First John 1:9 is an evangelistic passage...for a believer to admit, confess, acknowledge their sin would put a burden on the believer that the Lord would never expect." — Sam Marr ([01:36])

2. Explaining (and Challenging) the Evangelistic View

[02:01-03:51]

• Bob Wilkin summarizes that author’s position: If you confess you’re a sinner, “there’s hope”—but nowhere is being born again or believing in Jesus mentioned.
  • "If 1 John 1:9 is an evangelistic verse, then we wouldn't need to believe in Jesus, would we? Where's anything about believing in Jesus in 1 John 1:9?" — Bob Wilkin ([03:30])
• Bob emphasizes that if this is aimed at nonbelievers, it would require them to confess particular sins, not just generally admit sinfulness, which doesn't fit the broader gospel message.

3. The Problem with Minimizing Confession for Believers

[03:58-05:22]

• Bob recounts that in some Free Grace circles, there’s a parallel belief discouraging confession for believers, arguing it’s legalistic and that Christians are always “in fellowship” because of constant cleansing.
  • "Some of these people say God never judges believers...Some of the believers in Corinth got drunk at the Lord's Supper...they have to say those are natural consequences, not actual consequences from God." — Bob Wilkin ([04:27])
• He warns this approach “leads to no accountability” and is inconsistent biblically.

4. Textual Context: Who is John Writing To?

[05:22-07:37]

• Sam Marr underscores that the first chapter is directed to believers—including John himself.
  • "John is very easy to understand here...he's including himself in what he's talking about. That means that John has sinned. That doesn't mean he's an unbeliever." — Sam Marr ([06:26])
• The repeated “we” demonstrates that mature, overcoming Christians—not new converts or seekers—are in view.

5. 1 John’s Emphasis on Fellowship, Not Conversion

[07:37-10:25]

• Bob Wilkin explicates 1 John’s purpose: fostering fellowship with God, not describing how to gain eternal life for the first time.
  • "If you read 1:14 of 1 John, it's clear that his purpose is that the readers might have fellowship with the apostles and with God." — Bob Wilkin ([07:37])
• He points out that John never equates confession with believing in Jesus or eternal security—but shows confession is a provision for believers’ ongoing walk.

6. The Theological Consequences of Reinterpreting 1 John 1:9

[10:25-11:30]

• “No Burden” presupposition: Wilkin challenges the idea that confession is burdensome or unneeded, citing Paul’s testimony of spiritual effort.
  • "When I read the New Testament, it sounds like it’s going to be hard work." — Sam Marr ([10:38])
• If confession is required for salvation, the central point of the saving message—faith in Christ—is lost.

7. The Liberating Nature of Confession for Believers

[11:30-12:54]

• Confession is not a crushing weight; it's liberating, maintains fellowship, and is an invitation to restoration, not condemnation.
  • "Confessing our sins is not some burden. In fact, we don't have to pull off the side of the road...All we do is acknowledge that we have sinned to the Lord. It's liberating." — Bob Wilkin ([12:13])
• Sam Marr highlights 1 John 2: we have an advocate in Jesus—even if we sin, forgiveness and fellowship are available through Him.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If 1 John 1:9 is an evangelistic verse, then we wouldn't need to believe in Jesus, would we?” — Bob Wilkin ([03:30])
• “This whole first chapter is rich in instruction for believers...But if you're starting with that viewpoint, you will misunderstand everything he's written.” — Sam Marr ([05:22])
• “The idea that First John 1:9 is an evangelistic verse is one you have to impose on the text...The problem with that view is it doesn't fit any scripture in the Old or New Testament.” — Bob Wilkin ([09:30])
• “Confessing our sins is not some burden...It's liberating. Because I'm like, yeah, I messed up, didn't I?” — Bob Wilkin ([12:13])
• “We have an advocate ready there. So you confess your sin and now you've been forgiven.” — Sam Marr ([12:34])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:18] — Introduction of the question about 1 John 1:9’s scope
• [02:38–03:58] — Examination of the “evangelistic” view, why it falls short
• [05:22–06:31] — Unpacking the first-person plural (“we”)—John speaking to believers
• [07:37–09:55] — 1 John’s central concern: fellowship, not initial salvation
• [10:25–10:38] — The myth of “no burden” Christianity debunked
• [12:04–12:34] — Confession as liberating, not legalistic burden
• [12:34] — Christ as advocate for believers who sin

Tone and Language

The hosts are conversational but deeply scriptural, clarifying theological distinctions with a tone that’s earnest, instructional, and occasionally wry—especially regarding ideas they see as misinterpretations.

Final Takeaway

The episode delivers a clear Free Grace perspective: 1 John 1:9 is a vital resource for believers' ongoing fellowship and spiritual health—not a message of how to be saved for the first time. Interpreting the verse evangelistically strips the gospel of its center: faith in Jesus for eternal life.

“If you misunderstand first John 1:9, ...yes, it sounds like...I don't want that burden, or God doesn't want that burden on me. But really, this is the opposite of that. This verse is teaching that God helps alleviate burden, that he is still with us and helps us.” — Sam Marr ([11:32])

For deeper study, visit faithalone.org.