When we assert that we have no sin, we are essentially fooling ourselves, and the truth is absent from within us. The apostle doesn't describe a step-by-step procedure for obtaining forgiveness. Instead, he emphasizes that as sinners, we enter into a relationship with Christ, gaining the capacity to acknowledge our sinful nature because we commit sins. The apostle explains that we receive forgiveness by confessing our sins, which is central to maintaining our communion with God. This implies that, in some way, we must reach a state of acceptability, as sin acts as a barrier that resides within us. Therefore, the apostle suggests that the foundation of our relationship with Christ lies in a newfound understanding of our sinful nature. It is not about being incapable of sinning in order to maintain fellowship with Christ. Rather, he argues that we cannot utterly fail in our relationship with Christ because we have a straightforward remedy: we always turn to grace. Instead of implying that we need to perform specific acts of atonement to be accepted by Christ, the apostle asserts that acknowledging our sinful state and believing in our forgiveness is sufficient. He emphasizes that our private confession is a form of liberation because it is not a work or an action we perform to earn forgiveness.