"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar..."

Many (but not all) Episcopal churches heard 1 John 1:1-2:2 during worship today (it was optional), and I marveled at the irony of the author's warning (which I hijacked for the title of today's post) being read aloud by many who likely supported the ordination of non-celibate homosexual deacons, priests, and bishops, and who likely support same sex blessings and even same sex marriages in the church.

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

When we celebrate our sins by turning them into blessings, rites, or sacraments, we are saying that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Why can't we just admit our sins as they are and thank God for his forgiveness?

Why spend countless hours in round table discussions and producing endless printed words trying to disprove what the saints and apostles clearly name as one of the many sexual immoralities that most of us are in one way or another guilty?

Because his word is not in us, that's why.