"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to 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."

This is not a cause and effect statement, it is more of a evidence statement.

Often people read this thought and determine that IF we confess our sins, THEN we are forgiven.  Not true.

What John is describing for us is the character of the believer.  The follower of Christ lives his life in a way that shows freedom.  He or she is ready to confess sins, because he or she knows that they are forgiven already.

Thus the descriptive word for the follower of Christ is not "confessor", it is "free".  This places the glory where it belongs, on the One who gives us freedom, not on ourselves.

If you seek righteousness - remember your sins are forgiven.