CONFESSION

Posted on October 1, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

Welcome to a new month of Freedom Fighter blogs. We don’t take it lightly that you make the decision to dial in each morning to read the blogs that our team is writing each week.

Last week I was on Mackinac Island with 48 of our America’s Keswick partners and friends. It is a beautiful part of our country, and I encourage you to put it on your bucket list.

We walked the town, and we stopped in to see a historic Catholic church and what caught my eye was a door off the platform that said “CONFESSIONS.”

We don’t hear a lot today about confession of our sins. In many evangelical circles, we don’t hear much about sin period. But confession is very much a part of our walk as believers.

The writer of the book of 1 John addresses sin and confession head on. Some “exchanged life” teachers mistakenly say that since Jesus already paid our sin debt past, present and future there is no need to confess sin. There are too many other proof texts in Scripture that would cause me to disagree.

We need to be in the habit of keeping short accounts with the God. Yes, positionally, He has already paid our sin debt – past, present, future.

Dr. Henry Blackaby says that “if confession does not come out of repentance, it is merely admission, and not true confession. It is important to confess your sins specifically and not hide behind generalities. It is one thing to pray, ‘O Lord, forgive my sin.’ It’s quite another to identify your sin specifically in painful honesty.

We do not have to take a sacrifice to have our sins forgiven. Jesus was the permanent sacrifice. We can’t buy forgiveness from our sins – Jesus paid the debt completely. We confess our sin to God and His Word states very clearly that “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”

But there is a second part to confession. James makes it clear that we are to confess our sins to one another, and pray for one another … Yeah, right!!!

When was the last time you did that? We are not good at divulging our sins, especially the secret ones that we bury in the closets of our life. There is something very freeing when we are able to humble ourselves and confess and sins to one another.

Blackaby goes on to say, “There is tremendous freedom that comes as we openly acknowledge the sinfulness of our actions to others … Whenever possible, confession ought to be made directly to those whom your sin has hurt. You are not to confess the sin of others. Confession is not a sign of weakness; it is evidence of your refusal to allow sin to remain in your life.”

“Pride will discourage you from admitting to others the sinfulness of your heart. A desire to please God will compel you to confess your sin and rid yourself of its oppressive burden.” (Experiencing God – The Devotional).

There is something very freeing when we can be vulnerable to one another and confess to those things that are robbing us of the joy of the Lord in our lives. The text from James 5:16 indicates that not doing this is a hindrance to our prayer lives.

Another way to look at this is that is a form of accountability. Are you struggling with a sin – a secret sin – one that no one else knows about but you and God? Confess it to Him and receive His full forgiveness. But being willing to be humble and confessing it to another trusted brother is also very freeing and will also help us to be more circumspect in our daily walk.

When was the last time you went to confession? Take some time today to talk to God about your sin. He is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse you from ALL unrighteousness. But also find another brother that you trust that you can be vulnerable with. Get whatever that weight of sin is that is keeping you from being really free.

Overflowing and abounding in HOPE,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Luke 1, John 1:1-14| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. King Solomon
(Proverbs 28:13)

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: O Lord, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. “Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the Lord, The fountain of living waters.” Jeremiah 17:13