Let's talk about confession - Oct. 21-26
Confession, what do you think of when you read this word? Unfortunately for myself and I expect many other believers, we tend to think of the Roman Catholic expression of confession. Where you cannot be forgiven of your sins unless they are confessed to the priest, this is of course not how your sins are forgiven. Because of this many of us protestant believers shy away from the idea of confession, however, in this last week reading through 1 John we see an emphasis placed on the importance of it.
But if we walk in the light, as he 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 we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. - 1 John 1:7-10
We see it again in James.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. - James 5:16
Confession of our sin is a crucial part of our Christian walk. Why is that? Well we see in scripture that there is a certain power to confession, the Word of God talks about forgiveness, cleansing and healing all coming forth from confession. Sin cannot stand God’s light, and so when we confess to one another it absolutely loses some of it’s hold on us in the process. Further to this I have seen how one person’s confession leads to more. Shining a light on our own sin makes it easier for our brothers or sisters in Christ to do the same, so not only does it weaken sin’s hold on our lives, but on others lives as well. This is how we are called to live, walking in the light, in fellowship with one another. If you don’t have a brother or sister to confess to, might I suggest that you give it a try? The elders of your church are a great place to start, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
Have a great week!