CONFESSION’S GIFT
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “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, ESV
Theme: “Keeping it real” means confessing the truth with a trusted believer and praying for each other, even when it is difficult.
CONFESS
Does anyone like admitting their mistakes, sins, failures, or weaknesses? I know I don’t. I can try to deny it and hide, yet when caught, there is shame. I can make excuses, blame someone else, or try to minimize it just as Adam and Eve did in the garden. They hid just like we do. Yet hiding also separates us from relationships and connections. Confession is actually good for us, but it doesn’t feel good.
TO GOD AND MYSELF, BUT WHY OTHERS?
Picture a serious wound on my leg. What if I pretend it is not there? It will only get worse. Infection will set in; it will start to emit odor. Increasing pain will limit my ability to walk, affecting my life. Eventually, it could take my leg or worse become septic, taking my life all together. If I admit the wound to my doctor, then I can get the medicine I desperately need, leading to healing and a restored life.
Confession is the doorway opened by God’s grace to receive salvation. As God’s children, we continue to come to Him daily, walking through that open door, receiving ongoing grace, forgiveness and joy. It is already ours if we will just step across the threshold. Jesus told Peter he didn’t need a whole bath because he was already clean, but he still needed his feet washed. “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8, NIV). Confession is the fruit of a contrite heart, looking to God’s grace for cleansing, wholeness and peace. Confession requires humility, the opposite of pride.
As His children we do not have to fear coming to God to confess. He already knows and is not surprised. Better yet, He will embrace us as He did the prodigal son in Luke, chapter 15. The son rehearsed his confession; ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son….’ (Luke 15:18b-19a, NIV). Yet before he could even confess, the father ran to him, hugged him and celebrated his return.
We need to be honest about our sin, like David in Psalms 51:3: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (NIV). Paul declares in Romans: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing...What a wretched man I am!” (Romans 7:19, 24a, NIV). These are confessions without any if’s, and’s or but’s.
It is very difficult to admit our sins, even to people we love and trust. Why do we have to tell another person beyond confessing to God? It helps us break the hold which sin has on us when it is out in the open. This is the last step in delivering us from the grip of pride. It keeps us from pretending in public while confessing in private and holds us accountable. It also helps others. They may identify with us and say, “Same for me!” Now that is a connection! It can lead to repentance and forgiveness, healing a broken relationship, and love restored. First confess and apologize to the person or people you have hurt. If you haven’t hurt anyone else, find someone who is humble, willing to listen, and will not judge - a safe person.
Confessing to ourselves brings us out of denial and into the truth. Confessing to God frees us from shame and guilt. Confessing to others brings accountability, connection, and leads to heartfelt worship in deep appreciation of Jesus, who made it all possible.
THE ONLY RIGHTEOUS PERSON
Jesus is the only truly righteous person. When we confess our sin and believe the Gospel, we become righteous people (Jesus in us) who can pray with His power. David, when he confessed his sin, also confessed faith in God’s mercy, praying, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7, NIV). Paul, after saying, “What a wretched man I am!” went to the next step, “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25 NIV) The gospel removes our need to defend ourselves with excuses, minimizing and blame shifting. We can shout to the world telling what Jesus has done for us.
Make It Personal: What do you need to confess today? Where has shame robbed you of life? Do you believe that God runs to you, hugs you tight, celebrating your daily return because of Jesus? He does, and He never gets tired of it. Do you see the beauty of grace when you confess? When I admitted to myself that I was very envious of a colleague who received more praise at work, the Gospel enabled me to admit it and to confess it to God, finding complete relief. It was hard to admit to others, but when I shared it all at Celebrate Recovery, I found connection. I was no longer hiding in pain and shame. I invite you to join us on Tuesdays at 6 pm at the Mooresville campus. Click the link for further details: https://www.covechurch.org/care/celebraterecovery/
Pray: Abba Father, I come to you and confess ________________. Thank You for your grace and mercy. Show me who You would have me confess to and pray with so we can help each other. Help me. I need You each day to truly confess and rest in Your grace. Amen
Read: Isaiah 57:15-19; Psalms 32:4-6; Proverbs 28:13; Luke 18:9-14; Acts 19:18; 1 John 1:9
Listen: Meditate on this song.
Weekly Memory Verse: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:8-9, ESV