Confession

by Melissa J | More from this Blogger

22 Apr 2007 02:06 AM

Who do we make confession to?

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is our advocate. I believe it is Christ who we are to pray to and ultimately confess our sins to.

• "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)

Prior to Jesus' coming, Nehemiah gives us an example of confession to God for his sins and the sins of the Israelites.

• "Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned." (Nehemiah 1:6)

In the fifth chapter of James, it talks about confessing sins to each other. I do not believe this is solely for the forgiveness of others, but perhaps to keep accountability among one another.

• "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)

What are we to confess?

We are to confess our sins against God to God (as Nehemiah gave example of). I believe we are also to confess our sins directly to that person we've sinned against, in addition to God.

Where is confession to be made?

I have not found anything on this, but in Matthew it says if your brother sins against you, go to him in private. If he doesn't want to hear you out, then take a couple witnesses. If he doesn't want to hear then, tell the church (Matthew 18:15).

When should we confess?

I think the longer confession is put off the more it can eat at a person, weighing on their conscious. It seems many who keep their sins to themselves feel guilty in front of God and want to hide. Look at Adam and Eve for example; God called out for Adam asking where he was. Adam finally answered and confessed he'd heard God's voice but was afraid to answer because he was ashamed of his nakedness which he became aware of as a result of his sin (Genesis 3:9-19)

• "When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You..." (Psalm 32:3-6)

Why should we confess?

As David claimed in the Psalm 32 scripture, his heart grew heavy while he refrained from confessing to God. God knows our sins; He doesn't need us to tell Him. I believe confession is for us; to come to terms with our sin and repent.

• "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)

How should we confess?

The Bible talks about confession being made with the mouth in Romans 10:10. Nehemiah broke down his sin for us in Nehemiah 1:7-10.

• "We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statues, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if your return to Me and keep my commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.' Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand."

I believe confession should be made in humility, and with a sincere and repentant heart giving glory to God for his graciousness and mercy.

Scripture references were quoted from the NKJV.

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