Confidence in Confession

Study Text

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Background/Context

Hebrews 3 and 4 talk about the promised land of rest for Israel and how we have that same promise of rest in Jesus Christ. There is warning given that we should be careful that we do not fail to enter that rest, much like many of the Israelites did because of their disobedience. How do we know that we are where we need to be?

We use God’s Word

Hebrews 4:12–13 ESV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

It’s knowing that the Word of God exposes sin in our life that leads us to this assuring passage that we indeed have a High Priest who goes before the Father on our behalf—Jesus!

“Let us hold fast our confession…”

This is urging us to not forsake what we know about Christ and His mercy when we look upon our sin. Yes sin is horrible and it separates us from God. But Jesus also came and died and rose again, that He might give us His mercy and grace when we turn to Him and confess.

“In every respect…”

The passage of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness is a picture of all the ways in which we will be tempted. And yet, Jesus was victorious in all the temptations that He faced. Now on the one hand, He is God, so of course He wouldn’t sin. Avoiding sin is easy for Him.

But I ask you this, who has more experience in overcoming temptation and living a holy life, someone who has faced temptation and succeeded at resisting it, or someone who resisted for a while, but eventually gave in? THE SUCCESSFUL ONE!

He knows every aspect of our temptation not only by information but experience. He entered into our struggle and defeated it!

“Let us then with confidence draw near…”

Knowing all that Jesus has done and that Jesus did all of that, knowing everything about you and me, including the sin that is on our mind right now, should motivate us to approach Him in confidence. He wants to forgive us. We’re not asking the King for something that He doesn’t want to give. In fact, He’s more disappointed when we don’t come to Him after all that He has done to make a way for us to be forgiven.

Our Need for Forgiveness

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

After salvation our sin doesn’t take away our salvation or our standing before God. Sin does put stumbling blocks and walls in between us and God so far as our relationship goes. And while sin also doesn’t constitute as apostasy, it can lead to it if we continue in sin and begin to harden our heart to the voice of God.

Satan wants us to live with sin. He also wants us to live with shame. But Jesus wants to forgive and forget and move on. But we must confess. This is one of the greatest aspects of prayer. We get to put forth the most honest version of ourselves because God already knows what that version looks like.

So come before God in confession as we pray over the other needs tonight.