Counseling: Personal Acknowledgment and Confession of Sin...

The Gospel Call and True Conversion Personal Acknowledgment and Confession of Sin

Personal Acknowledgment and Confession of Sin

Repentance not only involves inward sorrow of the heart but also personal acknowledgment and open confession that God’s opinion of us is true and His verdict is just: we are sinners, we have sinned, and we deserve divine condemnation. Biblical repentance always involves an owning up to what we are and what we have done. This truth runs contrary to the beliefs of our contemporary culture. We are a self-excusing and self-justifying people who, according to popular thought, are never truly at fault, but we are always victims of some malicious and often nameless power beyond our control. We find or invent the cleverest means of attributing our sins to anything or anyone outside of ourselves. We self-righteously point the finger at society, education, upbringing, or circumstance, and are appalled and even angered at the slightest indication that guilt should be laid at our feet. However, when we are converted, we have a radically altered understanding of this opinion of the age. For the first time in our lives, we turn our indicting finger back upon ourselves and honestly own up to our sin. Our mouths are shut, and we see ourselves as accountable to God. We offer no excuse and seek no avenue of escape.

We accompany our personal acknowledgment of guilt—our taking full responsibility for our deeds—with an honest transparency before God and a heartfelt confession of sin. The word confess comes from a Greek word that literally means “to speak the same thing.” In the divine work of conversion, God opens up the heart of the sinner and speaks to him about his sin. The Word of God, living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, pierces the very depths of his heart and exposes even its deepest thoughts and intentions.22 Then, for the first time in his life, the sinner comes face-to-face with his sin and understands something of its heinous nature. It is ever before him, and, try as he might, he cannot remove the horrid image of himself that he sees. He can no longer hide but must acknowledge his sin before God and confess his transgressions to the Lord. Like David, he is compelled to cry out in full recognition of his guilt and in willing confession:

Personal Acknowledgment and Confession of Sin

Personal Acknowledgment and Confession of Sin

Repentance not only involves inward sorrow of the heart but also personal acknowledgment and open confession that God’s opinion of us is true and His verdict is just: we are sinners, we have sinned, and we deserve divine condemnation. Biblical repentance always involves an owning up to what we are and what we have done. This truth runs contrary to the beliefs of our contemporary culture. We are a self-excusing and self-justifying people who, according to popular thought, are never truly at fault, but we are always victims of some malicious and often nameless power beyond our control. We find or invent the cleverest means of attributing our sins to anything or anyone outside of ourselves. We self-righteously point the finger at society, education, upbringing, or circumstance, and are appalled and even angered at the slightest indication that guilt should be laid at our feet. However, when we are converted, we have a radically altered understanding of this opinion of the age.

When God’s Law comes against us in our sin what happens to our mouths? (Romans 3:19)

For the first time in our lives, we turn our indicting finger back upon ourselves and honestly own up to our sin. Our mouths are shut, and we see ourselves as accountable to God. We offer no excuse and seek no avenue of escape.

We accompany our personal acknowledgment of guilt—our taking full responsibility for our deeds—with an honest transparency before God and a heartfelt confession of sin. The word confess comes from a Greek word that literally means “to speak the same thing.”

Look up and list the ways that God’s Word is described.

In the divine work of conversion, God opens up the heart of the sinner and speaks to him about his sin. The Word of God, living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, pierces the very depths of his heart and exposes even its deepest thoughts and intentions. Then, for the first time in his life, the sinner comes face-to-face with his sin and understands something of its heinous nature. It is ever before him, and, try as he might, he cannot remove the horrid image of himself that he sees.

Look up and write out what you think the David is describing.

He can no longer hide but must acknowledge his sin before God and confess his transgressions to the Lord.

Look up . Do you see any comparison between your relationship with the Lord and Davids?

What kinds of things does David, who is compelled to cry out in full recognition of his guilt, confess ().

The prophet Hosea describes the believer’s new transparency before God, by which he enters into agreement with Him and openly confesses that everything God says about him is true:

— Take words of repentance with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our iniquity and accept what is good, so that we may repay you with praise from our lips.

It is important to note that such sensitivity to sin and confession of it is a mark of a true believer, but the lack of such is evidence that a person may still be in an unconverted state.

Washer, P. (2013). The Gospel Call and True Conversion (p. 11). Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.

What’s John say in ? One of the greatest evidences of true conversion is not sinless perfection, as some have erroneously supposed. Instead, it is sensitivity to sin, transparency before God regarding sin, and open confession of sin.

Turning Away from Sin

In the Old Testament, the word repents is translated primarily from a Hebrew word that means “to return or turn back.” It implies not only a turning away from evil, but also a turning to righteousness. Therefore, one of the telltale signs of genuine repentance will be honest and sincere forsaking or turning away from sin. The abundance of tears a person may shed or the apparent sincerity of his confession alone is never definite evidence of biblical repentance. All this must be accompanied by a turning away from that which God hates and opposes. This truth is so clearly set forth in the Scriptures that it requires very little commentary, as in these three verses from the prophet Ezekiel. Look them up and write down what they mean to you. (; ; 33:11).

Thus says the Lord GOD: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations” (; ; 33:11).

Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed (18:30–31).

“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?” (33:11).

Washer, P. (2013). The Gospel Call and True Conversion (p. 11). Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.

It is an undeniable biblical truth that genuine repentance will manifest itself in a turning away from sin. However, this truth about repentance has often led to confusion and fear, among even the most pious believers. Such confusion often manifests itself in the following questions:

Have I truly repented if I again commit the sin that I have renounced and abhor?

Do my frequent failures indicate that I am unrepentant?

This very sensitive question requires a great deal of balance. On the one hand, a frequent return to sin and lack of any sustained victory over it may be evidence of a superficial and unbiblical repentance.

What did John the Baptist admonished the Pharisees to do? see “

What does Jesus declare? see .

On the other hand, regardless of the progress a believer has made in sanctification, even the most mature one will find the Christian life to be a great struggle against sin with frequent battles, great victories, and discouraging defeats. On this side of heaven, no believer will ever make a complete break with sin to be immune from its deception and free from all moral failure. Although true believers will grow in their forsaking of sin, sin will still be a repetitive malady in their lives. Although it may become less frequent or pronounced, sin will never be eradicated completely until the believer’s ultimate glorification in heaven. Although God has promised to cleanse us “from all [our] filthiness and from all [our] idols,” the most mature believer among us will at times be caught in the very sin that he or she has renounced (). Though we struggle against sin and run for holiness as one who runs for the prize; though we discipline our body and make it our slave; and though we walk in this world with the greatest care and wisdom, we will find that we are not yet perfected and still in need of repentance and grace.

Look up and list some ways that you are training for the race of life, to reach the finish line.

Look up , and list some ways that you are intentionally paying careful attention to and making the most of your time.

For this reason, believers should not despair about the battle they wage or their frequent need of repentance as they struggle against sin. The reality of such a struggle is a mark of true conversion. The false convert—the hypocrite—knows no such battle.

Look up and list the type of person that God looks upon favorably and promises His presence to. Not to someone who is perfect but who?

So, then, a great balance is required. There are two sides to this coin, and one cannot be lost without the other. On one hand, genuine Christians will experience a gradual progress in sanctification and frequent victories over sin. He who began a good work of repentance in them will continue that work so that it grows and deepens and becomes a greater and greater reality in their lives (See ). However, Christians will never be free from sin completely or without need of the divine gift of repentance. On the other hand, professing Christians who demonstrate no real progress in sanctification and who rarely bring forth fruit worthy of repentance should be greatly concerned for their souls.

So, then, a great balance is required. There are two sides to this coin, and one cannot be lost without the other. On one hand, genuine Christians will experience a gradual progress in sanctification and frequent victories over sin. He who began a good work of repentance in them will continue that work so that it grows and deepens and becomes a greater and greater reality in their lives. However, Christians will never be free from sin completely or without need of the divine gift of repentance. On the other hand, professing Christians who demonstrate no real progress in sanctification and who rarely bring forth fruit worthy of repentance should be greatly concerned for their souls. They should test and examine themselves to see if they are in the faith.

What are the professing believers in Corinth encouraged to do (see )?

Washer, P. (2013). The Gospel Call and True Conversion (pp. 11–13). Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.

all and True Conversion (p. 11). Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.

Washer, P. (2013). The Gospel Call and True Conversion (pp. 10–11). Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.