Confession

Today we are continuing our journey through the exercises or the disciplines that grow us as Christians. They are not things to put on a checklist and see how many you can get done today. They are lifestyle changes that change the outward and inward being.

Today we are looking at one that has been abused as many of these disciplines have, but non the less is important in our walk with Christ. That is the discipline of Confession.

To Spring board our discover through this discipline Let us turn to Psalm 32:1-5

Psalm 32:1-5

Psalm 32:1–5 LEB

1 Happy is he whose transgression is taken away, whose sin is covered. 2 Happy is a person to whom Yahweh does not impute iniquity and in whose spirit there is not deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones were worn out due to my groaning all the day. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me. My vigor was changed into the dry heat of summer. Selah 5 I made known my sin to you, and my iniquity I did not cover. I said, “I will confess concerning my transgressions to Yahweh,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. Selah

The Confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.

Augustine of Hippo

The Idea of confessing even to God can sometimes be a frighting one. And that fear only grows with the thought of confessing to another human being. We fear because of Judgement or being looked down upon. Yet as we look at life and the scriptures we find that both are important.

We confess to God

The Bible is very clear you do not have to go to a person of any type to be forgiven. Even in the Old Testament, which is largely misunderstood, the people didn’t have to go to some one else to be forgiven.

At the heart of God is the desire to give and to forgive. This is what set into motion the redemptive process that culminated in the cross and was confirmed in the resurrection.

The Lexham English Bible Chapter 32

5 I made known my sin to you, and my iniquity I did not cover.

I said, “I will confess concerning my transgressions to Yahweh,”

I confess to YHWH. and it is a praise to confess to YHWH. The Word in the Hebrew here is Yadah to praise. It is a praise to confess to God through confession comes God’s Salvation and Forgiveness. Mark 1:5

Mark 1:5 LEB

5 And all the Judean region and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem went out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

Confession is a praise.

We Confess to One Another

James 5:16 LEB

16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much.

Confessing to one another is part of the healing process. Without the cross confession is therapeutic, with the cross it changes our relationship and God heals and transforms the inner spirit.

The Discipline of confession to God and to one another helps us grow in to mature Christians.

But it is difficult. We often view the community of believers as a fellowship of saint and your are the only sinner in the group. But instead we are all sinners.

It’s not Me and all of them its us and God and this creates a bubble or a space where grace and forgiveness and healing can exist. With God and in the Community. You are not alone in your sin.

Faithlife Study Bible Psalm 32

32:3–5 The psalmist recounts a personal testimony to illustrate the power of confessing sin. During a situation when he was silent and unrepentant, he suffered and continually felt Yahweh’s punishment. Only after he acknowledged and confessed his sins to Yahweh did he enjoy Yahweh’s forgiveness.

Physical Battle

For some of you the battle is one that is physical almost in nature. Your temptations and sins make it feel as Anthony, a physical battle. As we confess to God and to man we find forgiveness and it can take away those burdens. As God has forgiven you and you find his forgiveness through Confession, as We confess to one another and forgive in his image, we forgive and show grace on others.

Sometimes we say I only need to confess to God. For salvation that is absolutely true. but for growth and healing that isn’t always true. God puts us in community for a reason. that demon of drug or alcohol wont just go away. you need help. That unforgiven heart, that trauma, that swear jar you need or Gossip dollar. We are hear to help each other.

Find Some One to Confess To (Next Steps)

I am not talking about going to the priest don’t come all you rushing to me. I don’t offer absolution. Find a friend, an accountability partner, Journal your confession so you can go through it with someone later.

Don’t be afraid to hear someone’s confession. Treat them with respect and dignity. Don’t twitter or phone tag or even prayer chain the confession without permission. But do pray for them, be the support they need to turn from sin.

The Discipline of confession brings and end to pretense. God is calling into being a Church that can openly confess its frail humanity and know the forgiving and empowering graces of Christ. Honesty leads to confession, and confession leads to change. May God give grace to the Church once again to recover the Discipline of Confession - Richard J. Foster