Repentance and Confession

Confessing our sins to God and repenting from those sins is not something we talk about a lot in our Christian circles. I think a lot of people believe you should repent and confess once as a step of salvation and then you’re done. I also think that people don’t like to confess because we live in a society that’s all about competition and one up-ing each other. We don’t like to admit when we’re wrong.

But confessing to God and repenting from our sins is an ongoing process. We constantly fall short of His will and therefore we should constantly confess and turn back to Him. Yes we are saved from our sins thanks to God’s Grace and Jesus’ Sacrifice, but the work isn’t finished then once we are saved.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. – 1 John 1:8-10 ESV

Besides, a nice long confession session with God can be very therapeutic. I think that’s part of why He wants us to constantly repent. There’s something about being fully open and vulnerable with Him that changes our heart. God wants us to pour our heart out to Him and not just ask for what we want, but to confess what we’ve done, plead for forgiveness and promise to do better.

For me it’s a huge step in the process of transforming into the child He wants me to be. Sometimes I don’t even realize what I’ve done and how much I’ve neglected the Father until I start confessing my sins on my knees in front of Him. And when I do, I am reminded of how much I need a savior. I’m reminded that I am a sinner and I only have a chance at eternal life with Him because he loved me enough to send His Son.

Expect prayer to expose where you’re still resisting Him – not only resisting His commands but resisting the manifold blessings and benefits He gives to those who follow. Line your strategies with repentance: the courage to trust, and turn, and walk His way. – Priscilla Shirer, Fervent

The most important example we see in the Bible of repentance and asking for forgiveness is when Jesus mentions it in his model prayer. I’m sure most of us could quote it, right? He says “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” If Jesus put it in a prayer he gave us strictly for an example, I think it’s pretty important that we include it in our prayers. Don’t you?

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

So when was the last time you had a good confession session with God? I must confess (no pun intended) that it’s been a while for me. Won’t you join me today? Find some time, kneel before your Father, and lay it all out in the open. I promise it will be well worth it!