Confession is an unmasking
by Nic DykesIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
The word confession for me used to conjure up three things: memories of being a teenager listening to Usher; Katherine Zeta-Jones’ character in a confession booth with Zorro in the 1998 film; and watching murder mysteries where the culprit always comes clean by the final 5 minutes. What the Bible means by confession is something else entirely.
I think that what the Bible means by confession is that we say to the Lord, or people, what it is that we know to be wrong that we’ve done, or that we should have done but didn’t do, and we ask for forgiveness. Confession is an unmasking. We allow ourselves to be purified by God from the filth that has stuck to us.
When I confessed my sin to Jesus recently, I allowed myself to feel the full weight of my sin. It didn’t sit well to know that my greed, selfishness and pride was what put Jesus on the cross. I’ve tried in the past to blame other people (like Adam did in the garden of Eden) but I knew it was my fault. Confession asks us to quit making excuses and to take responsibility for our mistakes.
It’s outrageously hard!
Confession isn’t about Jesus wanting us to stay in a place of guilt or shame. Confession is about allowing Jesus to take away our filth so that we can accept the covering of his righteousness. After confessing, I know that my relationship with the Lord is always repaired- I can lift my spiritual head to look him in the eye again.
When I was teaching, I heard many children confess when they were caught out, but that’s not what John is talking about in this passage. Real confessions aren't about feeling bad because the consequences of your sin aren’t what you want. It’s about wanting to avoid sin in the future; it’s about hating living in an unholy way and wanting to live as Jesus asked us to.
When I allowed Jesus to lead me in confession, rather than just saying what I thought needed to be said to get it over with, I felt like I had started down the road to real healing, freedom and wholeness.
Invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal to you anything that you need to ask forgiveness for.
Allow him to forgive you.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you that because you died we can be cleansed from sin. Thank you that there is no sin that can separate us from the love of God. Help us to confess our sins so that relationships can be repaired, hearts can be healed and we can find freedom in you.
Amen
