Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 19, 2016
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
I don’t know about you but I am rejoicing that spring is finally here. It’s the time of year when creation renews in the flowers, fields, and trees. It’s also the time of year when people get out their brooms, mops and sponges to clean the nooks, crannies and hard-to-get-to spots in their homes that have accumulated dirt and grime during the winter.
I once considered that spring is not only a good time to clean the dust bunnies from the top of my curtain rods, but to do a “spring cleaning of the heart” by confessing my sins to God and others. Sure, this can be uncomfortable. But if I follow God’s command in I John 1:9 (If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.), that can bless me in ways I never imagined. It can bless you, too.
When I was in college, one of my closest friends said to me, “A lot of people think confession is a bummer, but it’s really a reason to rejoice.” His statement struck me because at that point, I hadn’t ever thought of admitting sin as a reason to get happy, but it is.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
In Psalm 51, when King David confessed his sin to God regarding his adulterous affair with Bathsheba, he experienced relief from a heavy spirit (vs. 3-4), a renewed joy in his relationship with God, and forgiveness. Verse 5 says, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD—and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
When we understand that our position in Christ is one of acceptance, that we have been adopted by Him, and that our heavenly Father wants us to come to Him with all that we are, including our messy lives and hearts, we are freed from the shame of hiding our sin because we no longer believe we must be perfect. His loving grace empowers us to be real and to experience the cleansing that comes from confession.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you are always ready and willing to accept me after I have sinned. You are not a heartless, mean-spirited Father. You are a gracious and loving Lord. Help me to never be ashamed to confess my sin. Amen.Application
Do you need to confess your sin to be free from the burden or shame of it? Thank the Lord for the freedom that comes from confession.Related Reading
Ephesians 1:5-7; Matthew 11:28; Titus 3:5Post/Tweet today
God’s loving grace empowers us to be real and to experience the cleansing that comes from confession. #WisdomHunters #ConfessionIsntABummerWorship Resource
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