Spiritual Practices: Confession

Spiritual practices are called such because they are on-going undertakings that we need to actively integrate into our lives. They help us understand who we are and who God is. Confession is no different.

First Confession

We began this journey as Christians by confessing that Jesus is Lord and that we sinned against him and want him to forgive us. That act cleared the slate for us in the beginning. However, as Paul reminds us, we often do what we do not want to do and leave undone that which we should have done. In other words, though our nature is changing more Christlike day-by-day, we do continue to sin. Therefore, we need to continue to ask forgiveness. David demonstrates this cycle in Psalm 32:3-5. The man who had “a heart after God” also sinned. He wasted away until he admitted his wrongs.

Two-part Act

Confession is not only admitting sins, shortfalls, missing the mark, but it is also the active recognition that God is faithful and just to forgive (1 John 1:9). David’s psalm above continues by saying that, “you [God] forgave the guilt of my sin.” Confession is not only about how we are miserable sinners, but about how God is merciful and forgiving, separating us from our sins, loving us.

Private and Corporate

Confession may be a solitary, private act. It is also mentioned in James 5:16 in context of confessing to one another. Prayer offered corporately can lead to healing and forgiveness, in God’s power. The confessions offered corporately are accompanied by the faith of a multitude in Jesus to cover our sins.

Daily Calling to COnfession

Until the sin mechanism in us fully stops functioning, we are called to confess our sins and be forgiven in God’s mercy. Confession is a two-part act of faith, admission and acceptance. Admission of our sin and acceptance of his love and forgiveness. I am certain that I sin each day. I do not keep a record, and through confession, we know that God does not keep a record either. He wipes it clean. This brings peace to a guilty heart and joy to a cleaned conscience. Seek God in confession today for his full healing and forgiveness.