The truth about humans, God, and fellowship.
"This truth, this reality about God is overwhelmingly good, comforting, and magnetic (drawing us to Him)"
Confession: Embracing Truth
Prior to Mother’s stroke when she and I would go places it was not uncommon for people to ask if she was my wife. Mom really gets a kick out of that. I figure, she must look extraordinarily young for her age; about 26 years!!! Anyway, about a week ago we were sitting at the breakfast table and another rehab patient, whom we had never met asked, “Is she your mother?” I am not exaggerating, mom laughed so hard she sprayed food all over the place.
It is not true that mom is my wife; she is my mother. It is not true that the man stirring his coffee, looking in the mirror, is seeing his reflection. The reflection is that of a man half his age working on some type of life-saving chemical formula.
This brings us to the first key word in our study today. TRUTH. How would you define the term TRUTH. The best definition I have found is: Truth = reality. It is not true that Bethel Church manufactures thermo-nuclear warheads for Iran. That is not reality. It is true that Bethel is a Christian fellowship. It is not true that the Indianapolis Colts will win the 2020 Super Bowl. That is not a reality. It is true that Lebron James does not mess with Bob Campbell when checking into the airport. That is a reality.
Now, let’s take a look at our first passage.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
This verse assumes that confession specific sins is to be a significant part of the Christian’s life. The Greek verb translated confession implies an ongoing action, that is, it is God’s will that confession be a regular part of the Christian walk.
If confession is to happen, then what must precede it? Identification of personal sin. Authentic confession is the natural spiritual response of a person who is deeply in love with God identifying a sinful thought, word or deed.
So, let me ask you a question: What percent of professing Christians do you think spend even one second in the day confessing even a single sin they committed that day? How about in a week? How about a month? Most people would say the answer would be in single digits? How is that possible?
Since this void, this weakness exists in professing Christianity, let’s combat it with three truths.
The Truth about Humans.
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
What percent of humanity should be daily identifying their sins and confessing them to the Holy God? 100%! Every single one. Every person reading this message. Every person that has ever lived, is currently living or ever will draw breath (except for Jesus). This is the desire of God for every human being since the Garden of Eden. When God asked Adam and Eve about their dietary sin, what was He trying to do? He was giving them the opportunity to identify and confess their sin. Instead, Adam blamed God and Eve for his sin and Eve blamed the devil. The rest is history.
King David was guilty of the sins of adultery and murder. Notice how he described his pre-confession experience.
Psalm 32:3-4
3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.
Let’s learn from David. He was aware of his sins, yet they remained unconfessed. The following is how it affected him, and how it will affect us if our sins go unconfessed.
3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old (Physical) Failure to confess means the side-effects of physical stress, blood pressure, hormonal imbalances, etc. are present, not to mention the actual consequences of the sin.
Through my groaning all the day long. (Emotional)
Guilt, depression, emotional stress produce discomfort (groaning).
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; (Spiritual)
Unconfessed sin disrupts fellowship with God. God refuses to bless disobedience!
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. (Completely)
One’s whole person is disturbed due to unconfessed sin. Imagine what it is like for a person who has no relationship with God!
The Truth about God.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
This truth, this reality about God is overwhelmingly good, comforting, and magnetic (drawing us to Him). People who deserve, not just death, but eternal punishment in Hell forever have an open door to come before the perfectly just Judge of the universe, confess their sins from the heart and be completely forgiven. As such, rather than experiencing their justly deserved eternal wrath, they receive mercy and an eternal relationship with God. This is why King David said,
“Blessed is he whose sins are forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1
King David, the adulterer and murderer, could clearly define what it meant to have the guilt and punishment for his sins covered.
It is no different for us. “…and the blood of His Son, Jesus cleanses us from all sin.” I John 1:7b It is the ultimate privilege for us to confess our sins and be forgiven because of our Father’s mercy and the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Truth about the Fellowship
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
We need help! We need each other! God has given us each other as a responsibility. We are to be so close that we can help each other identify the sins in our life. The truth is, like that man looking in the mirror, we don’t see ourselves as we really are. Solomon says we are not objective when it comes to looking at ourselves. “All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes…” Proverbs 16:2 So we have the responsibility to identify others’ sins and then…
“…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
Yes, when sin is identified within the fellowship it can and must be confessed. As we confess our sins together, we are confessing our mutual need for the forgiveness of our sins.
When is the last time you saw such a confession – specific sins being identified and confessed within a Christian fellowship?
Is sin identification and confession an important part of your life?
In our next study we will consider why there is so little confession today, the consequences of it, and the benefits that can be ours through confession.
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