If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (KJV).

REFLECT:
Many people think confession is a whimsical or fickle act, an act only performed perhaps by the weak-hearted. People who think this way do not understand the power of this singular exercise. It could be the only means that could stand between a life and death situation, and when applied in that very moment or situation, could turn out to be a saving grace.

Confession is not just a physical act, but it also has very deep spiritual implications. Some people see it as just uttering some words or mechanically going through certain creeds, no, it goes beyond that. That is why to get maximum results from our confessions we must do it with a heartfelt understanding.

So why would we confess our sins? Genesis chapter three presents us with a timeline in the history of man where He fell out of grace with God. Man disobeyed God’s commandment, and not only that he sold himself over to the devil God’s arch-enemy, thereby committing high treason.

As a result of man’s actions sin was introduced into the world. Man was separated from God, and rather than having a fair deal from the devil, man had the worst end of the bargain thrown at him by the devil.

Along the line, God successfully bankrolled a plan for man’s redemption. God sent His only begotten son, Jesus to die a gruesome death on the cross to save and redeem man from the hold of the devil, death, and hell. Thus, the exchange for man’s salvation and redemption was paid, and the blood of Jesus was the currency for the exchange.

Therefore, when we accept Jesus into our lives, and totally decide to separate ourselves from sin and the devil we are required to come to Jesus with a repentant heart and confess our sins and wicked ways, showing that we are willing to renounce and reject Satan’s ways and rule over our lives.

The most beautiful part of confession is that God our Heavenly Father has promised to forgive us of all of our sins and is eager to accept us back into His family.

Secondly, God has provided the aspect of confession as a perpetual statute and a remedy for us to fall back on. As we walk this walk of faith, there may be offenses and temptations the devil may throw in our way, and we may succumb to such temptations and sin. So, God, our Heavenly Father has made it possible for us to always overcome such temptations and find our way back to Him through the act, and avenue of confession.

However, when we realize our mistakes, we must never give up on ourselves. We must go back to God through the avenue of confession and appropriating the finished work of Jesus on the cross and ask God for forgiveness. This is exactly what our Bible verse for today encourages us to do—-“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (KJV).

The story of God’s salvation and our ability to humble ourselves to come to Him through confession plays out beautifully in the story of the ‘Prodigal Son.’ (Luke 15:11-32). We can always relate to that story and apply it to our lives as we allow God to lead us in the straight walk-through confession.

When we understand that confession is not a tool God uses to condemn us, we will be open to this gift and unashamedly use it to always connect with God each time we stray away from Him.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Prayer of Confession

FATHER GOD, I confess that I have not always been the person You’ve created me to be. I sometimes fail to love You with my whole heart, mind, and soul. I do not always love my neighbors as You love them. Please forgive me, God. Transform my heart and renew my mind so that I can draw closer to You. I am so thankful to You LORD for giving me this gift of confession. Please make me understand that You do not condemn me whenever I make a mistake and stray from Your presence. Give me the Grace to always apply this wonderful tool whenever I fall short of Your Glory. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN.