I was thinking the other day about confessions. In preparing to write this I thought about a lot of reasons why trust was key in confession. We all think in some shape or form that confession brings about punishment, but that is not the case. Confession is a way to improve your relationship with someone who you have wronged. Yes, you will get the repercussion for your disobedience which is the natural order of things but confessing or talking to God about your shortcomings is a way to build and improve the relationship between you and God. Today we would talk about what confession is, why it is important to confess and why trust in God is the most important substance in your confession.

What is confession?

Confession is a formal (relating to or involving the outward form, structure, or arrangement of elements suitable for an official or important occasion.) statement admitting that one is guilty of something. Why does it have to be formal? That is because when you are talking about important things with the Lord you must be in the right frame of mind, be contrite, penitent, and humble. Psalm 51:17 says

“ My [only] sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.”

We know that when we come before the Lord to confess our sins, he will answer us because his word says so. My definition of confession is having the belief and trust that God will not see you any differently but will help you overcome the issue you are going through that made you sin.

Why is it important to confess to the Lord?

It’s simple, you do something wrong and you ask for forgiveness. We teach our children these principles, our parents taught us, and our kids will teach their children. Why is it an important trait that we must teach our children? It is because we know that confession builds the bond between two people. Sin breaks the bond, it shatters the trust a person has for another, but confession builds it back and renews the trust. It works the same way with your relationship with God. Even though God already knows what you have done, it is a sign of trust to still speak out and confess what you have done.

The bible says in 1 John 1:9

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].”

I think this Amplified version is the bomb. Think about it, if you are truly God’s children then when we sin our relationship, but confession restores it. Confession must be done voluntarily with the belief that God is faithful and will continually cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Why must you trust God when you confess?

As humans we have a bad habit of judging people. Let me tell you I am one of them. It takes the grace of God for me to forget what you have done and look at you with fresh trustful eyes especially if you have continually made the same error over and over and over. But God is not like us. He will always forgive us if we go to him freely and confess. One question I have been thinking about is, why are we so reticent to confess to God or even tell him about our negative feelings when his word says he will forgive us? Is it because we think he will get tired of forgiving us or he will hate us? Have you ever wondered why God wants us to confess our sins when he already knows everything about us? The answer is Relationship. He is your father and if you treat him as one you will want to talk to him about everything you are facing.

The simple act of you coming to him willingly to talk to him about what hurts and tempts you, is what brings you to closer together and makes your relationship stronger

Confession and repentance aren’t based on punishment but on love. It is based on understanding that God is willing to listen to you rant all day and trust that he will forgive you every time you come to him and confess. If you do not share these feelings with someone who already knows and doesn’t treat you differently who else would you share it with?

Talk to him today. He is waiting for you!