What is the main requirement for a confession? You might think some kind of crime, insult, or infraction must have taken place. Well, true, but according to the Bible, this is not the main requirement for confession because sin is a given. It is assumed. It is unfortunately always part of my life. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard.
So what then is the main thing needed for a confession? The answer is that I have to acknowledge my crime, insult or infraction. I have to recognize and agree that I have sinned. I must face the fact of my failure and want to be different.
Without that, there can be no confession, and without confession there can be no forgiveness, and without forgiveness, I am dead, separated from God by my sin forever.
When a close friend is being cold to me, I assume I have done something to anger them. My first reaction is to apologize. But unless I know what I am apologizing for, my words are meaningless. They won’t be accepted. My relationship will remain stilted.
Likewise, when a close friend has hurt me by (for example) telling someone else something I told them in confidence, I get angry. If they apologize to me without understanding what I’m angry about, it won’t change anything. I will still be angry.
Good friends will have a conversation about problems that arise within the relationship. They will honestly explain to each other how they were hurt. And genuine apologies will ensue mending the damage and healing wounds.
God is the very best friend one can have. He is ready to forgive my worst infractions, most heinous crimes, and deepest insults. But confession must come first. And it has to be honest confession, so I need to know what I’m apologizing for. I may know some things, but there are always more. If I don’t think so, I’m calling God a liar.
As a good friend, God is happy to reveal my sin to me if I ask. He loves me, so He won’t be more harsh than I require, but He will be honest. And if I honestly listen and genuinely repent, today’s verse is the marvelous result. I am cleansed from all unrighteousness. I am perfect and pure and welcome in God’s most holy presence. It’s as if it never happened. Just like that.
Dear God,
Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for the miracle of your forgiveness! Please show me what I need to confess today. Teach me how to be better so I don’t need to confess and repent of the same thing tomorrow.
CamDevo 