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Confession - August 25, 2005
Confession: admission, acknowledgment, declaration of guilt; I found these synonyms for the word, "confession".
In the Bible, the word means more that just an admission of guilt. Confession, from God's point of view, means that we see our sins like God sees them. This is more than just admitting to an error or missing the mark. God sees sin as a separating agent: It not only blocks our access to His mercy, it also blocks His delivery of our forgiveness. I John 1:9 says, "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Now what does it mean when we say that we confess Christ? It means the same thing. We see Christ like God sees Christ. God sees Jesus in power and glory. He sees Jesus as the only perfect and acceptable sacrifice for sin. He sees Him exalted as well as slain. When we see Christ like God sees Christ, we shout, "I confess!" We raise our hands in praise and surrender. Romans 10:9 proclaims that, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved."
I like this exercise where I can see things like God does. What else can I confess? Maybe the Word. How does God see the Bible? How should I? What about my neighbor? Or the preacher? Or my enemy? Or the missionary? Here are things I can explore.
How does God see me? Does He recognize my fear? Does He read my shame? My repentance? Is my joy pleasing or offensive to Him? Jeremiah 31:3 says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving-kindness have I drawn you."
Oh what a confession I have. He loves me with an everlasting love.
Contributed by Gayle Haynes
Confession: admission, acknowledgment, declaration of guilt; I found these synonyms for the word, "confession".
In the Bible, the word means more that just an admission of guilt. Confession, from God's point of view, means that we see our sins like God sees them. This is more than just admitting to an error or missing the mark. God sees sin as a separating agent: It not only blocks our access to His mercy, it also blocks His delivery of our forgiveness. I John 1:9 says, "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Now what does it mean when we say that we confess Christ? It means the same thing. We see Christ like God sees Christ. God sees Jesus in power and glory. He sees Jesus as the only perfect and acceptable sacrifice for sin. He sees Him exalted as well as slain. When we see Christ like God sees Christ, we shout, "I confess!" We raise our hands in praise and surrender. Romans 10:9 proclaims that, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved."
I like this exercise where I can see things like God does. What else can I confess? Maybe the Word. How does God see the Bible? How should I? What about my neighbor? Or the preacher? Or my enemy? Or the missionary? Here are things I can explore.
How does God see me? Does He recognize my fear? Does He read my shame? My repentance? Is my joy pleasing or offensive to Him? Jeremiah 31:3 says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving-kindness have I drawn you."
Oh what a confession I have. He loves me with an everlasting love.
Contributed by Gayle Haynes
