Articles
Confess Our Sins
Proverbs 28:13 “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion”. This was written nearly one thousand years before Christ, one thousand years before the apostles would record what they had witnessed or begin writing letters to the Churches giving instruction and encouragement. And yet, this proverb is almost parallel to 1 John 1:8-9, which says “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Concealing our sin from anyone does us no good. Concealing them from God is a ridiculous concept. “But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light” (Ephesians 5:13). Often our sins are brought to light in this present world, and, hopefully, we are convicted enough to repent and return to the narrow road.
Whether or not we confess our sins to God, we also should consider revealing them to one another. James says “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16). Telling each other what our struggles are, is healing in itself but it also creates another layer of accountability that we can use to strengthen one another. “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). When we confess our sins before God and before each other we will find compassion and can walk a little straighter on that path of light. Eventually, all will be brought before the Lord for judgement, and it won’t matter what excuses we offer if we don’t have Jesus as our mediator
