23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:23-24 NIV
Spiritual 9 ROUND exercise. First phase Thanksgiving, The Word, Getting Dressed in Armor.
The next rounds of exercise are typically avoided. The more intense workout is usually in the middle and this is true of this activity. James tells us that there are many people who go through the motions of Christianity, but never actually learn how to put it into practice. The reflection in the mirror reveals the areas that need to be addressed, but that is not the same as doing the exercise. Let’s put one into practice today.
CONFESSION is verbally expressing regret as we acknowledge agreement with God about His perspective on the motives and intentions to follow our actions that are contrary to His standards. Simply saying, “I was wrong, You were right.” There is NO room for excuses. It is raw. It is the conviction felt when the light is turned on and your hand is still in the cookie jar in which your parents told you, “no, more cookies.”
I John 1:9 states the condition for forgiveness, “If we confess our sins”. God paid the price for the expense of forgiveness, but we have to ask. Forgiveness is freely given to those who humble themselves to ASK for it. There is no other way to obtain it, we must humble ourselves and ask to be released of the debt that we incurred through our sin.
Do you know the rhythm in your life to ask for forgiveness? From whom did you learn the steps of confessing? What role does humility, conviction, contrite heart, godly sorrow, verbalizing, and brokenness add to effective confession?
Why do people avoid confessing their sins to God? How can you train children to “accept personal responsibility for their actions”? Why do we lean toward shifting blame instead of accepting responsibility? How does reading the Bible bring light to our dark deeds? When did this type of conviction occur last for you?
Is there true confession without repentance? What actions and attitudes reveal a sincere confession? Grace anticipates confession of guilt without any additional wrappings.
Confession is the hole that we must squeeze through to obtain God’s favor. It is so small that only our brokenness can be carried around our body. No trading of good works. No penance. No reasoning with God to do better next time. Only a broken and contrite heart will be allowed to receive the full impartation of God’s favor and forgiveness.
You will never mature enough in the Lord, to move beyond confession. It is the process of scraping our used plate once again just after having washed it. Different stains, same process to clean it again.
Praise the Lord He has provided a path for us to stand before Him, CLEAN. Put Confession into practice.
Blessings Love y’all.
Well written