A series of upsetting events or encounters with annoying people can make anyone frustrated. We grin and bear it as long as we can until finally, it all comes out–of our mouth. Sometimes the words unleashed even surprise us. What happened? “I just needed to vent,” we say. Really?
Our frustration is often based on issues in our own heart. If our hearts are full of God’s love, nothing and no one can “get” to us. Instead of venting (expressing anger at what is wrong), we should be confessing–admitting to God what is wrong with us.
Confession is good for the soul…literally.
When we confess our sins to the Lord, He will forgive us and bring deliverance in that area. Salvation includes eternal life and the power to overcome sin in this earthly life. However, before we can overcome anything, we must first confess (admit guilt). If we insist we are not guilty, God cannot help us.
The primary sin that separates us from God is pride. Why? The proud refuse to admit any wrongdoing and ask for help.
1 John 1:8-10, Living Bible – “8 If we say that we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.* 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are lying and calling God a liar, for he says we have sinned.”
After we confess, then God will help us repent (turn from sin).
Jesus’ primary message the first time he came to earth was…Repent.
Matthew 4:17, King James Version – “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Jesus is soon to return. What warning does He give to believers when talking about His Second-Coming?
Same message—repent. For those who have already repented–be faithful.
- To the Loveless Believer – “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp-stand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:1-7)
- To the Persecuted Believer – “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:8-11)
- To the Compromising Believer – “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” (Revelation 2:16, In Context Revelation 2:12-17)
- To the Corrupt Believer – “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.” (Revelation 2:22, In Context Revelation 2:18-29)
- To the Dead Believer – “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” (Revelation 3:3, In Context Revelation 3:1-6)
- To the Faithful Believer – “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11, In Context Revelation 3:7-13)
- To the Lukewarm Believer – “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19, In Context Revelation 3:14-21)
Some people believe we can’t live up to God’s standard. They’re right. We can’t.
Romans 3:23, New King James Version – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
But with God’s Holy Spirit living within us, holiness is possible and promised (Ephesians 1:12-14).
Luke 24:49, Living Bible – “And now I will send the Holy Spirit upon you, just as my Father promised. Don’t begin telling others yet—stay here in the city until* the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
The Holy Spirit will present us faultless before the throne of God if that’s what we want.
Jude 24-25, Living Bible – “24-25 And now—all glory to him who alone is God, who saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord; yes, splendor and majesty, all power and authority are his from the beginning; his they are and his they evermore shall be. And he is able to keep you from slipping and falling away, and to bring you, sinless and perfect, into his glorious presence with mighty shouts of everlasting joy. Amen.”
God is ready to forgive and help us. God’s plan of salvation is as simple as ABC.
- Admit we have sinned (Romans 3:20-23).
- Believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins (Romans 10:10).
- Confess that Jesus is Lord and obey Him (Romans 10:9).
Isaiah 6:5-7 – 5 “Then I said, “My doom is sealed, for I am a foul-mouthed sinner, a member of a sinful, foul-mouthed race; and I have looked upon the King, the Lord of heaven’s armies.” 6 Then one of the mighty angels flew over to the altar and with a pair of tongs picked out a burning coal. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “Now you are pronounced ‘not guilty’ because this coal has touched your lips. Your sins are all forgiven.”
When we confess our sins to the Lord, he will forgive us. Confession is good for the soul—it saves our souls.
