Confession lifts our burden even if it seems overwhelming. I remember visiting an elderly gentleman who confessed about something that took place almost seventy years earlier. Although he had asked the Lord to forgive him many times it was confessing of his sins to another person that freed him. God had forgiven him the first time he repented, but the enemy continually used this in his life to beat him down that God would not forgive him.
Perhaps the enemy is beating you down for something you asked the Lord to forgive you a long time ago. The enemy lies to us when he tells us we can’t be forgiven. The Lord speaks to us the truth about confession and forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.[1]
The People of Israel Confess Their Sins
The exiles who had returned to Jerusalem from captivity were not familiar with God’s word. Ezra, the priest, gathered the people and read them God’s word. Later he broke them into small groups and had the Levites go over the Word and explain it to the people. After hearing the Word, the people were convicted of their sins and wept. This led the people to confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors.
Nehemiah 9:1On October 31 the people assembled again, and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.[2]
The Joy of Forgiveness
Jesus loves us so much that He died for our sins on the cross. He did this so we could be forgiven and set free from the sin that entangles us. We all sin but holding onto sin day after day is like putting one more rock in our backpack. After a while the burden of sin is too great, and we become weary.
Perhaps you are weary right now. Is the Holy Spirit prompting you to confess your sins? Sometimes we can silently confess our sins and other times we may need to confess them to another person. When we take our sin out of the darkness and shed light on it by confession our enemy can’t use against us anymore. There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain! Let Jesus break off the chains of your sins today and experience the joy of forgiveness!
To hear how confession lifts our burden, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/rebuilding-unfinished-hope-spiritual-renewal
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Jn 1:9). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.