69a — What Is Confession?
What Confession Is Not —
Confession is a really serious subject, so before we talk about what it is, let’s watch this funny video by Little Big Shots UK to see what confession is not.
What Confession Is —
Whereas we might think the blame game is cute coming out of the mouth of a 3 year old child like John Hopkins, we would have a different opinion if a 9 or 10 year old gave the same explanation. Yet we know from the Bible that blaming others is one of the oldest forms of confession known to mankind.
Just look at how Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent after they disobeyed God. But is that true confession? When we come to God to ask for forgiveness, does he want us to give excuses or try to weasel out of responsibility by telling him what others have done? The obvious answer is no.
Use the following words to fill in the blanks from 1 John 1:8-9 to see what God means by true confession:
forgive / deceiving / confess / say / cleanse / no
If we ______ that we have ______ sin, we are ____________ ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we ____________ our sins, He is faithful and righteous to ____________ us our sins and to
____________ us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:8-9 NASB)
Complete Forgiveness — What a Deal!
Now discuss how God’s method of confession is different than the normal blame game that some people practice. Use these words in your explanations.
Admit
Tell the Truth
Take Responsibility
Accept the Consequences
Accept God’s Forgiveness
Forgive Yourself
My Prayer
Use your own words to confess a specific sin in your life. Thank God for his forgiveness and cleansing. Ask him if there is anything you need to do to make amends with other people. (For instance, even a 3 year old can help wash a mirror clean.)
