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| "Scripture...sets before us Christ alone as mediator, atoning sacrifice, high priest, and intercessor."—Augsburg Confession Art. XXI. Augsburg Confession, Article 21, "Of the Worship of the Saints". trans. Kolb, R., Wengert, T., and Arand, C. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2000. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Confess Your Sins
Part of coming to Christ is recognition that one is a sinner. Is our confession of sins meant for God who knows all things already? Even if we confess to an intercessor such as a priest or even stand before a congregation letting all know that we have sinned, nothing is accomplished until we ourselves truly understand our own sinful nature.
We are all sinners no matter how good we think we may be. The person who thinks they are good is a person too proud to see or admit their failures. We are all sinners and that's the bottom line. Those who believe their sins are not all that big or are merely sins of thoughts that are never carried through are still sinners. Sin is sin no matter what the size of it and the ultimate verdict of all sin is death.
However, Jesus has given us a ticket to heaven if we believe in Him, trust in Him, and obey His teachings. Jesus has taken the burden of our sin upon His back and bore it upon the cross. His blood, His death, and His resurrection has made us clean and given us the opportunity of eternal life. This is God's gift of grace. Are you willing to accept it?
An old saying goes "Confession is good for the soul". It can feel good to give up the guilt that weighs us down when we have done something wrong. This is a principle of psychology. You can't change what you have done wrong in the past, but if you recognize that you have done it and make an effort not to do the wrong again then you are moving toward becoming a better person.
Give it all to Jesus. Confession of your sin is the recognition that you are weak and He is strong. He is eternal. And when you are cleansed then you can spend a joyous eternity with Him.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
New International Version (NIV)
If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please read Take the Next Step.
Excellent inspiring post and a pleasure to read.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day.
Yvonne.
True. We are lucky to have the sacrament of Reconciliation and confession brings us close to God our creator and saviour.
ReplyDeleteConfession is good for the soul. The purifiying of unrighteousness is a wonderful life!
ReplyDeleteAlways a joy to be uplifted by the Word of God!
I've been doing the blog hop and landed on yours. So glad I did. Our God is an Awesome God in that once our sins are forgiven, He remembers them NO MORE!
ReplyDeleteGood post, Arlee, and everything true. Too often, we tend to hide rather than confess and move on.
ReplyDeleteI love your Christian writing. Here's something to ponder: God gave us 10 commandments, and yet it seems that people point to 3 or 4 and act like they are the worst to break. But God did not put them in any particular order. To Him, they are all equal... and yet how many people condemn a person for adultry and not for dishonoring their parents?
ReplyDeleteThey are not in order, people! We must strive to obey them all!
See you tomorrow!
Dana
Waiter, drink please!
I thank each of you for your encouragement. My prayer is that my words touch someone who needs them most and that change will come to that person. Thank you, Lord for all that you do in my life and for all of those who seek you.
ReplyDeleteLee