IMAGINE A TODDLER THAT JUST GOT CAUGHT RED-HANDED doing something they were told not to do. What are some of their toddler tactics in that situation? Some might try to bargain or make a deal. Some might try to act like they are completely oblivious or may even lie or blame someone or something else. Some might even go so far as to throw a temper tantrum. Or, some might hide by closing their eyes as tightly as possible—my personal favorite. Just because the toddler can’t see the parent, doesn’t mean that the parent can’t see exactly what is going on.
I wish I could say that I’ve grown out of those toddler tactics, especially in my relationship with God. Don’t you? God and I both know He sees and knows all things, and yet I can find myself closing my eyes tightly in a futile attempt to hide. We are not alone; in our world today it seems that truth and justice can be hard to come by. Courtroom and detective dramas abound in our culture where authorities pursue criminals who are running and hiding and trying to cover up their tracks. More often than we would like to admit, noteworthy people in positions of influence are caught up in scandals as what they hoped was hidden away comes to light.
What if God were to swear you into His court as a witness? “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth with My help?” What would you say? I know an older man who would say, “Yes.” In fact, he makes it a consistent rhythm of life to go out on his back porch and review his day and confess any sinful thought, feeling, action, or reaction he can remember. Why? His view of God is far from a detective busting through a door with gun drawn and handcuffs ready. Instead, his view of God is more like a loving father who wants to forgive and help him walk away from sin that leads to death and to walk toward trust and obedience that leads to life.
He has good reason from God’s Word to view God and confession this way:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
To confess in this verse means to “agree with God.” God wants us to grow into the kind of honest, authentic people who can tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth with His help. He desires to be free from the masks we wear and the toddler tactics we can still hold on to. He desires for us to experience His complete forgiveness and cleansing. In fact, that older man told me that he makes confession a regular rhythm in his life to enjoy his loving relationship with his forgiving, cleansing Heavenly Father with nothing that he knows of coming between them.
What do we agree with God about? We agree with God about our sin—any way that we fall short of His glory, good design, and good ways. We agree with God about His character. In this verse of Scripture alone we see that God is a faithful, just, forgiving, and cleansing God. The rest of Scripture shows even more glories and wonders of His perfect, holy character! We also agree with God about the blessings and benefits of His redemptive work. Again, in just this one verse of Scripture we see that we agree with God that we are forgiven and clean—completely so!
The Christian journey actually begins with confession. When a person confesses to God about their sinfulness and trust in God to forgive through the sacrifice of Christ on their behalf on the cross, God forgives, cleanses, and He pours out His eternal life through the gift of the Holy Spirit into their hearts. It is through confession that we receive the Good News of Jesus and are saved, redeemed.
Confession is also meant to be an ongoing rhythm in our spiritual lives, as well. We confess—we agree with God—on a regular basis about our sins, His character, and the good news that He has offered and we receive. We also confess to one another:
Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)
A truly wonderful thing happens as we explore and engage this spiritual rhythm of confession in everyday life. Spiritual formation happens. The Holy Spirit of God forms us to be like Jesus to the smiling pleasure and glory of God the Father.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Not only do we receive forgiveness, cleansing, and healing through confession, but also God makes us like Jesus—forgivers, cleansers, and healers.
Imagine how that would revolutionize a person’s mind, heart, soul, and life. A person who rhythmically confesses to God and trusted friends to the Wounded Healer, Jesus Christ, becomes a kind of wounded healer like Jesus in his everyday life. Imagine how that would revolutionize a marriage, a community, a neighborhood, Northwest Arkansas, and the nations. A movement of people who know they have been caught red-handed, run to the nailed-pierced hands of Jesus, and run with His forgiving, cleansing, and healing heart to the hurting and hiding in the world.
Richard Foster, The Celebration of Discipline
Confession begins in sorrow, but it ends in joy. There is celebration in the forgiveness of sins because it results in a genuinely changed life.
Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline
At the heart of God is the desire to give and to forgive. Because of this, He set into motion the entire redemptive process that culminated in the cross and was confirmed in the resurrection… This was His highest and most holy work, the work that makes confession and the forgiveness of sins possible.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
Through Christ men could be sinners and only so could they be helped. All sham was ended in the presence of Christ… Wherever the message of the crucified Christ is a vital, living thing, there brotherly confession will also avail.
Here are some additional thoughts and resources that will help you go even deeper this week:
PROCESS:
Here is a Scripture devotional and a key quote or two to help you consider the spiritual rhythm of the Word this week, individually and with others.
Read Psalm 51.
– How does the Psalmist, King David, describe his sin and its effects?
– How does the Psalmist appeal to God’s character for help?
– How does the Psalmist pray for forgiveness and cleansing?
– Where does joy and praise come from in this passage?
– What would it sound like to put this Psalm in your own words? Take some time to write a prayer of confession following David’s example.
– How did you sense God working as you confessed and prayed?
PRACTICE:
Here is a daily Scripture reading plan with some practical suggestions to help you get started in your next step of growth in holy habits. Consider this Scripture reading plan and suggestions this week.
Consider this Scripture reading plan and suggestions this week.
- Read Psalm 51. Assignment: Put this Psalm in your own words and pray to God.
- Read Psalm 32. Assignment: WrNotice the effects of hidden sin versus confessed sin.
- Read 1 John 1:5 – 2:6. Assignment: Notice how Christ brings confession and life change.
- Read James 5:13-20. Assignment: Confess and pray with a trusted spiritual leader.
- Read
. Assignment: Choose to forgive and overcome evil with good.
Consider these resources for further study.
- Introductory: Life’s Healing Choices by John Bake
- Intermediate: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Advanced: Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt
Here’s a great resource for further study about habits: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
PROGRESS:
Remember! The goal is that all of us would choose one or two holy habits to take a step of growth. Progress is the goal, and all of us can take another step forward together.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.