IF YOU CONFESS/IF YOU DO NOT CONFESS (4 OF 8)
by Tony Nester
Scripture: I JOHN 1:5-10
This content is part of a series.
If You Confess/If You Do Not Confess
Spiritual Choices: 4 of 8
Text: 1 John 1:5-10
Tony Nester
Many of us have heard that that "confession is good for the
soul". It's true.
But that doesn't mean we enjoy confessing. In fact, we
usually resist making a confession. Instead, we make
excuses. We claim extenuating circumstances. Some even say
"the Devil made me do it." Others will just plain hide the
truth for as long as they can. It's rare for a month to go
by now without hearing of some well known religious leader,
politician, or public servant who has been forced to admit
of his or her wrongdoing because hidden facts have been
unexpectedly brought to light.
It appears that confession is becoming rare in our society
- something that's done only under duress. If we're forced
by the facts to confess, then we will. If there's no chance
of getting off, then we'll admit our wrongdoing. But not
unless we absolutely have to. Confession is bad - terrible.
Something to be avoided if at all possible.
The Bible has a very different view of confession. The
Bible regards confession as positive, healing, and freeing.
(Proverbs 28:13 NRSV) "No one who conceals transgressions
will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will
obtain mercy."
(James 5:16 NRSV) "Therefore confess your sins to one
another, and pray for one another, so that you may be
healed. …"
This same positive view of confession is found in today's
Scripture from 1 John 1:1-5:
(1 John 1:5-10 NRSV) "This is the message we have heard
from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him
there is no darkness at all. {6} If we say that we have
fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we
lie and do not do what is true; {7} but if we walk in the
light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses
us from all sin. {8} If we say that we have no s ...
Spiritual Choices: 4 of 8
Text: 1 John 1:5-10
Tony Nester
Many of us have heard that that "confession is good for the
soul". It's true.
But that doesn't mean we enjoy confessing. In fact, we
usually resist making a confession. Instead, we make
excuses. We claim extenuating circumstances. Some even say
"the Devil made me do it." Others will just plain hide the
truth for as long as they can. It's rare for a month to go
by now without hearing of some well known religious leader,
politician, or public servant who has been forced to admit
of his or her wrongdoing because hidden facts have been
unexpectedly brought to light.
It appears that confession is becoming rare in our society
- something that's done only under duress. If we're forced
by the facts to confess, then we will. If there's no chance
of getting off, then we'll admit our wrongdoing. But not
unless we absolutely have to. Confession is bad - terrible.
Something to be avoided if at all possible.
The Bible has a very different view of confession. The
Bible regards confession as positive, healing, and freeing.
(Proverbs 28:13 NRSV) "No one who conceals transgressions
will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will
obtain mercy."
(James 5:16 NRSV) "Therefore confess your sins to one
another, and pray for one another, so that you may be
healed. …"
This same positive view of confession is found in today's
Scripture from 1 John 1:1-5:
(1 John 1:5-10 NRSV) "This is the message we have heard
from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him
there is no darkness at all. {6} If we say that we have
fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we
lie and do not do what is true; {7} but if we walk in the
light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses
us from all sin. {8} If we say that we have no s ...
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