Just recently read something regarding ‘confession’ while studying through Hebrews. The common perspective of confession seems to have a negative connotation in the mainstream church. Possibly because when we think confession, the first word many will think is ‘sin’. This may have to do with verse 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sin, then He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” A verse widely misused and taken out of context. The purpose of 1 John 1 is to speak into the lives of Gnostic thinkers in regard to the character of God. May I also mention that 1 John 1:9 says ‘to cleans us from ALL unrighteousness’, even though many believers continue to hold this verse over their own heads throughout their entire lives. One sin at a time. This sounds exhausting. This sounds like a hard yolk, not an easy one.
As believers, we are not called to continually approach the throne of Grace with shame and self loathing, confessing each and every sin. If you’re writing down every stupid decision you’ve ever made and then telling them to God, as if He wasn’t aware, then you’re holding yourself under condemnation. As if forgiveness doesn’t occur naturally from God, because of the cross. Forgiveness of sins is something worth celebrating. It’s just that powerful.
Jesus taught us to pray like this, “…forgive us as our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us.” This is the proclamation of victory to the Father. It doesn’t say, “Forgive us our sins only when we can confess them, one at a time.”
So what should we confess?
Hebrews 10:19-25
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
There is nothing more beautiful, or poetic then confessing that which is the true nature of ourselves. Jesus. Our hope from the Faithful, Living God. Our words have power. Whatever we confess has power. We confess and proclaim our hope, which is Jesus.
The Anomaly of Grace 