CONFESSION

[WISDOM]

The conditions of obtaining the mercy of our FATHER, are simple and just and reasonable. HE does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may have the forgiveness of sin.

We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, OR perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the living GOD of Heaven, OR to expiate our transgression; but if You CONFESS and FORSAKE Your sin, YOU SHALL have MERCY (1 John 1:9). The Word says, "CONFESS your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed" (James 5:16).

CONFESS your sins to GOD, WHO only can forgive them, and your faults to one another. Think for a moment.....if YOU have been offensive to one of your friends or neighbors where you live, you are to ACKNOWLEDGE your wrong, and it is HIS/HER duty freely to forgive you. THEN.......YOU are to seek the forgiveness of our LORD (Hebrews 4:15). Any of you who have not humbled your souls before GOD in acknowledging your guilt, have not yet fulfilled the first condition of acceptance.

If we have not experienced that repentance which IS NOT to be repented of, and HAVE NOT with true humiliation of soul and brokeness of spirit CONFESSED our sins, ABHORRING our iniquity, we have NEVER TRULY sought for the forgiveness of sin; and if we have never sought, we have never found the peace of GOD. There is no "gray area" inbetween!! The ONLY reason why we do not have remission of sins that are past is that we ARE NOT WILLING to humble our hearts and COMPLY with the conditions of GOD's Word of Truth.

Explicit instruction is given concerning this matter. So there is NO EXCUSE for YOU or ME. Confession of sin, whether PUBLIC or PRIVATE, should be heartfelt and freely expressed! It is never urged from YOU or I. Our FATHER did not create us as "robots". It is NOT to be made in a "flippant" and careless way, or FORCED from those who have no realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin. When a confession is truly the outpouring of YOUR inmost soul, it will find its way to the GOD of infinite pity (Psalm 34:18). And HE listens! True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins.

They may be of such a nature as to be brought before our LORD/SAVIOUR, ONLY! They may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; OR they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. BUT......ALL confession should be definite and TO THE POINT, acknowledging the very sins of which YOU are guilty. GOD is always able to give grace, whereby man cannot! Confession will not be acceptable to GOD without sincere repentance and reformation. I said this in another thread, and I'm re-emphasizing it here! There MUST be decided changes in YOUR life. Any and everything offensive to CHRIST must be laid aside. This will be the result of YOUR genuine sorrow. (Isaiah 1:16-17; Ezekiel 33:15)

Listen......when SIN has "deadened" your moral perceptions, YOU never discern your character defects, nor realize the enormity of the evil YOU commit; and UNLESS YOU YIELD to the convicting power of the HOLY SPIRIT, YOU will remain in partial "blindness" to your sin. I would guess that a Christian in this condition confessions would not be sincere and in earnest. However, I cannot spiritually discern the human heart! I would guess also that to every acknowledgement of his/her guilt, he/she would add an apology in excuse of their course, declaring that IF it had not been for certain circumstances, they would not have done this or that, for which they're reproved. (Genesis 3:12-13) The "spirit of self-justification" originated in the "father of lies", and has been exibited throughout all the generations of mankind.

Confessions of this order ARE NOT inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT, and WILL NOT be acceptable to GOD. True repentance will lead YOU to bear your guilt YOURSELF, and acknowledge it WITHOUT hypocrisy or deception. Those of us who do acknowledge our guilt will be justified; for JESUS will plead HIS Blood in behalf of YOU and I!

The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of our LORD and the cost of Calvary; and as a son/daughter confesses to a loving father, so will the truly penitent bring ALL his/her sins before our Heavenly, living FATHER......1 JOHN 1:9

[hippo's hope is HIM]

*****gasp*******

Oh Lord, I bow at your feet. I know that I have done wrong in your sight, yet again. Abba, forgive me. thank you for shining through my brother in Christ, to speak to my heart. God, you know what is in my heart, and you alone know the situation. Humble me father, break me, make me like you. Take away this hurt, and this attitude. Let me die to everything I was, and become new. \o/ In Christ's Holy and Precious Name, Amen.

Wisdom, thank you for this thread.

[traveller]

Beth - I just have to say something here. I dearly love you kiddo, and it's so refreshing to be around a truly honest, humble Christian such as yourself. Girlfriend, you allow the lord to keep you as you are, and you'll do just fine. I think He has big things in storefor you.

I love you kiddo.

[WISDOM]

Beth:

I concur with Trav.....our FATHER has something good in store for YOU! Stay the course!!

Trav:

Sis....your spirit is always so refreshing! I'm glad we're in the same family!