A word study, my first formal foray into the world of apologetics. |
Confession--admission, acknowledgment, declaration of guilt. These are the synonyms I found for confession.
In the Bible we find the word confession to mean more that just an admission of guilt. Confession, from God's point of view, means that we see our sins like God sees them. This is a whole lot more than just admitting to an error or missing the mark. God sees sin as a separating agent: It not only blocks our access to His mercy, it also blocks His delivery of our forgiveness. I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Now what does it mean when we say we confess Christ? It means the same thing. We see Christ like God sees Christ. God see Jesus in power and glory. He sees Jesus as the only perfect and acceptable sacrifice for sin. He sees Him exalted as well as slain. When we see Christ like God sees Christ, we shout, "I confess!" We raise our hands in praise and surrender. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. I like this exercise where I can see things like God does. What else can I confess? Maybe the Word. How does God see the Word, the Bible? How should I? What about my neighbor? Or the preacher? Or my enemy? Or the beggar? Or the missionary? What about Sunday school? Here are things I can explore. How does God see me? Does He recognize my fear? Does He read my shame? My repentance? Is my joy pleasing to Him or an offense? Jeremiah 31:3 ...Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. Oh what a confession I have. He loves me with an everlasting love. |