Biblical Confession (1 John 1:9)

Biblical confession is one of those things grossly tainted by our TV and movie watching.  Most of us have a chair, directly under a bright light in mind.  It's an empty interrogation room!  If we confess, some gruffy guy is going to throw us in the slammer.  But by no means is that what Jesus says when he leads us to confession.  

Instead, I like to think of a nice quiet bench in a park.  Or maybe a bench overlooking the ocean, where few people are.  Confession is not the hot seat; it's a conversation place with the Lord.   

Biblical confession has two parts.  The first part is confessing God's Truth.  It's our opportunity to be wowed by God and proclaim this Truth back to God.  We are affirming that we see God for who he is, not for who we want him to be.   This part of confession is you, on the bench talking with God, saying,  "Wow! God, you are amazing for this reason and that reason."  

The second part of this confession is about confessing our sin and wicked works.  We see it as sin because the remarkable light of who God is shines into the darkness of our life.  The response to the reality of God becomes the confession of who we are--sinners.  As as we see who God is, we understand that he desires to transform us from sinners into redeemed children of the King!  

Confession is a spiritual discipline that brings us to a place of healing.  It's a practice that helps remove the awful wedge between God and us.  When we confess (both parts) we are moved so much closer to God.  God's Word says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).  

This Sunday, we'll be talking about both parts of confession.  I hope you'll consider joining us.  We meet at 11 am for worship. (Our worship service includes a time when I'll discuss this in greater detail.  We'll be looking at what the Bible has to say about confession.)   We also meet for prayer, and we take the Lord's Supper together at 10 am.  Join us.  2070 N. Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116.  See you Sunday. 

For the Kingdom!
Pastor Bryan Catherman