CONFESS?

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James 5:16 

 

 

Let's be honest, how many of us would rather cut off our nose than give a sincere apology?  How many of us would rather have all their teeth removed than to confess a wrong done to someone, especially when they may not even be aware of it?  

 

When we confess our wrongs to the person we have wronged and ask for their forgiveness, that is not done for their benefit!  It is for OUR benefit!  Think about it, if I confess to you that I was the one who took a bite out of your sandwich and asked your forgiveness, then it becomes YOUR responsibility how you deal with that confession.  While you are deciding on what to do, my conscience is clear because I have put the ball squarely in YOUR court!  If you refuse to forgive, NOT MY PROBLEM!  Why?  Because your decisions are NOT my responsibility.  HOWEVER, if I refuse to confess, whether you know what I did or not, then you are in the clear whilst I am the one bearing the weight of responsibility! 

 

Now, I have yet to find in Scripture where I am required or expected to confess all my sins to someone against whom I have not sinned.  I can't confess to you that I drew the beard on the photo of the Queen, and expect to be forgiven.  Why?  Because YOU aren't the one I have wronged.

 

Confess to the other only the sins which you have committed against the other!  THAT is a true mark of love, to be honest with each other!