The power of confession and forgiveness

Fourth of a 5-part teaching series

by Barbara Lukow

The greatest challenge in a Christian’s life is the constant battle with sin. Jesus referred to it in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:38), as did Paul in his epistle to the Romans (Romans 7:15-25). The truth is: without Christ, you will not win the battle.

Confessing sin and asking for forgiveness has become less and less popular in today’s culture. Many demand agreement that people are not sinful; they consider the concept of sin demeaning and negative. But the Scriptures say differently.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (I John 1:8-10)

Consider Paul’s words: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25) There are several confessions in that missive: 1) Paul is sinful and wretched; 2) he can’t deliver himself from his “body of death;” and 3) God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, can!

Recognition and confession of your sinful and needy condition is basic to the Christian’s relationship with God. When His children confess their need and the Lord’s ability to cover that need, God is glorified, and the confessor experiences peace, forgiveness and healing. Refusal to recognize and confess sin or a needy condition creates fear and distrust, and God cannot bless.

It is important to notice, however, that the power of any confession – whether it be of your sin, need or inability – is not in the confession itself, but in God’s response…forgiveness, healing, or other answers to prayer and confession. Lest any confusion arise concerning the source of that power, remember Christ’s statement, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Similar confessions were present throughout Christ’s ministry of healing. Consider what the following passages reveal about the relationship between a person’s confession and God’s actions:

• Luke 18:9-14: The tax collector confessed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”(Luke 18:13) The Pharisee expounded on his own “righteousness.” The tax collector was justified; the Pharisee was not.
• Mark 5:25-34: The woman who touched Jesus’ cloak said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”(Mark 5:28); Christ said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” (Mark 5:34)
• Luke 5:12-13: The leper begged, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, “I will; be clean.”
• Luke 5:17-26: The paralytic’s friends lowered him through a roof so Jesus could heal him. When Christ saw their faith, He declared the man’s sins forgiven and healed him. The amazed crowd glorified God.

In all those events, the power was not in man’s confession, but in God’s response to it! Each time, Jesus hears – or lovingly elicits – recognition of a need and/or action or statement of faith. I can’t fix this, but Jesus can! What love and compassion the Savior has for people in need!

A final note on forgiveness: Scripture calls Christians to forgive as Jesus has forgiven (Matthew 6:12 and Colossians 3:13). Few Christians will deny the benefits of forgiving others, yet many fail to recognize the sin of resentment when it creeps into their own lives. It has been said that withholding forgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other fellow to die. Resentment allows anger to build in the heart. Anger can quickly give way to malice and the desire for vengeance. Vengeance, however, belongs to the Lord, as Paul reminds in Romans 12:19.

Friend in Christ, have you avoided confessing your sin? Have you withheld forgiveness and intercession for your country’s leaders, your neighbor, spouse or best friend? Humble yourself, confessing your sin and God’s power through Jesus to remove it.

Forgive and ask for forgiveness. Confess your needs and those of your country, begging for His intervention. Such confession in faith releases His grace to work in your life…as well as His power to forgive, cleanse and heal.

Barbara Lukow is a new writer to the Presidential Prayer Team. She is a retired educator, mother, grandmother, and farm wife. She writes short stories, poetry, articles, devotions and novels. Barbara lives with her husband, James, on a small farm in northwest New Mexico.