Meaning of confession
Confession falls in two categories in scripture. First, it is showing remorse for wrongs done and asking for pardon or forgiveness. Second, it means making a statement of fact of truth whether positive or negative. The fact of truth does not change irrespective of our opinions of both events to which our confession relates.
(1) Confession of wrongs
1 John 1: 8-9 say 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, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This means divine forgiveness is predicated on true penitence of heart. Upon an honest acceptance and making an honest statement of a guilty conduct to Christ Jesus with a sincere promise not to repeat the wrongs, Jesus Christ then forgives us. Instantly, Christ Jesus restores us by his divine grace unto his righteousness as if we have never committed the wrongs.
Character of confession
2 Corinthians 5: 17 says therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. Confessing our wrongs means we divulge to Christ Jesus our evil practices by the lips from the heart. For example, Acts 19: 18-19 say many also of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted them the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. Sincerity of confession is what pleases Christ Jesus.
The passage in Acts 19: 18-19 shows total disclosure to Jesus Christ and willingness or desire to vacate or disassociate with previous conduct no matter the cost. The security of the soul comes first. Jesus Christ is able to restore what we have lost or will lose in pursuing righteousness or doing the will of our Father in heaven. Matthew 6:33 says but seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. To the converts in the cited passage in the book of Acts, their source of livelihood was through magic yet they boldly abandoned it, and embraced Jesus Christ in truth.
Wavering confession
Unfortunately, we are not ready to let go of our sources of livelihood even if it comes from sin or wrongful deeds. Such obstinacy means that we are not ready for Jesus Christ or that we do not trust him to restore what we will give up but in ourselves. Confession is a form of honouring or acknowledging God’s supremacy and it must not be limited to lip service. Hebrews 10: 23-25 say let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, and neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Confession does not require wavering in thought or deed but confidence in the redeemer, Christ Jesus to cleanse us anew. Confession by lip service without a corresponding positive change in action fails to qualify for forgiveness from or restoration by Christ Jesus. Jesus wants us to guard our confession with jealousy. In Matthew 15:8-9 and Mark 7:7Jesus said, these people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. Paul also said in Acts 23:3 God shall strike you, you white washed wall! Hypocrisy is dishonesty or doubt of God and God will disown us as his children if we patronize such habits.
Jesus is God’s approved channel
Acts 4: 12 says there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Hebrews 3: 1 says therefore holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. Christ Jesus is our channel of confession to God our Father in heaven. He is our highest high priest who shall intercede for us before the Father in heaven. God knows our hearts even before we make any confession for he is always present with us and distills loyalty from hypocrisy.
In Exodus 13: 21-22 the Lord went before the people of Israel by day in a pillar of cloud along the way, and by the night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The Lord leads us by day and night so he knows the sincerity of our hearts and we cannot hide it from him. Romans 10: 9 says if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. Our deeds must reflect our confessions. We cannot live double lives or hold double identities in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Ananias and Sapphira died because of their double lives, Acts 5: 1-10.
Witnesses to our confession
Hebrews 12: 1-2 say therefore, since we were surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our confession is made in the presence of divine or invisible beings and the host of heaven and cannot be lied to. When we renege, these angelic and invisible beings will be witnesses of truth against us. True confession must also be made in joy because it is an opportunity to exchange what we have for something of a higher or greater value. Such must be the nature of our motivation. Eternal life is greater than life which is destined to perish and be destroyed in hell fire.
What is our status with Jesus?
Have we confessed to Christ Jesus about our past and present deeds and have we committed our future to him to preserve? Have we asked him for forgiveness or pardon? Have we been sincere in our confession and plea for pardon with Christ Jesus? What will be our placement with Christ Jesus in eternity if Christ should come any moment from now? Jesus said in Luke 13: 3, 5 unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Are we motivated with joy to gain eternal life in righteousness by God’s infinite grace through Jesus Christ? Have we kept our confessions? Have we given all up to Jesus Christ to take control? Do we trust Jesus Christ to do what he has promised to do? What is the nature of our confession before the cloud of divine witnesses and invisible beings of heaven? No matter who we are, we must keep confessing every moment of our lives because we continue to sin in thought, word and deed and are saved only by grace.
If we are true to God, he will be true to us and on the great Day of Judgment. Let us repent, confess and ask for forgiveness through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, please help us to alter our desires from sin unto holiness by your grace. Consecrate our lives to your will every moment from hence and save our souls today, we pray, Amen!!
