Abide has never really attempted a blog before. We have lot’s of ways of getting information to you but I wanted to give something more than a calendar. 

Last Sunday at Abide, we talked about having a prayerful life. We looked at a huge amount of scriptures that all spoke on prayer. Here is one:

1John 1:9

“If we confess our sin he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I wonder if we have lost the art of confession.

In the Church, we speak about God forgiving our sin a lot. We talk about the cross and God’s grace. We talk about how God loves us despite our sin and we sing songs about being forgiven.

But what about confession?

When we confess to God that we have sinned; when we own up to the wrong we have done, we our forced to speak our transgressions out loud. We give them a place and a name. We have to admit that we are dirty. Their is a humility that comes when we name each sin out loud to God. Sometimes it can be easier to skip confession to God and move straight to His forgiveness.

Not only does confession humble us, it can also remind us of how in need of God we still are. Sometimes I catch myself having the attitude that I have reached all of my potential in Christ. I think sometimes I tend to get cocky about how much I know or all that I do for Jesus. When I confess my sin, I am forced to recognize that my heart is still being shaped and transformed by the Holy Spirit. I am still a work in progress.

Confession should also lead us to great joy. When we confess our sin to God he faithfully removes it and cleanses us. Sometimes my soul feels so worn down. I feel exhausted, angry, depressed, lost, voiceless. When I confess my sin, I can rest in the fact that God is cleaning my heart and renewing my spirit.

I dare you to spend an hour tonight naming your sins to God. Name them, repent from them and leave them in the dust.

-Mark