Helping One Another Align With God
Do you walk through life with your head held lower than is needed? Are you hindered or tangled up by accusations, misunderstandings and/or sin? Have you somehow come to believe that this marred, somewhat hopeless life must be all that God has for you? Deep down – often deeper than you'd like to go – do you feel harassed and helpless?
It might be that you have tried to address your “stuff.” Possibly you’ve acknowledged your need and/or errors to God, and even tried your best to change and walk in a better direction. Yet, somehow, you keep finding yourself back in the mud. The enemy may taunt you with Scripture, saying, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” (Proverbs 26:11)
Often the way out of bondage is simple, but a little scary. We may need to involve others in the process. James encourages us to "confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (James 5:16) It’s scary because we’d rather not let others know about our problems, sin and bondage. It’s scary because we don’t want to be judged or rejected. It’s powerful, however, because this acknowledgement with friends is an expression of desperate and honest faith. It makes our offenses and need much more real, and our agreement with God and friends much more powerful.
Confession and hearing confession is a very intimate act. Intimacy – is defined by some as, “In to me you see.” It is at once an act of shame, hope and faith. It starts as an act of loneliness, yet it produces an honest oneness with God and with the one with whom we are confessing. It requires grace all around; and it is utterly reliant on the work of the cross and the power of the resurrection.
Confession is not complicated, but it is powerful. As a matter of fact, usually – the simpler, the better. It is simply a matter of agreeing with God’s perspectives, and acknowledging ways we have strayed in thought, feeling or deed. Confession releases a sense of God’s fresh forgiveness and cleansing. (1 John 1:9) It carries God’s transforming power.
As believers in Christ, we have been granted position and been given authority to help people experience God’s forgiveness when they confess. It is a sober and important ministry for all believers. (John 20:23)
Are there any accusations that are trapped in your soul? Are you believing things about yourself, others or God that you “know” are not true? Do you have any secret sins that are keeping you bound? If God surfaces any of these things in your life, consider confessing them to others. Take courage, and take advantage of this powerful tool of deliverance and forgiveness.
~ Coach Tom
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