We have all heard the saying, “Confession is good for the soul”. And it is! Admitting our short comings, struggles, and sins with one another, brings those hidden and shameful things into the light where there can be healing, forgiveness, acceptance, restoration, and redemption between us. Confession is the breeding ground for honesty, vulnerability, and intimacy which helps us build and cultivate healthy relationships with others. No wonder James 5:16 encourages us to “confess our sins to one another”.
But when it comes to confession with God, it is much more than just admitting our sins and failures...He knows those anyway. When we confess to God, we are not bringing anything into the light for Him because nothing is hidden from Him…confession is for us! Confession in the bible literally means “to say the same word” or “agree with” God. So, let’s confess, agree with God about our short comings and sins! They are forgiven forever. Let’s agree with God about our relationship with Him where because of the finished work of Christ, we are already in right standing because of His healing, forgiveness, acceptance, restoration, and redemption…a healthy relationship. Confession does not make this so but when we agree with God, we are reminded it is so. In short, confession is so much more than just admitting what we have done wrong, it is acknowledging all that God has done right. Let’s agree with God about who He made us to be and who He is to us…a loving Father! Now that is good for your soul!
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.