How does my confession lead to reconciliation?
Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Beginning Reflections, p. 55
The Apostle Paul writes: “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:10).
Beginning with the early history of the Church, Christians have confessed their faith with creeds or statements of faith. The most common creed of the Christian Church throughout centuries is called the Apostles’ Creed, not because it was directly written by the Apostles, but because in it believers confess a summary of the Apostles’ teachings.
When we say, “I believe in God, the Father Almighty,” and “in Jesus Christ, His only Son,” and “in the Holy Spirit,” we mean that we trust God and His promises and accept everything He teaches in the Bible.
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God’” (Psalm 31:14).
“For I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” (2 Timothy 1:12).
But we not only confess our faith with our mouth. Our thoughts, words, and actions all reflect in whom or what we are trusting, not only for eternal life, but for life’s daily encounters.
Thus, when we face challenges in life such as conflict, our reactions can reveal our underlying faith and trust for addressing those particular issues. As people who are at the same time both sinners and saints, we can relate to Paul’s wrestling within his own heart:
“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.… Wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:19, 24).
But Paul also brings comfort to those struggling with both natures: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25). In our failure to keep His commands, we come to our Lord Jesus Christ for hope and restoration:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
This lesson helps us think through how our confession of sin to others is a confession of faith in Christ and His forgiveness.
This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:
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