Guidelines for Confession
Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 4, Question 25, p. 63
Confession is a vital part of living in Christian community, allowing us to come clean before God, seek His forgiveness, and move forward as reconciled brothers and sisters. The next guideline in Guidelines for Confession is to Be Willingness to Change Your Behavior with God's Help. This is not simply about expressing regret for our actions, but genuinely committing to turn away from sin and live in accordance with God’s will. This is a fruit of our repentance!
David's heartfelt prayer in Psalm 51:10-12 exemplifies this attitude of repentance: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." David acknowledges his need for God’s transformative power to cleanse his heart and spirit.
In Matthew 3:8, John the Baptist calls for genuine repentance, saying, "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance." This verse underscores the importance of a visible change in our behavior that reflects our inward commitment to turn away from sin. True repentance is evidenced by the fruits it bears in our lives.
The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8 provides a powerful example of repentance leading to a tangible change in behavior. Zacchaeus, the tax collector, stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." His actions demonstrated a sincere desire to make amends and live righteously.
Romans 6:21-22 gives us a profound insight into the transformation that comes from living in God’s grace: "But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life." This passage encourages us to reflect on the destructive nature of past sins and embrace the new life that leads to sanctification.
Ephesians 4:22-24 further reinforces the need for a renewed lifestyle: "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." With God’s help, this transformation is possible, allowing us to shed our old selves and embody righteousness.
As we confess our sins, we must genuinely declare, "With God’s help, I will not do this again." It is a commitment to rely on His strength for this fruit of repentance, to overcome our shortcomings and live a life that pleases Him.
Finally, let us hold onto the gospel promise found in Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This assurance reminds us that, through Christ, we are forgiven and no longer under the weight of our past sins. Embracing this promise, let us move forward in faith, ever reliant on God’s grace to transform us.
This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:
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