The Daily Word: Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
Exodus 30:11-31:18
Matthew 26:47-68
Psalm 32:1-11
Proverbs 8:27-32
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. – Ps. 32:5
What does confession mean to you? If you come from the Catholic tradition, confession means acknowledging your sin “with true sorrow before the priest.”[1] But is that really what the Bible teaches?
If you want to be forgiven, it is true that you have to confess your sin. But you have to confess your sin “to the Lord,” not man. You don’t have to tell everyone! You just have to tell the only One: God, who is the only One with true authority to forgive you.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
Biblical confession is not a conversation with a man who claims to be your only route of access to God. Biblical confession is a conversation with the Son of Man, who is God Who Forgives. Do you see the difference?
There is a place for corporate confession (James 5:16). But do not make a practice of relying on man to forgive your sin. God and God alone is the One who forgives sin! And all that matters is that you talk to Him.
Go to God. Admit your mistakes! And watch Him turn your weakness into strength, in Jesus’ name.
Prayer:
Father, I have made some mistakes. But You forgive my sin! You separate me from my sin as far as the east is from the west. I am so grateful for forgiveness! And I am so grateful for confession, in Jesus’ name.
[1] https://www.catholic.org/prayers/confession.php