The apostle John tells us, “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, KJV). Here we find the promise of God to forgive our confessed sins. To ignore or to neglect this promise is to steer a perilous course. God commands us to confess our sins and promises to forgive our sins. That we should confess our sins daily is clear. What confession means and what it involves are matters that need some elaboration.
We can distinguish between two kinds of repentance: attrition and contrition. Attrition is counterfeit repentance, which never qualifies us for forgiveness. It is like the repentance of a child who is caught in the act of disobeying his mother and cries out, “Mommy, Mommy, I’m sorry, please don’t spank me.” Attrition is repentance motivated strictly by a fear of punishment. The sinner confesses his sin to God, not out of genuine remorse but out of a desire to secure a ticket out of hell.
True repentance reflects contrition, a godly remorse for offending God. Here the sinner mourns his sin, not for the loss of reward or for the threat of judgment, but because he has done injury to the honor of God.
(R.C. Sproul: Does Prayer Change Things?).
---
Lord, help us to truly confess our sins that we may experience true forgiveness of our sins.
Help us make it a daily and regular discipline to reflect on our lives, our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Help us to be open and honest with You to let you reveal to us any sin in us that we may confess and experience forgiveness.
Psalm 139:23–24:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
In Jesus' Name
Amen
Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Add a comment or request for prayer here.