Confession

"He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy." (1)

"The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable. The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may have the forgiveness of sin. We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to expiate our transgression; but he that confesses and forsakes his sin shall have mercy.

"The Apostle says, 'Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.' (2) Confess your sins to God, who only can forgive them, and your faults, or trespasses, to one another. If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor, you are to acknowledge your wrong, and it is his duty freely to forgive you. Then you are to seek the forgiveness of God, because the brother you have wounded is the property of God, and in injuring him you sinned against his Creator and Redeemer. The case is brought before the only true Mediator, our great High Priest, who 'was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.' And who can 'sympathize with our weaknesses' and is able to cleanse from every stain of iniquity. (3)

"Those who have not humbled their souls before God in acknowledging their guilt, have not yet fulfilled the first condition of acceptance. If we have not experienced that repentance, and have not with true humiliation of soul and brokenness of spirit confessed our sins, abhorring our iniquity, we have never truly sought for the forgiveness of sin; and if we have never sought, we have never found the peace of God. They only reason why we do not have remission of sins that are past is that we are not willing to humble our hearts and comply with the conditions of the word of truth. Explicit instruction is given concerning this matter. Confession of sin, whether public or private, should be heartfelt and freely expressed. It is not to be urged from the sinner. It is not to be made in a flippant and careless way, or forced from those who have no realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin. The confession that is the outpouring of the inmost soul finds its way to the God of infinite pity. The psalmist says, 'The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.' (4)

"True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty." (5)

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (6)

1. Proverbs 28:13.
2. James 5:16.
3. Hebrews 4:15.
4. Psalm 34:18.
5. Steps to Christ, pp. 23, 24.
6. 1 John 1:9.