Confession: Good-for-the-Soul Practice
The saying, “Confession is good for the soul,” apparently originates from an old Scottish proverb, but its words are firmly based on scripture.
John, the beloved apostle of Jesus, wrote to his friends when he was an elderly man, saying, “If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
Since I really enjoy The Message paraphrase, I like the way Eugene Peterson unpacks this verse as well as the two verses surrounding it.
“If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.” 1 John 1:8-10 (MSG)
Some friends have expressed to me a reluctance to call themselves “sinners.” They believe—rightly so—that when they accepted God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ, they were no longer sinners but rather saints. That is a valid argument.
Even though I believe as my “reluctant” friends, in the absolute mercy and grace of God’s salvation, I am so aware that there is a part of me that keeps on messing up and missing the mark of God’s perfection—aka “sinning.” When I blow it, I have no qualms calling myself a “sinner.” “Sinning” is forgivable and not a terminal condition. God’s same mercy and grace that “saved” me keeps on forgiving and transforming me.
One of my favorite liturgical prayers is an ancient “Prayer of Confession,” which has many forms depending on faith traditions. The version I pray almost every day follows:
An Anglican Prayer of Confession
Most merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you
in thought, and word, and deed
by what I have done and what I have left undone.
I have not loved you with my whole heart.
I have not loved my neighbors as myself.
I am truly sorry and I humbly repent.
For the sake of Your son, Jesus Christ
have mercy on me and forgive me
that I may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways
to the glory of Your name.
Amen
Why does this prayer seem relevant?
First Section:
Above all, I appreciate that it begins by acknowledging God’s mercy. God is not out to “get us,” but God’s mercy desires the very best for us. Confession is a good thing. It relieves us from carrying around needless guilt and shame.
Next, it goes beyond overt behaviors. Yes, sometimes we willfully sin by not obeying what we know God wants us to do. And sometimes, before we think, unkind or unnecessary words emerge. Lots of times, though, you may be like me when I sin in my thoughts. No one else may know those thoughts, but God does.
Next, it may not be what we have done, said, or thought, but what we ignored and left undone that we need to confess.
Second Section:
If you are anything like me, while I want to love, God, others, and myself well, so often I fail. Telling God, we are sorry and that we truly want to do better is good for the soul. It can turn the process of becoming more loving from guilt, drudgery, and duty into privilege, purpose, and adventure.
Last Section:
This is my favorite part of the Prayer of Confession. First, it reminds us of the redemptive price Jesus paid, enabling us to walk in freedom rather than condemnation. Mercy melts an icy heart. Forgiveness frees faltering feet and helps us keep moving forward in life’s journey.
The final two lines of this prayer bring a sense of hope and joy. Walking in God’s will and ways becomes a delight not only to us personally, but I believe our willingness to keep moving upward and onward delights God.
Blessings on your journey,
