Issue 1550 – Confession – September 15, 2024
When we hear the word “confession,” various pictures come to mind.
Some people might think of the confessional of the Roman Catholic Church, with the priest on the other side of the door, listening and, in theory, facilitating their reconciliation with God.
This isn’t the time or place to discuss the theology of the Roman Catholic confessional. The Bible clearly teaches that no priest is required. God alone can forgive, and Jesus is our intermediary.
For some people, confession brings to mind a picture of a criminal confessing his crimes when confronted by a detective like Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot.
I want to discuss a specific type of confession this morning: a confession of faith. People often use the term “confession of faith” without understanding what it means.
In Romans, we read,
…because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
We often use this verse to explain that salvation is as simple as a sinner’s prayer. That is true … to a point. Let’s look at the word confess.
The word translated confess here is “homologeos”. That is homo=same and logeos=thinking or speaking. To confess is to think/speak in agreement with. When we “speak” that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dad, it is only empty words if we do not have a heartfelt agreement. We must agree, not just say the words.
Many people have “said” a sinner’s prayer without believing the truth. They say the prayer for a variety of reasons, but unless there is heart agreement and true confession, they have not been saved. They have been given a false sense of security.
Similarly, there is more to confessing our sins than just admitting them. A person can admit many things without ever believing they are wrong.
We must agree with Jesus that what we have done is against Him; otherwise, it is just an admission. Confession and admission are related, but they are not the same thing.
A psychopath may admit to his deeds but feel no remorse. That is an admission, not a confession. A child may admit to having their hand in the cookie jar, but that is not the same as recognizing it is wrong and striving to avoid repeating the error.
Have you truly confessed Jesus as Lord, or have you just said the words? Only you and God know the answer to that question.
Until next time, may you “agree” with Jesus.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
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Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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