The Christian's Confession of Sins

The Christian's Confession of Sins
By John Woodward
Undated

How wonderful it is that God judicially pardons believers in Christ of all their sins--past, present, and future--when they are saved: "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses"( Col. 2:13).

Some grace teachers, therefore, believe that confession of sin in the Christian life is unnecessary and legalistic.

I trust we are agreed that God still requires righteousness in the disciple's attitudes, words and actions: "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1). Can we retain the majority, evangelical view that Christians still need to confess their sins, while avoiding a legalistic works-oriented view of it? I believe so.

The traditional evangelical view has scriptural support and wide endorsement. Dr. Griffith Thomas put it this way: "God forgives us once as a Judge, but many times as a Father."

The New Testament epistles indicate that known sin requires repentance. Christ admonished the wayward Ephesian believers,"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent" (Rev. 2:5, Cf. v.16).

Neglecting or suppressing such repentance,

• grieves and quenches the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19),
• hinders prayer (1 Pet 3:7),
• hinders our usefulness to God (2 Tim 2:20-22),
• mars our testimony (Col 3:17).
• robs us of potential reward (1 Cor 9:24-27)
• and brings God's corrective discipline (1 Cor 11:29-32).

1 John 1:9 declares, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." With the commendable aim of avoiding an installment plan/legalistic view of confession in the Christian life, some now interpret 1 John 1:9 as referring only to the initial confession at salvation. However, we can maintain the traditional interpretation of this verse without falling into legalism. The use of "forgive" here is not judicial forgiveness (which has already been granted - Rom. 8:1; Titus 2:14), but paternal forgiveness (restoring full communion - 2 Cor 6:17,18).

1 John 1:9 can be translated: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and [even/that is] to CLEANSE us from all unrighteousness." "And" in the Gk. is "kai," which is translated 108 times in the KJV as "even," with this meaning. So, the word "cleansing" may be a more accurate term to describe the sinning Christian's repentance and restoration to intimacy with God. But using the term "forgiveness" in this way is not incorrect.

Andrew Murray, widely respected for his writing and influence through the Christ-centered, grace-oriented deeper life, acknowledged the role of confession in the believer's fellowship with God: "Too often the confession of sin is superficial, and often it is quite neglected. Few Christians realize how necessary it is to be sincere about the matter. Some do not feel that an honest confession of sin gives power to live the life of victory over sin. But we, in fellowship with the Lord Jesus, need to confess with a sincere heart every sin that may be a hindrance in our Christian lives." [1]

Most teachers use the word "fellowship" to describe an unhindered quality of communion with the Lord. However, since the Greek term for "fellowship" (koinonia) overlaps the concept of "relationship," some are uneasy with a disobedient Christian saying, "I am out of fellowship," or even, "my fellowship is hindered." Therefore, the term "communion" may be more accurate for the condition of intimacy with God.

Now, back to the concept of paternal forgiveness. Obedience is linked to the full appreciation of God's fatherhood: "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 'I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty'" (2 Cor. 6:17,18).

In Hebrews 13:15, "praise" is literally, "confess," (Gk. - "homologeo"); it is used here as expressing the Christian's worship to God. It seems appropriate that "confession" in worship would include resolving any issue of unrepentance (John 4: 24; Psalm 51:6).

The word "forgive," (Gk. - aphiemi) is used of the Christian's relationship with God (cleansing) in the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:12; Luke 11:4). To avoid a misuse of this discipline, however, some hold that the Sermon on the Mount does not apply to believers after Pentecost--in this dispensation of grace. Yet, James 5:15 still uses "forgive" related to the Christian's walk: "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." James qualifies as being in the present dispensation.

The confession of sins in the Christian life should not involve morbid introspection. Then, what are valid indications of the need to repent and confess sin?

• We look to God, who will convict us by His Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11; Psalm 139:23,24).
• If our conscience is violated, we have sinned and need to make it right: "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith [in a matter's acceptability] is sin" (Rom.14:23).
• God's Word is the plumb line of His righteous standards. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
• Also, we should also be receptive to the loving admonition of a fellow believer who may point out a "blind spot" of disobedient actions in our lives. "Exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb. 3:13).

Let us depend on God's enablement for righteous living. Abundant life includes repentance and confession of known sins, since disobedience grieves His Holy Spirit.

~~~~~~~~~

1] Andrew Murray, God's Best Secrets. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 1998. (earlier edition: Biola Book, 1923). section one: "Fellowship," reading 10: "Confession."

revised 10/05

View Comments | Add Comment

Grace Fellowship is an international discipleship, counseling, and training training ministry. GFI does not charge for counseling, but is supported through tax deductible contributions. (In Canada, through http://www.CrossWaystoLife.org.) To request resources or inquire about hosting a conference, please contact us.

Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward,
Grace Fellowship International.
President of GFI - Dr. Charles Solomon,
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 USA. Phone: 865-429-0450.
Home page: http://www.GraceFellowshipIntl.com
International tracts: http://www.SolomonPublications.org
Distance Education: http://www.GFICounselingInstitute.com
John's book: http://www.BiblicalPsychology.net
Photos: http://www.KodakGallery.com/gfi
Children's Ministry: http://www.CarawaySt.com
GFI Bookstore: 1-888-66GRACE (toll free in USA)

Subscribe ...

Subscribe to receive Grace Notes for free!

You may also wish to read ....

Next article by date ...

The Resurrection Life by John Woodward

Other suggested publications by John Woodward ...

Who Is Sufficient? by John Woodward
Reckoning On Our Death With Christ by John Woodward
Having the Mind of Christ by John Woodward
The Holy Spirit and the Cross by John Woodward
Paradigm Shift by John Woodward
Paradigm Shift II by John Woodward

Clarifications Series
Theological Papers Series