Forgiveness is a gift from God. Continue reading to understand why we need to confess our sins to God since we are already forgiven. To learn more about forgiveness, read What Does Jesus Died for Our Sins Mean?
If you are a Christian, you know all sins were paid for and forgiven by Jesus on the cross. So why should we confess our sins to God? What good does it do to confess, and what is bad about us not confessing?
What is Confession and Repentance?
Confession:
• Agreement with God’s judgement of sin and me.
• Agreement with God that I need His mercy and forgiveness.
• Acceptance of God’s forgiveness.
Repentance:
• Turning from and changing direction away from sin.
• This might mean changing friends or environment.
• It may be installing a web filter on your devices.
• Ask other Christians to hold you accountable.
• Have plans for responding differently to temptations.
What was Done in the OT?
The Old Testament included confession and repentance (turning away from sin), but it also included priests and sacrifices. To atone or cover sin (delay judgement by God), a person had to bring an animal to a priest so he could perform a sacrifice.
“When he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed.” Leviticus 5:5-6a
How is NT different from OT?
In the New Testament, Jesus’ sacrifice paid for all sins. So we no longer have to do animal sacrifices; instead we have to accept the gift of salvation. We are no longer in a time of ignorance when God overlooked sin, so He now holds us responsible for all sin, so we must confess and repent.
Your soul needs confession to be cleansed, allowing repair to your relationship with Christ. You confess sin to God through prayer, but you can also confess to another person. Bringing sins into the light is freeing. It is good to mourn your sin and the hurt and separation it has caused. It may take time, perhaps in a recovery ministry with other people, to recognize your sin hidden deep within your mind.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” James 5:16
What Good Is It to Confess and Repent of Sins after the Cross?
Is confession and repentance required for salvation?
Yes, but just once at conversion to becoming a Christian. After that, continued confession and repentance is still required, but a Christian will not lose their salvation due to unconfessed sin.
The good about confessing and repenting:
• Our sins are blotted off the Book of Life in Heaven. So we have no judgement against these sins in Heaven.
• God will draw near to us, and we have restoration of our joy and unity with God and people.
• God forgives us and cleanses us from unrighteousness.
• Answered prayer
• We hear God.
• We are useful to God.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8
“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
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” James 5:16
The bad about not confessing nor repenting:
• Our sins are not blotted off the Book of Life in Heaven so they remain there. We are judged in Heaven for our unconfessed sins, and we will have negative consequences in Heaven for them. Do you really want to bring sins into Heaven with you?
• Our sin separates us from God and people. We are not joyful.
• Our sin is unforgiven, and we are not cleansed from it.
• Our prayers are not fully answered.
• We do not hear God.
• We are not very useful to God.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” Psalm 32:3
