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Luke 18:9-14
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. Today we are focusing on another of those often discussed topics that tends to be taken for granted. In verses 6, 7 of Chapter 1, Nehemiah confesses both personal and national sin. It’s okay to talk about national sin, because we can blame others for the problems. It’s even okay to talk about family sin for the same reason. But when we get to personal sin we get real uncomfortable real fast, don’t we! One of the most egregious sins of The Universal Church is her denial of personal/individual sin. Even after our salvation it is still true that “all have sinned!” Because we no longer fear God we have become arrogant in His face using atonement and the blood of Christ as an excuse to sin. Scripture has some very clear warnings concerning confession of our sin!
- THE BIBLICAL PRESCRIPTION FOR CONFESSION! From Gen. 3 throughout Scripture confession and repentance is always expected. Confession is the only means to forgiveness and cleansing that brings harmony and peace with God. Many today believe we don’t have to confess sin because of our salvation. Confession is for our benefit, to keep us very much aware of the hurt sin brings to God. Read Lev. 5:5; 16:21; Numbers 5:6,7; Ps. 32:1-5; Prov. 28:13; and 1 John 1:9; and Matt. 5-7. All those passages teach confession is necessary.
- THE BIBLICAL PROCESS FOR CONFESSION! There were many details connected with confession in the Law. Today the same details are necessary for confession, without the ritual! First, we must confess, admit, identify with the specific in. The idea “I might have/sort have sinned isn’t going to get it! The excuse “I did such and so because someone else did such and so first” is also wrong. Second, we must bring an offering. In the OT sinners were required to bring an animal for sacrifice. Today when we sin, we take from God what is His and desecrate it with our selfishness (sin). We must confess what we did, then offer back to God what we took which is part of us. Read 1Cor. 6:19, 20 then Rom. 12:1-2. This is not legalism, it is facing the truth of our sin and sinfulness in such a way that should keep us from all ungodliness. Third, we must make atonement or follow through. The priest killed the animal and its death was part of the confession process. We must see ourselves as belonging to God permanently. We must not think we can sin, reoccupying the Temple with “self and selfishness” at our own discretion! We belong to God permanently and we are never allowed to desecrate the temple of The Holy Spirit with “self.” Our salvation gives us personal access to Christ as our Intercessor and High Priest. We can go privately and personally to Him asking for His strength and help in time of weakness. ALL our sin is covered under the blood and ALL has been forgiven. Confession is a grim reminder that we are at war with an enemy that seeks only to destroy us and God’s great salvation freely given to all who ask.
If we can help you in this or any other area of spiritual concern call us at (574) 643-9419.
