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The Purpose of Confession |
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The Purpose of Confession |
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| What is the purpose "Confession" in Relation to Christ's Gospel? |
| A. |
a personal conversation with a parish priest informing him of your sins. |
| B. |
informing God of a sin which you have committed. |
| C. |
saying the same thing that God says resulting in a restored relationship with God. |
| D. |
a legal transcript taken at a police station. |
Dr. Charles Stanley Teaches from Psalm 51
I was once listening to Dr. Charles Stanley, (a person who has been
a blessing on my life, and that of many others) who was teaching on a certain
aspect of Psalm 51, David's great Psalm of repentance towards God after
the matter of Bathsheba. In that Psalm, David said these words;
 Psalm 51:3&4
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when
thou judgest.
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1. Acknowledgment
3 "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."
King David clearly acknowledges his sin, but acknowledgement
alone is not the purpose of confession. That only results in his sin being
"ever before me", and the cause of much distress. In confession,
acknowledgement of sin occurs, but is not the actual purpose of confession.
After all, there are many who acknowledge sin, and go right on doing the
same thing as a conscious choice.
2. Informing God of Sin?
Beginning in verse 4 above with the words "Against thee, thee only, have
I sinned," David is plainly stating to His God, that he has sinned against
HIM. But Charles Stanley was quick to point out that David was not informing
God of nothing God did not already know. We are reminded of Psalm 139,
and the incredible omnipresence of God (especially verse 7). While a
declaration of sin takes place in confession, that is not the purpose of
confession with we consider the foreknowledge of the Almighty God we
serve.
3. King David's Definition of the Purpose of Confession
In Psalm 51:4 we hear the purpose of David's declaration
of sin. He says that he acknowledges and declares his sin -
"...that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear
when thou judgest."
In other words, King David is saying that if God were to judge him
for the transgressions he has made, that God would be "justified"
and "clear" in doing so. Why? Because (and this is the key point as Charles
Stanley taught it) David is saying that his sin of adultery (and murder)
is wrong.
When David confessed that his actions were *wrong, it is at that
point that his peace with God is restored. You see, when we are in
sin, we are in rebellion and at warfare against God. Do you believe
and understand that? We really are. (Just check out 1st John 1:6.)
Conclusion:
In true confession, we end up saying the very same thing that God
says about something, therefore being once again in one accord
with God on the matter. When we do this- rebellion has ended and
our fellowship with God has been restored. Not because we have
"informed" God of something, but because we now are in agreement
and peace with God, once again.
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