“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”- 1 John 1:8-9
“The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.”- Augustine
In Chapter 7 (“Coming Clean with God”) of Grace, Max Lucado starts by distinguishing what confession is from what it is not.
Confession is not:
1. telling god what He doesn’t know (impossible)
2. complaining (aka whining)
3. blaming others (feels good, but doesn’t promote healing)
Confession is:
1. a radical reliance on grace
2. a proclamation of our trust in God’s goodness
3. honest, created by great (as opposed to small) grace
Pastor Lucado illustrates the necessity of confession by telling the story of a Chinese man who tried every possible treatment for his throbbing headaches. When an x-ray was taken, doctors discovered a rusty four-inch knife blade that had been lodged in his skull for four years- the result of an attack by robbers.
Max describes the result of foreign objects buried in our souls:
“Guilt lies hidden beneath the surface, festering, irritating. Sometimes so deeply embedded you don’t know the cause. You become moody, cranky. You’re prone to overreact. You’re angry, irritable.”
The solution, the author concludes, is to let God apply grace to our wounds, to welcome His probing and healing touch.
Today’s question (from Max): Are you willing to let God apply grace to your wounds? What will you do to allow him access to your most places? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Sustaining grace”
