The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Conformity and Confession"
Part 4 - To Say the Same Thing
Confession of sin involves a broader matter than we sometimes consider, involving far more than merely acknowledging we have distrusted and disobeyed God. The Greek root word for confess is "homologeo," meaning "to say the same thing." To say the same thing as what? As who? God and His Word supply the answers. Confession of sin involves agreeing with God about sin. This leads us to the Scriptures. What did the Holy Spirit inspire in His Word regarding the matter?
"In Thy light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:9).
First and foremost, the truth about sin involves the truth about the Savior. Before we ever existed, and before we sinned, the Lord Jesus Christ abode in the heart and mind of God as "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). The supply existed before the need arose. From Eden onward, saying the same thing about sin means that which God says regarding His grace and mercy in the Lord Jesus. Every sin forgiven in the history of the human race flows from Calvary, whether sinners looking forward to redemption to some, or looking backward on the Redeemer who came. To agree with God about sin means that we join Him in the Christ-centered view that full atonement was made, and full pardon and cleansing is available. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1).
In this blessed and holy light, we see that genuine confession of sin begins not with focus on ourselves (the very thing that in some manner led us to sin), but rather by directing our gaze to the person and work of the Lord Jesus. Our initial approach to the throne of grace must be graced not by "I have sinned." Certainly, such acknowledgement and accompanying repentance must come. However, "The Lord Jesus has died for sin and rose as our eternal Mediator" leads us to the altar of cleansing. Indeed, if we could audibly hear the Holy Spirit when we fall, His sounding and resounding voice would ring with the anthem, "Christ died! Christ rose from the dead! Christ sits at the right hand of the Father! Christ intercedes for your forgiveness and cleansing! Forgiveness and cleansing, purchased and attained, awaits in Him!"
The Gospel tells us how dire is our need. It does so, however, in the light of how infinitely adequate the Lord Jesus is as our supply. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 5:20-21). To "say the same thing" about sin as God always begins with the Lord Jesus. Not ourselves. A far truer assurance of forgiveness and cleansing restores the believer by this entrance into mercy. Subsequently, a far more contrite and effectual repentance ensues. "I will be sorry for my sin" most pervades the heart when we remember and affirm our Lord's sorrow in purchasing our pardon (Psalm 38:18).
Confession of sin begins with "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). How could it begin anywhere else? As we approach the throne of grace, let us see by faith our Father's gaze fixed upon His Son for us, "the Lamb slain." Only as we join Him in this gaze of grace will we then agree with Him and most effectually "confess our sins" (I John 1:9).
"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
(Ephesians 2:18)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight."
(Psalm 119:35).
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