What does the word "confess" mean? Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words lists three Greek words which mean "confess" or "confession." The first is homologeo, which literally means "to speak the same thing, to assent, accord, agree with"; the second is exomolegeo, with the same meaning of the first but adds "out" and "intensive", making it stronger than the first word; and the third is homologia, which is akin to the first two words but adds "denotes confession by acknowledgment of the truth." In other words — "to agree with."
Yet most believers seem to think it means to ask for forgiveness; to say they're sorry — and really feel it deep down inside — so that God will forgive them again, thereby restoring fellowship with Him (all erroneously based on 1 John 1:3-9). On top of this, there's usually an added inferred promise that they'll try harder next time round, too. Just like the foolish Galatians, they came to Christ by faith, but soon their old religious flesh insisted on getting in on the action, doing something for God and trying to please Him through self-effort.
But it isn't about trying harder, it's about putting off the old man (stop focusing on ourselves) and putting on the new man (putting the focus back on Christ), and that can be done at a moment's notice. We do get better at this over time, if we're in the Word, talking with the Lord, fellow-shipping with other believers, etc. But there will always be that struggle within us while we're on this earth.
It seems to me, however, that too many of us are trying to discipline our old natures, when what we should be doing is putting them off (Rom 13:12; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:8-10). Besides, it can't be done. Scripture has shown us that over and over again. Scripture also tells us that focusing on what we have failed to do, doesn't keep us from sinning, it just keeps us focused on our failures (our old natures) instead of on Christ and what He's done for us (Phil 3:12-14). Moreover, it's grace that teaches us to say no to sin, not confession (Titus 2:11-12). God's provision for our sin isn't in confessing them one by one. Rather, it's through the renewal of our minds (Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:16, 22).
The fact that we are already forgiven doesn't mean we don't agree with God when we have acted or thought in a way inconsistent with our new identity in Christ. We are told to talk to God about everything, and that would include sins we're battling, but not for forgiveness because we've already been eternally forgiven. Of course God is quite aware of our continuing struggles with our old natures and Satan; He just wants us to depend on Him.
Also, being forgiven doesn't mean we shouldn't speak to our brothers and sisters in Christ if they've gone astray (1 Thes 5:14; 2 Thes 3:11-15; 2 Cor 2:4-8; Gal 6:1). Sometimes I don't think we even realize we've let our old natures take control; other times we're quite aware and don't care, don't want to change, or don't seem to know what to do about it. The Holy Spirit and Scripture, first and foremost (Rom 15:4-5), encourage us to keep putting off the old and putting on the new, but fellow believers (1 Thes 5:11-14), and prayer, etc. can also encourage us to do so (Phil 4:6-8; Rom 12:12). And when other people have been hurt by our actions, we need to go to them and confess our wrong-doing to them and make it right (James 5:16), but this issue is between brothers and sisters in Christ; God's forgiveness is not in question here.
Confession, then, is to agree with God, not only concerning sin, but also that we are eternally forgiven. It even goes a step further and agrees with God concerning what attitudes and actions are consistent with our new natures. You see, true confession doesn't focus our minds on our failures, but back to what Christ accomplished for us on the cross, which leads to a thankful heart. It is when we agree with God concerning forgiveness that our minds begin to see the vastness of His grace that He has for us in Christ Jesus. And understanding God's grace is what changes the way we live by enabling us to see people, circumstances, and things from His perspective and to respond out of love for Him.
*I have reposted the last two posts to refute what Alan Redpath used to say to believers, “God has not promised to forgive one sin that you will not forsake.” (See also these posts, 1 John 1:9 and 1 John 1:9 cont.) From the standpoint of logic, if this is truly the way it is, none of us would even make it into heaven. But more importantly — I know of no Scripture in context to support such a statement. Do you?
Yet most believers seem to think it means to ask for forgiveness; to say they're sorry — and really feel it deep down inside — so that God will forgive them again, thereby restoring fellowship with Him (all erroneously based on 1 John 1:3-9). On top of this, there's usually an added inferred promise that they'll try harder next time round, too. Just like the foolish Galatians, they came to Christ by faith, but soon their old religious flesh insisted on getting in on the action, doing something for God and trying to please Him through self-effort.
But it isn't about trying harder, it's about putting off the old man (stop focusing on ourselves) and putting on the new man (putting the focus back on Christ), and that can be done at a moment's notice. We do get better at this over time, if we're in the Word, talking with the Lord, fellow-shipping with other believers, etc. But there will always be that struggle within us while we're on this earth.
It seems to me, however, that too many of us are trying to discipline our old natures, when what we should be doing is putting them off (Rom 13:12; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:8-10). Besides, it can't be done. Scripture has shown us that over and over again. Scripture also tells us that focusing on what we have failed to do, doesn't keep us from sinning, it just keeps us focused on our failures (our old natures) instead of on Christ and what He's done for us (Phil 3:12-14). Moreover, it's grace that teaches us to say no to sin, not confession (Titus 2:11-12). God's provision for our sin isn't in confessing them one by one. Rather, it's through the renewal of our minds (Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:16, 22).
The fact that we are already forgiven doesn't mean we don't agree with God when we have acted or thought in a way inconsistent with our new identity in Christ. We are told to talk to God about everything, and that would include sins we're battling, but not for forgiveness because we've already been eternally forgiven. Of course God is quite aware of our continuing struggles with our old natures and Satan; He just wants us to depend on Him.
Also, being forgiven doesn't mean we shouldn't speak to our brothers and sisters in Christ if they've gone astray (1 Thes 5:14; 2 Thes 3:11-15; 2 Cor 2:4-8; Gal 6:1). Sometimes I don't think we even realize we've let our old natures take control; other times we're quite aware and don't care, don't want to change, or don't seem to know what to do about it. The Holy Spirit and Scripture, first and foremost (Rom 15:4-5), encourage us to keep putting off the old and putting on the new, but fellow believers (1 Thes 5:11-14), and prayer, etc. can also encourage us to do so (Phil 4:6-8; Rom 12:12). And when other people have been hurt by our actions, we need to go to them and confess our wrong-doing to them and make it right (James 5:16), but this issue is between brothers and sisters in Christ; God's forgiveness is not in question here.
Confession, then, is to agree with God, not only concerning sin, but also that we are eternally forgiven. It even goes a step further and agrees with God concerning what attitudes and actions are consistent with our new natures. You see, true confession doesn't focus our minds on our failures, but back to what Christ accomplished for us on the cross, which leads to a thankful heart. It is when we agree with God concerning forgiveness that our minds begin to see the vastness of His grace that He has for us in Christ Jesus. And understanding God's grace is what changes the way we live by enabling us to see people, circumstances, and things from His perspective and to respond out of love for Him.
*I have reposted the last two posts to refute what Alan Redpath used to say to believers, “God has not promised to forgive one sin that you will not forsake.” (See also these posts, 1 John 1:9 and 1 John 1:9 cont.) From the standpoint of logic, if this is truly the way it is, none of us would even make it into heaven. But more importantly — I know of no Scripture in context to support such a statement. Do you?
Another excellent post. I really appreciate that you thoroughly consider the whole of scripture as you write on a specific subject.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouraging comment, Karen. I always appreciate and respect your opinion.
ReplyDeleteI am beginning to understand your take on this. I agree that we are forgiven for both past and future sins. We are pushing at an open door if we ask forgiveness again. The plain fact is that we continue to sin. This must be because the 'old man' still has a hold on us. I agree that trying to reform ourselves is pointless. This has to be the work of the Holy Spirit. Putting off the old self is a task beyong us and must be acomplished by Him. The difficulty I find is whatever we call the process of being made holier than we are naturally is that we must take no credit for its accomplishment - whether we are surrendering control or striving to be better, there is always the temptation to look at ourselves and pat ourselves on the back. Even obedience attracts praise to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI guess that all we can do is pray and study and ask for God's will to be done.