Confession

Confession

Max Lucado

The Devotional Bible

Perhaps we didn't take the money but we've taken advantage or taken control or taken leave of our senses and then, like the thief, we've taken off. Dashing down alleys of deceit. Hiding behind buildings of work to be done or deadlines to be met.

Though we try to act normal, anyone who looks closely at us can see we are on the lam: Eyes darting and hands fidgeting, we chatter nervously committed to the cover-up, we scheme and squirm, changing the topic and changing direction. We don't want anyone to know the truth, especially God.

Am I missing the mark when I say that many of us attend Church on the run? Am I out of line when I say many of us spend life on the run?

Am I overstating the case when I announce, "Grace means you don't have to run anymore!" It's the truth. Grace means that it's finally safe to turn ourselves in.

Confession does for the soul what preparing the land does for the field. Before the farmer sows the seed he works the acreage, removing the rocks and pulling the stumps. He know that seed grows better if the land is prepared. Confession is the act of inviting God to walk the acreage of our hearts. "There is a rock of greed over there, Father; I can't budge it. And there is a tree of guilt near the fence? Its roots are long and deep. And may I sow you some dry soil, too crusty for seed?" God's seed grows better if the soil of the heart is cleared.

And so the Father and the Son walk the field together; digging and pulling, preparing the heart for fruit. Confession invites the Father to work the soil of the soul.

STUDY GUIDES

"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 us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. " (1 John 1:8-10)

* Think of a time when you felt very guilty about something. How did your guilty conscience affect your behavior?

* How does chronic guilt affect us physically?

* If God knows us better than we know ourselves and is eager to forgive us, what keeps us from confessing our sins to him?

* Describe the freedom that confession brings?

* Why is it so difficult to confess our sins to one another?

* What criteria do most people follow to determine what sins to openly confess to others?

* How do we relate to God and other people differently when we have confessed and received forgiveness?

* Why do people say, "Admitting your problems is the first step to overcoming it?"

* Think of the most difficult confession you've ever made. What did you learn from that experience?

* How can you practice confession on a more regular basis?

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The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus; Max Lucado, General Editor, New Century Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers