Confession makes the heart grow lighter. The burden is removed. The funny thing is that God is omniscient. We do not have to confess our sins for him to know them. Confession unburdens our hearts. The price of our sin is already paid in full.
Children can be a beautiful example of confession. When they do something they know they should not do, it grows bigger and bigger until they clean their hearts through the act of confession.
For Adam and Eve, the result of disobedience cost them their garden home. They hid from God. Was shame or fear felt first? I suspect shame. He only gave them one restriction in the entire garden. Just one.
The enemy of our souls deceived them. They were embarrassed for the first time when God called them by name. They tasted shame. Disobedience had a price.
“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” -Genesis 3:11
Adam and Eve delivered their excuses. Excuses did not change the reality of their sin.
God felt the weight of their sin, too. He wanted them to choose Him and love Him, not by command... but by choice. Freewill was His gift. With that gift, they showed pride and arrogance. God is truth, mercy, and justice. He had warned them of the consequences.
I am still in awe of a God who does not write us off when we fail. He gave us a way to reconcile. Reconciliation and forgiveness can be a foundation for stronger relationships. From hurt, to healing, and in hope, we have the opportunity to lighten our load when we confess our sins to Him.
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9
Do not neglect the gift of humble confession to a mighty God who desires a restored relationship with us. He made a way. He became the way.
"Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." -John 14:6
Today, I am grateful for confession.
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