“Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God and committed adultery against him by worshiping idols under every green tree. Confess that you refused to follow me. I, the Lord, have spoken” (Jeremiah 3:13 NLT).
What comes to mind when you hear the word confession?
Do you see the dimly lit closet holding an errant parishioner on one side and a priest on the other?
Do you see the child with his hand in the cookie jar?
Do you see the handwritten statement given by someone charged with a crime?
Do you see yourself? Do you see yourself broken? Embarrassed? Ashamed? Do you see yourself actually guilt-ridden for having committed what it is you must confess?
Let me guess, you’ve never gone quite that far with your thoughts? In all honesty, neither had I—until I read today’s Scripture.
Guilt. Charges of sinfulness. Acknowledging that I chose not to follow the Lord’s leading. I chose to refuse.
Confession is coming alongside God on His assessment of my heart. Confession, the kind that will change your life and show regret for former actions, is not pretty…but it’s necessary.
Malinda Edgell
Illinois
PRAY TOGETHER: Ask God to strengthen our Free Will Baptist churches around the world. Pray for unity among church members, spiritual growth, commitment to take the gospel to others, sound marriages, demonstrations of God’s love and peace in their lives, solid biblical teaching, and servant-leadership. Pray each congregation will be a lighthouse of His glory and grace. (40 Days of Prayer and Fasting with Free Will Baptist International Missions)
