CONFESSION OF SINS

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. This subject of "confession of sins" is a difficult one because
      the Bible doesn't say much about it.
   B. Nonetheless, it is a much needed subject.
      1. The fact that men sin is proof enough. Rom. 3:23
      2. We cannot be forgiven without a confession, but what is
         involved in it?
   C. It is true there is "continual cleansing" for the sinner, but  
      it is obtained only when one meets the requirements for his    
      cleansing.

I. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OF FORGIVENESS? (Please notice charts     
   below).
   A. A penitent heart. Psalm 51:1-3, 17; Luke 15:17-19; 18:13-14; 2
      Cor. 7:10
      1. Truly God will receive the sorrowful and contrite heart.
   B. Confession. 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
   C. Prayer. Luke 11:4; Acts 8:22-24
   D. True repentance (a change) is necessary.
      1. Simply to say, "I have sinned," is not enough.
         a. Ex. King Saul - 1 Sam. 26:21. Judas - Matt. 27:3-5
         b. Most drunkards will bemoan their condition, even cry
            about it, but never change.
      2. One cannot repent, and then continue to commit the same
         sin. 1 Cor. 6:12
         a. Everyone who truly wants to overcome sinful habits,
            can do it. 1 Cor. 10:13.
   E. Continue to walk in the light. 1 John 1:7; Prov. 28:9; Heb.    
      10:26

II. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CONFESS OUR SINS?
   A. 1 John 1:9 - "Confession of sins" involves both "admitting one
      guilt" and "declaring openly, speaking out freely" as shown by
      Vine and Thayer.
   B. Since we must "admit our guilt" and "speak out freely," we
      conclude:
      1. Ceasing only does not remove sin. Prov. 28:13; 1 Tim. 5:24
         a. Some may manage to hide their sins; however, they will
            face them at the judgment.
      2. Time does not remove sin. Ex. Moses - Deut. 3:23-27
      3. Good works do not amend or rectify sin. Micah 6:6-8; Luke
         17:10; Isa. 64:6; Psalm 50:7-12
         a. Israelites thought that offering animal sacrifices would
            suffice for their sins.
         b. There are no good works we can do to make up for our
            sin. We are already obligated to do the good works.
         c. It would be like a worker saying to the rich land owner
            whom he offended, "I'll give part of this land to make
            up for my offense." How could he do it when the
            landowner already owned the land?
      4. Punishment and affliction to oneself to make up for his sin.
         Ex. the Monks.
         a. Heb. 13:9; Col. 2:23 - Such things do not profit against
            the indulgence of the flesh.
         b. In other words, they do not strengthen or make one
            stronger spiritually.

III. TO WHOM SHOULD WE CONFESS?
   A. We should not confess to a priest or preacher.
      1. According to James 5:16, a priest would then need to
         confess back to the confessor.
      2. There are no priestly or clerical distinctions under the New
         Testament system. 1 Pet. 2:5,9
   B. We must confess to God; every sin is against Him. Psalm 51:4
      1. Most sins of the Christian are of this nature. A sin against
         God, one in which only God knows, needs to be confessed
         only to God.
   C. We must confess to those against whom we have sinned and to
      those who know about our sins.
      1. We include "those who know about our sins" because they
         are obligated to restore us when we have sinned. Gal. 6:1
      2. I believe that this is the type of confession of sins to    
         which James 5:16 is referring. It does not mean that we     
         should broadcast our sins to everyone.
      3. Some examples:
         a. A private sin. Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24
         b. Public sins (not in seriousness, but in public           
            knowledge).
         c. Illustrations:
            (1) Drinking. For example, one is arrested for public
                drunkenness.
            (2) Fornication. 
                (a) They must confess to God and to each other.
                (b) However, if some come to know about it.
                    For example, it results in pregnancy and all
                    the church knows about it. Truly this "brings
                    reproach upon the church." Titus 2:5; 1 Tim.
                    5:14
            (3) Adultery.
                (a) Must confess to God, the one with whom
                    they committed adultery, and to their spouse.
                    Mark 10:11-12
         d. Forsaking the assemblies. 
            (1) It becomes a sin that within time becomes known
                to all.
         e. Moving in from a church that has false teaching and
            practices.

IV. FALSE IDEAS AND WRONG PRACTICES REGARDING PUBLIC CONFESSION.
   A. It is wrong for preachers to preach as though anyone who has
      sinned should come forward.
      1. Many invitations are nothing more that strong, emotional
         persuasion for people to come forward.
         a. As a result, many come forward to make "public
            confession" when there is no need to do so.
      2. This perhaps would be necessary if some were trying to hide
         public sins, but most of the time it is not the case.
   B. A common expression is, "He ought to be made to go forward."
      1. This is stated as though "going forward" is the due
         punishment for sin.
      2. This stems from the old denominational idea of "doing
         penance."
   C. Some come forward and say, "I have sinned."
      1. It would not be out of order for one to ask for the prayers 
         of the saints for a "rededication of one's life" or "for a
         particular problem."
      2. However, to say, "I have sinned" only makes everyone
         wonder, and usually they suspect the worse.
      3. In some cases, a long explanation is not necessary.
   D. Some go to another congregation and make a public confession.
      1. Clearly they don't understand what "confession" is.
      2. It has become to them some type of ritual that one must go
         through when they commit what to them is a serious sin.
   E. Some come forward and confess, "If I have offended anyone..."
      1. Some so-called public confessions are nothing more than a
         denial of one's guilt and/or an elaborate explanation of how
         "it's all just a big misunderstanding."
      2. Such confessions are no confession at all.

V. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF PROPERLY CONFESSING OUR SINS.
   A. In spite of all that we have said, and regardless of all the   
      false ideas regarding public confessions, we want to now give
      exhortation for any who need to repent.
   B. In other words, perhaps there is someone here who truly needs  
      to make a public confession.
   C. What are the benefits and effects of a true public confession  
      of sins?
      1. God is obeyed. 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
      2. It shows our sincerity. 2 Cor. 7:10; Rev. 21:7-8
      3. It shows humility. 1 Pet. 5:5-6
      4. It lifts a burden off our shoulders. 1 John 1:9b; Heb. 8:12
      5. It serves as a safeguard. 1 Tim. 5:20
      6. The righteous will pray for and encourage you. James 5:16b
      7. It gives encouragement to others. Phil. 3:17; Heb. 13:7
      8. Above all, sin is removed. 1 John 1:9; Heb. 10:1-4, 11-14;
         9:13-14

Concl.
   A. God will forgive us when we confess our sins.
   B. All of us need to repent as soon as we recognize sin in our    
      lives.
      1. We need to do whatever is necessary to obtain forgiveness.
      2. However, we need to follow the Bible and not man, for man
         often binds heavy burdens which no one is able to bear.

Chart #1
Conditions Of Forgiveness

Penitent Heart - Psalm 51:1-3,17; Luke 15:17-19; 18:13-14; 2 Cor.
7:10

Confession - 1 John 1:9; James 5:16

Prayer - Luke 11:4; Acts 8:22-24

True Repentance - 1 Sam. 26:21; Matt. 27:3-5; 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:13

Walk in the Light - 1 John 1:7; Prov. 28:9; Heb. 10:26

Chart #2
What Does It Mean To Confess Sins?

Since we must "admit our guilt" and "declare openly," we conclude:

Ceasing only does not remove - Prov. 28:13; 1 Tim. 5:24

Time does not erase - Deut. 3:23-27

Good works - Micah 6:6-8; Luke 17:10; Isa. 64:6; Psalm 50:7-12

Punishment & afflictions to oneself - Heb. 13:9; Col. 2:23

Chart #3
To Whom Should We Confess?

Not to a priest or preacher.

To God; every sin is against Him - Psalm 51:4.

To those against whom we have sinned and to those who know about our
sins - James 5:16.

Some examples:
   A private sin - Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24
   Public sins (not in seriousness, but in public knowledge).
      Illustrations:
         Drinking
         Fornication
         Adultery
         Forsaking assemblies
         Moving from false church

Chart #4
False Ideas And Wrong Practices:

Wrong for preachers to preach as though anyone who
has sinned should come forward.

"He ought to be made to go forward."

Coming forward and saying, "I have sinned."

Going to another church and making a public confession.

Confess "If I have offended anyone..."

Chart #6
Effects Of Confessing Sins

God is Obeyed - 1 John 1:9; James 5:16

Shows Sincerity - 2 Cor. 7:10; Rev. 21:7-8

Demonstrates Humility - 1 Pet. 5:5-6

Lifts the Burden - 1 John 1:9b; Heb. 8:12

Serves as Safeguard - 1 Tim. 5:20

Righteous Will Pray and Encourage - James 5:16b

Encourages Others - Phil. 3:17; Heb. 13:7

Above All, Sin is Removed. 1 John 1:9; Heb. 10:1-4, 11-14; 9:13-14