How to confess sins according to the bible

Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many A. Read Chapter All Versions. As a sinner, I’m glad we can go directly to God for forgiveness 24/7, on any day, in any year. When people stubbornly rebel against God and refuse to repent, the Bible says that God’s righteous anger is aroused (Psalm 7:11). James 5:16 in all English translations. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. The Sacrament of Penance is God's gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven. Be baptized for the remission of sins. ) To acknowledge; to admit; to concede. The first step to confessing your sins is acknowledging them. As we repent to what Jesus wants we do as He says. Jul 11, 2014 · Your having this adulterous affair is a sin against your wife, and until you have confessed to her and until you have repented to her I don’t think you are finished with the process of repenting. Evaluate yourself and come to terms with the iniquities you have committed. Come near to God and he will come near to you. John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. As for the confession of our sins to people, the Bible gives no blanket command. First, Scripture says that whenever we sin, we sin against God. Jan 4, 2022 · Although adultery is a sin against God, first and foremost, the Bible also says that our bodies do not belong to ourselves, but also to the one we are married to (1 Corinthians 7:4). This verse is part of Paul’s personal letter to Timothy and provides instructions on how to live and lead. Jan 20, 2023 · January 20, 2023. Salvation is being saved or rescued from the penalty of sin. Jan 31, 2018 · Here are a couple things to keep in mind: 1. According to the Bible, confession means agreeing with God about who we are—sinners— acknowledging specific sins before God as we recognize them, and humbly admitting our sin to others. At the outset of the Christian life we “confess” or acknowledge Jesus as Lord (Rom. You should focus on the sins most pressing on your mind. and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. According to 1 John 1:9, our God always values what is right according to His justice, and it’s scary to fall under His wrath. Psalm 32:1-5. Confess your faults one to another. If you sin against another, the Bible is pretty clear that you shouldn't first go to the altar, but first go and get it right with your brother before you go to the altar ( Matthew 5:23-24 ). God cannot tolerate sin or look upon evil (Habakkuk 1:13). James 5:16 Meaning and Commentary. The word translated “confess” is a combination of two Greek words: homo meaning “saying” and lego meaning “to say. 1 John 1:9. Perform Your Penance. When you are ˜ nished, conclude with these or similar words: “I am sorry for these and all my sins. And if you are still struggling to find peace, share it with a pastor or a trusted Christian brother or sister so that they can help you apply the promise of the gospel to this particular situation, and so you may find peace. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame. (1 John 3:4; 5:17) The Bible also describes sins of omission—that is, failing to do what is right. Today, true godly sorrow leads me to repentance. You cannot earn or deserve it. But when we humble ourselves and confess our sins to Him, He is faithful enough to forgive and make us right again. The Israelites stood and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. A search of the Bible reveals that at least fifteen times the Bible refers to our sins being against God. God assures us that while our relationship with him is personal, it’s not private. In 1 John 1:9, the Apostle John teaches the early church the importance of confession. After confession, you will be given penance by your priest. Easton's Bible Dictionary - Confession. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Don’t feel bad, so was I. Scripture tells us to confess our sin to God, which requires a certain amount of self-examination. Thus, the idea of confession is to view sin as God views it and to identify with His May 29, 2009 · So something really valuable happens when we confess our sins to one another. You have to come up with some kind of guideline. i. He addresses his letter to people who claim to have fellowship with God, yet are living in sin, “If we claim to Whenever one sins privately against an individual or even multiple individuals, the sinner may repent and confess his sin to those he has sinned against thereby resolving the matter: Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The only way we become righteous people is through Christ Jesus. This definition, however, does not take into account those things If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Private as well as public confession was enjoined, and many forms of confession, both general and particular, exist, among others one for the sick; it was the duty of the Rabbis to urge the sick person to confess his sins. There will be times when we must confess our sins to those we have sinned against. To admit as true; to assent to; to acknowledge, as after a previous doubt, denial, or concealment. When he does this, he is added by the Lord to His church ( Acts 2:41, 47 ). (James 5:16) Jul 20, 2020 · 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. In other words, God keeps His promises, and He will restore fellowship with you when you confess your sin to Him. Sophia Bricker. When we confess to someone what we’ve done they can help us. The miracle of salvation is that God involves us in His eternal plan. May 3, 2023 · Sin is a relentless master that looks to steer and direct every aspect of a person’s life. 2 Those people who were true Israelites separated themselves from foreigners. To be of one word with Him is to say, “For me, Jesus is my Jul 2, 2021 · If we confess our sins, god is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to clean us from all. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. First, the New Testament does not teach that there are to be priests in the New Covenant. This may mean admitting your wrong actions to yourself and to God. 1 John 1:9 is not simply John’s opinion about God. Additionally, you should speak to God directly and share the areas where you know you have sinned. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned… putting. What do you mean by the “kinds of sin?”. 6. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. e. So confessing is not a payment. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. The concept of confession is mentioned throughout the Bible, with many verses encouraging believers to confess their sins to God directly. Confession is a safe place to express your sorrow and confess your sins, allowing you to reach true absolution and forgiveness for your sins. John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. to agree with. He is in Christ where all spiritual blessings are to be found. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. My guideline is that the repentance should be roughly as broad as the effect of the sin. The physical act of sex is the symbol of the way a married couple becomes one flesh when God joins them together in marriage (1 Corinthians 6:15-16). . Oct 10, 2022 · With Sincerity. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. ) To make confession; to disclose sins or faults, or the state of the conscience. When we properly handle sin through confession, we have this promise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Sep 19, 2019 · 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. —James 4:17. Oct 11, 2021 · James 5:16 tells us to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. And here's the way I conceive it: And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. You can confess your sins directly to God. 6 minute read. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Everyone living today, under God's age of grace ( Eph 3:2 ), are not required to confess our sins to God because our sins were defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be Romans 3:23-24 sin grace Savior. First Peter 2:5-9 describes believers as a “holy priesthood” and a “royal priesthood. Acknowledge Your Sins. Feb 13, 2023 · James 5:16 tells us what to do when we sin against one another: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. Have you ever kept a secret of some dark, embarrassing thing because you knew that They wore sackcloth and put ashes on their heads to show they were sad and upset. May 25, 2024 · James says, “Confess your sins one to another so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). This day-by-day cleansing from sin and growth in grace is called sanctification (Romans 6:19). Excellent question. There are many things we recognize as vital in the Christian life. The activity of confession is not simply in enumeration of various sins but a genuine sorrow over sin in a Christian’s life. He is born again ( John 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17 ). ) To hear or receive such confession; -- said of a priest. 790. Turn to God in prayer, asking for His mercy and help in overcoming sin. This exhortation was a key scriptural basis for the early Romans 10:9-11 ESV / 60 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. James 5:16 clearly says, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. 3. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Mar 31, 2024 · Ask and Seek and Knock: This is God's will. The first step, when the sinner forsakes his sins and accepts Christ, is called Sin is any action, feeling, or thought that goes against God’s standards. As part of repentance, we should confess our sins to God, and also to other people when appropriate (Matthew 3:1-6, Matthew 18:15-18, Luke 15:21, Acts 19:18, James 5:16-17, 1 John 1:8-9). You should confess to a person you trust to have your best interests in mind, such as someone in your community group. (1) An open profession of faith ( Luke 12:8 ). Rather, it is asserting that, when someone trusted Christ and subsequently Romans 8:1-39 ESV / 3 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. Verse Concepts. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Jun 8, 2022 · The Bible is very realistic about that: “ If we say we have no sins, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. For example, 1 John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Repent of all his past sins; 4. Apr 4, 2023 · The Bible says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. It literally means “to be of one word. Additionally, the book of James tells Christians to confess their sins to each other and to “confess your faults one to Feb 17, 2021 · James 5:16 ESV. Even if you didn't do something obviously wrong, we can all improve on the times we forgot to do something right. Lying, stealing or hurting someone for personal gain. First, we are to confess our sins to God. Sep 12, 2023 · The Bible clearly tells us what we should do when we sin: we must confess our sins to the Lord. Confess means “agree with,” “see it the way God sees it,” “feel about it the way God feels about it. So confession is crucial at that point to another person. James 5:16. God will do what God said He will do. Biblically she has ownership—that is radical language, I Corinthians, chapter 7—she has ownership over your sexuality, and so your sin affects Jul 18, 2022 · If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Acts 19:18: “ Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. Jan 4, 2022 · First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 8. Because we’re a body, what we do in our personal lives affects our brothers and sisters in Christ. Fight the good fight of the faith. Isaiah 53:6 May 4, 2009 · Good question. This passage is seen by many as evidence that confessing one’s sins to a priest is part of the Christian faith. Q. It includes breaking God’s laws by doing what is wrong, or unrighteous, in God’s sight. This raises the question about whether confession should be private or public. The bible presents two avenues for the confession of sins. As Christians, we will sin on our journey. This act of absolution signifies the assurance of God's mercy and the restoration of the penitent's relationship with God and the Church. Think about: Insults, fights, or rudeness to loved ones. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. A few examples are Exodus 10:16; Numbers 32:23 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Confess Your Sins To God. We lay down the pursuits of the world and Jan 14, 2024 · The Bible teaches that God is patient, merciful, and loving. Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. You do not need to confess to a pastor, priest, or spiritual leader to be forgiven. Sep 29, 2021 · 2 Think back on the sins you’ve committed since your last confession. Proverbs 28:13. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the price for sin with His shed blood on the Cross of Jan 20, 2021 · Confessing our sins is a necessary and godly practice that helps us to reorient our life to God, and live in fellowship with other believers. See full list on whatchristianswanttoknow. David Sanford. Simply put, sin is anything that is contrary to what the Word of God commands or forbids. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Confession need not take place in a special booth, in a grand religious structure or before a human spiritual leader. The third step in guarding your heart is to confess any sins that you are aware of. ” 4 CONFESSION: Confess all your sins to the priest. Confessing our sins to God is indispensable in our Christian life. If we can never find any sin to confess, then “we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” ( 1 John 1:8 ). It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. Confess your sins to God. This person should be someone we trust and who is following Jesus. Which must be understood of sins committed against one another; which should be acknowledged, and repentance for them declared, in order to mutual forgiveness and reconciliation; and this is necessary at all times, and especially on beds of affliction, and when Sep 19, 2023 · Answer. To confess your sins according to the Bible, you should first acknowledge your sins. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’—and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Then, it would be best if you decided to admit them, repent from them, and grieve over your wrongdoings. com Jan 4, 2022 · The Bible presents two avenues for the confession of sins. It seems clear, so a Catholic would argue, that Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins. Confession is regarded as a meritorious act: according to Sanhedrin, 103 a, it has the effect of enabling the worst sinners Sep 26, 2023 · James 5:16 tells us to confess our sins to one another if we want to be healed. To conclude, Romans 10:9-10 is not establishing public confession as a prerequisite for salvation. Nathanael. First Timothy 6:12 states, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Jan 14, 2024 · How to Confess According to the Bible Confess Directly to God. An acknowledment of sins to God ( Leviticus 16:21 ; Ezra 9:5-15 ; Daniel 9:3-12 ), and to a neighbour whom we have wronged ( James 5:16 ; Matthew 18:15 ). ”. Or as the NLT says, “Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. You do not need another human mediator, since (by faith) you already have Jesus Christ: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jul 14, 2021 · Confess Your Sin to Others. James 4:8. Particularly concerning asking for the Holy Spirit And I (Jesus) say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Feb 5, 2020 · Another definition of sin is found in 1 John 3:4, “sin is lawlessness. We are all sinners, and the consequence of sin is death—not just physical death, but eternal separation from God. ” This verse is written to Christians and hinges on the word if. But when we get to 1 John 1:9, John is dealing with what mainstream Christianity calls “relational forgiveness. The reality is we need others in our lives to help us move forward. Jun 30, 2021 · John 20:23 is a key passage for Catholics when it comes to biblical evidence for the sacrament of confession: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. In order to confess your sins, you need to first acknowledge that you have sinned. Confess that Christ is God’s Son; 5. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Jun 25, 2020 · The word ‘acknowledge’ (or confess) in the Greek is homo = ‘one’ plus logeo = ‘word. But not so for Protestants. Mar 14, 2022 · Just stick with John’s word. The setting of the confession of sins in the Old Testament is frequently public. Relational forgiveness is something we get whenever we confess our current sins. The Bible teaches us that we should confess our sins directly to God. We are told many times to confess our sins to the Lord, but the only direct command to confess to someone else is in the context of church elders To disclose or reveal, as an effect discloses its cause; to prove; to attest. Then, admit to yourself that you are guilty of sinning and rebelled against God through them. The chief qualities of a good Confession are three: it must be humble, sincere, and entire. Keep a journal to record your thoughts, prayers, and reflections. When Joshua tells the thief Achan “give glory 1 John 1:8-10 ESV / 11 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. Examine what sort of images you are exposing yourself to. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Reflect back on the good deeds you ignored, and the subtle sins you may have committed. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. So I think believers will face an accounting. Instead, the New Testament teaches that all believers are priests. Paul never mentions confessing our sins, or even how to get our sins forgiven in ANY of his thirteen First and most importantly, we must confess our sins to God. Jesus is our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). 1. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Jan 4, 2022 · Biblically, our confession is made to God, not to a priest. By the “kinds of sin,” we mean the particular division or class to which the sins belong; that is, whether they be sins of blasphemy, disobedience, anger, impurity, dishonesty, etc. ( v. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and Anyone can trust in Jesus’ sacrifice and be forgiven. 3 They stood there for about three hours, and the people read the Book of the Law of the Lord their God. But the next verse makes clear that our sin does not need to separate us from God: “ If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to clean us from all unrighteousness Jan 4, 2022 · A nocturnal emission is not sinful in and of itself, but it can be the result of sinful thoughts, desires, and input. Before you got saved, whether you realized it or not, you were dominated and controlled by sin. When should we confess sins publicly? I have to constantly decide this for myself and for those who ask me about a certain situation. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. May 8, 2023 · Remember the words of 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. James 4:17. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. t. Sin controlled us then and even though you are a Christian, sin is still looking to take back control now. First John 1:9, which was written to believers, says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. James suggests the importance of public confession: "Confess your sins to each other" ( James 5:16; cf. The concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in Scripture. also Acts 19:18). Pin on KLMarkert Photography and Graphic Design . The Woman at the Well. Confession of sins was required of Israel while under God's covenant with them. It is dangerous to lie to ourselves. John, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was writing down God’s very words for us. Jan 4, 2022 · The Bible consistently emphasizes our need to confess our sins to Him (Psalm 41:4; 130:4; Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. Read full chapter. ” 5 PENANCE: The priest will propose an act of pen-ance. ’. Sep 27, 2023 · Confession is crucial because it encourages us to acknowledge sin for what it is to maintain honesty in our relationship with God and to receive forgiveness, which brings us back into closeness with our Savior. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you. In other words, if I got really angry at you right now, said something Dec 9, 2023 · The meaning of the Greek word here translated "confess" is "to say the same thing as another, i. 1 John 1:9 is a marvelous promise, but we must take its condition seriously: “If we confess our sins…”. An excellent passage is Psalm 51:3-5, where King David admits that he sinned against the Lord. The Lord has made provision that every sin may be overcome (Romans 8:1–4). The word confess implies agreeing with God about how bad our Jun 7, 2024 · First, God is faithful to forgive your sins. Jun 17, 2022 · Confession Heart. God offers total pardon for every sin His children commit IF we confess it to Him. At confession, it is important to be as honest and open with your priest as possible. I know I need to change my behavior and desire to do so Nov 10, 2021 · When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long…. James 4:8 sin purification righteousness. Nov 9, 2022 · Answer. It is the chief fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in and through our lives. If you find that you have allowed yourself to be "inflamed" by lust, confess that to the Lord and 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. " Nov 27, 2023 · Cheating, even small amounts. May 15, 2020 · What Is Love According to the Bible? God is rich in unfailing love to all who love Him, trust Him, confess their sins, experience His forgiveness, and obey Him wholeheartedly. First John 1:9 says that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The relationship between what happened at the cross in the covering of all of our sins and the account we will give for the good and the evil, according to Romans 14, at the last day. So John says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ) To make known or acknowledge, as one's sins to a priest, in order to receive absolution; -- sometimes followed by the reflexive pronoun. Romans 8:1-39 ESV / 3 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. We can go directly to Him in prayer, openly and honestly admitting where we have fallen short (Psalm 32:5, 1 John 1:9). 7. Confessing to another believer is a way to bring things into the light and get help in overcoming sin struggles. 10:9). Mar 4, 2024 · Following the confession of sins, the priest, acting in the person of Christ, offers absolution, pronouncing the words of forgiveness and imparting the reconciling grace of God. If it weighs on your soul, now is the time to let it out in a safe environment. ” Second, we are to confess our sins to other believers. We Confess Our Sin To Who We Hurt. A. Confessing our sins means acknowledging in detail what we have done to transgress God’s law and asking for forgiveness of those sins so our relationship with God can be restored. Mar 8, 2024 · In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells his followers to “confess your sins to one another” ( Matthew 5:16 ). ” ( 1 John 1:8 ). So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of Nov 11, 2022 · We need self-examination to combat the spiritual deception rampant in the world. To be saved from your sin, you must do three things: Ask forgiveness for your sins; be willing to turn from your sins; and believe that Jesus Christ—our 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. That said, nothing is too small for confessional. We don’t need to go through a priest or pastor to confess to God. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If you have a wet dream / nocturnal emission, examine your thought life. If you are unsure what to say, ask the priest for help. published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. When we do, mainstream Christianity believes that our relationship with God is “hindered” or Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Contributing Writer. Oct 8, 2022 · When confessing his sin, David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalms 51:10). 4. James 4. Published Sep 27, 2023. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 5. Salvation. May 21, 2024 · The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). 1 John 1:8-10 ESV / 2 helpful votesHelpfulNot Helpful. days, months, or years] since my last confession. Let’s focus on the concept of And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (Romans 4:5) Forgiveness is the key to a relationship with God. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. There is an old saying that "confession is good for the soul," and humbling oneself with a public confession or confession to another person can be an Jun 1, 2023 · Clearly, the phrase “richly blesses all who call on him” cannot be speaking of salvation, as those who “call” already “believe,” according to verse 14. Journaling for Spiritual Growth. Jul 18, 2021 · There are actually a number of different words in the Bible that are translated “confess” or “confession” in English. “. But we don't confess just to get our failures off our chest. Love is the greatest virtue. " So replacing the word "confess" in the verse with its meaning, gives us this: 1 JOHN 1:9 9 If we (say the same thing as God about) our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. These dictionary topics are from. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful 1 John 1:9. To confess Jesus is to be of one word with Him, to say what He says. In the Old Testament the most important word translated “confess” is the Hebrew word yada which can mean “to praise / give glory,” or “to confess an offence. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. We confess because God promises to both forgive and cleanse those who do (1 John 1:8-9). Colossians 3:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. However, God’s character also includes righteousness, justice, and holiness. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. God’s forgiveness is free. yu dh wg mo zv dv wv ly jm sr