I think most people are familiar with the adage “Confession is good for the soul”.  I attempted to find out the source of the saying and discovered that it is a Scottish proverb, though the complete maxim is, “Open confession is good for the soul”.  It was an interesting search because there are varying opinions on the value or effectiveness of confession; and some people are defensively opposed to it (most opposition comes from those who are not Christians).

I found several other quotes that I like:

“To all nonbelieving, sort-of-believing, and used-to-be-believing friends:  I feel like I should begin with a confession.  I am sorry that so often the biggest obstacle to God has been Christians.” ~Shane Claiborne

 “God removes the sin of the one who makes humble confession, and thereby the devil loses the sovereignty he had gained over the human heart.” ~Saint Bernard

And…

“Forgiveness is always free. But that doesn’t mean that confession is always easy. Sometimes it is hard. Incredibly hard. It is painful to admit our sins and entrust ourselves to God’s care.”  ~Erwin W. Lutzer

My perception of “how to be a Christian” has certainly shifted over the years.  I once felt that I needed to appear religious and give no inkling to the struggles inside—the struggles against the flesh, impatience, anger, broken relationships, a broken heart, to name a few.  The fact remains that no matter how “spiritual” or good I tried to appear, it didn’t solve the problems of my fallen nature.  Trying to be “better” or to “do” Christianity as a façade, is a religion like so many others, it is not saving faith and it is not relationship with God, our Creator and heavenly Father.

But there is no doubt that I am a sinner; I still make mistakes, some are my awkward humanity at work and others are sin.  It is interesting that I can feel more shame about a cake that slides into the front of my shirt and covers me with frosting than a judgmental or discontented attitude!  In fact, overlooking or denying our fallen nature is sin – “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8, 9). 

I have no difficulty admitting to myself that I am a sinner (except when I am in denial about something or figure I can fix the problem on my own).  Transparency, openness about my failures is much more difficult.  Presenting a “got it all together” face to the world, particularly when the frosting on the shirt is all so obvious, though, is essentially denying the sin that still exists in me.

Living with my daughter, who is in the Navy, has given me a rather unconventional perspective on life as a Christian—moving every two to three years, finding a new church family to fellowship with that holds to the same beliefs and Biblical values that we treasure—and then moving again.  It is a blessing to see my daughter and my son, who is in the Air Force, press on in their Christian journeys, seeking Bible-based churches and fellowship wherever their orders send them.  There have been some spiritual deserts, but it does not stop my kids from following Jesus.

There are all kinds of reasons to avoid church or particularly the closeness of a small group fellowship (moving frequently being one of those reasons); but I have seen some amazing things happen when a group of people get together, study the Bible, and share with openness and humility the broken places in their lives—seeking prayer and support.  I am blessed to be in a group (that respects confidentiality) with my daughter, to hear her bare her heart, with no religious façade, knowing that, as Saint Bernard so succinctly stated: “…the devil loses the sovereignty he had gained over the human heart.”

James, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote in his epistle, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16).   As painful as it is “to admit our sins and entrust ourselves to God’s care”, it is even more difficult to entrust our sins and weaknesses to others, who may not so readily forgive.  Yet, there is amazing value in close friendships; scripture teaches, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).  And the apostle Paul counseled, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1, 2).

I realize that James gives us an equation—“confess your trespasses to one another” + “pray for one another” = healing.  I also recognize that it is easy to bemoan my failures and complain about my weaknesses (while commiserating with another who shares my foibles) without adding the dynamic of prayer – I do this all too often.  However, it is Jesus who heals the brokenhearted, frees the captives, and opens prison doors to those who are bound—only He has borne our sorrows, was wounded for our transgressions, and carried our iniquities. 

As we seek Him, loving and supporting one another in the unity of the Spirit, we will begin to experience life in the Body of Christ as He designed it to be.  Such an amazing gift but we don’t always see it that way; no wonder the enemy seeks to cause divisions, unforgiveness, and discord!  Much of what the Holy Spirit teaches through Paul’s epistles has to do with relationships within churches and between individuals.

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” 

(Ephesians 2:19-22)