Why it important to confess our sins in order to receive forgiveness?
In order to answer that question we must understand exactly what it means to confess.
According to the Greek translation to confess or homologeō means to acknowledge but it also means to profess.
To make a confession is to admit to one’s faults but it also means to admit to one’s belief.
To make a profession is to declare or admit openly. This means to state audibly using words.
Now these words have slightly different meanings in English but in the Greek language it literally means “to say it and to speak the same.”
This scripture translated in English says:
‘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
With the Greek word homologeō it is translated in effect as this:
“If we say or speak the same thing that God says about our sins we can be forgiven from our sin and purified from all unrighteousness. “
This is very significant because there are many today who claim to know Jesus as their Savior but they deny him by rejecting what his word has to say about sin.
If one does not confess their sin by admitting that their lifestyle is not lining up with what God says is sin in the Bible then according to the Bible these people are liars and deceivers.
1John 3:9-18
1 John 2:15
Romans 6
John 8:44
1 Timothy 4:1
Revelation 21 :8
2 John 1:10,12
Mathew 7:13,14
In fact some today even reject the absolute authority of scriptures as the infallible word of the living God. They deny God’s word because they are not born again of his word and of his Spirit.
Again scriptures tell us that “if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord you shall be saved.” Roman’s 10:9
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10
Jesus must be confessed as Lord of our lives in order to be considered by his standards a child of God. Not just Savior.
Today we have many who want Jesus to be their Savior but not their Lord but it does not work that way.
If we do not confess what God calls sin as sin in our lives and if we do not receive Jesus Christ as Lord as well as Savior then no salvation will occur.
It does not matter if we go to church, sing worship songs, raise our hands, jump up and down or shout hallelujah. If we do not confess our sins and confess Jesus as both Savior and Lord we can not be saved.
Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Luke 15:21
I acknowledged my sin to you [God], and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32:5
To make a confession is to declare and profess openly and audibly. Why is it important to speak our confession out loud?
First of all what is in the open is in the light. Second of all speaking with the mouth solidifies a confession like an oral contract. Making admission is declaring allegiance. Both to God and before the angels and so the powers of darkness know where you stand.
We in effect come into contract or have declared our lives as belonging to Jesus Christ the Lord.
If you have not confessed your sin to the Lord Jesus Christ or received him as your Lord today then today is the day!
If you hear his voice speaking to your heart then confess your sin before him out loud and turn from the sin, receiving Jesus Christ as both your Savior and Lord.
