Repentance NO RIGHTEOUSNESS BY CONFESSION
He hat covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov. 28:13.
One of the first steps in coming into a meaningful relationship with God is to admit that we are sinners, to admit that we have a sinful nature, and that, apart from Christ, that sinful nature is going to control us. Until we face our problem, we will not realize our need of Christ. We must recognize that we are sinners by nature. Whether we are lying, cheating, or stealing is beside the point. When we see our need and come to Christ, He gives us repentance. It is only when we have accepted this gift of repentance that confession can be genuine.
Notice what is necessary to precede genuine confession: "If we have not experienced that repentance which is not to be repented of, and have not with true humiliation of soul and brokenness of spirit confessed our sins, abhorring our iniquity, we have never truly sought for forgiveness of sin; and if we have never sought, we have never found the peace of God."--Steps to Christ, p. 38. It is important to understand that repentance precedes confession. Repentance comes after we have come to Christ, not before. And confession follows repentance. This is one of the reasons why so many people have problems with confession. We have gotten the idea that confession is the way to get to Christ, or that we get repentance by confession.
Have you ever had the idea that there is a certain merit in confession? Have you ever felt that if you were sure to have all your sins confessed every night before you went to bed, you would be sure of salvation? There is no such thing as "righteousness by confession"! It is pointless to try to confess if you haven't repented, because you will end up with confession as a system of merit, a way to try to work your way into God's favor. Confession comes as a result of genuine sorrow for sin. It is not the cause (Steps to Christ, p. 39).
Confession includes two aspects. It is not merely a listing of our specific shortcomings and mistakes and failures. Genuine confession also acknowledges our continuing condition as sinners, and in brokenness of spirit admits our need of Christ and our dependence upon Him.
He hat covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov. 28:13.
One of the first steps in coming into a meaningful relationship with God is to admit that we are sinners, to admit that we have a sinful nature, and that, apart from Christ, that sinful nature is going to control us. Until we face our problem, we will not realize our need of Christ. We must recognize that we are sinners by nature. Whether we are lying, cheating, or stealing is beside the point. When we see our need and come to Christ, He gives us repentance. It is only when we have accepted this gift of repentance that confession can be genuine.
Notice what is necessary to precede genuine confession: "If we have not experienced that repentance which is not to be repented of, and have not with true humiliation of soul and brokenness of spirit confessed our sins, abhorring our iniquity, we have never truly sought for forgiveness of sin; and if we have never sought, we have never found the peace of God."--Steps to Christ, p. 38. It is important to understand that repentance precedes confession. Repentance comes after we have come to Christ, not before. And confession follows repentance. This is one of the reasons why so many people have problems with confession. We have gotten the idea that confession is the way to get to Christ, or that we get repentance by confession.
Have you ever had the idea that there is a certain merit in confession? Have you ever felt that if you were sure to have all your sins confessed every night before you went to bed, you would be sure of salvation? There is no such thing as "righteousness by confession"! It is pointless to try to confess if you haven't repented, because you will end up with confession as a system of merit, a way to try to work your way into God's favor. Confession comes as a result of genuine sorrow for sin. It is not the cause (Steps to Christ, p. 39).
Confession includes two aspects. It is not merely a listing of our specific shortcomings and mistakes and failures. Genuine confession also acknowledges our continuing condition as sinners, and in brokenness of spirit admits our need of Christ and our dependence upon Him.
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