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Wednesday, Jan 4
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DEVOTIONAL: “GROWTH THROUGH CONFESSION”
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Yesterday, we took time to “empty” ourselves of our selfishness – self-interest, self-preservation, self-assuredness – through the act of surrendering. Today, we want to take this thought a step further.
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If you follow Jesus, ALL of your sins (past, present, & future) have been forgiven through the willing sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. However, this doesn’t mean you should think shallowly of the moments you sin, whether in action, word, or thought. After all, the Apostle Paul told the Jesus-followers in Rome:
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“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2, ESV)
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So even though your sin is already forgiven, it is wise for you to confess your sin, acknowledging your desire to not “live in it.”
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If you keep a tree sapling in a cold dark room, you won’t see growth. You might see mold grow! But not the tree itself. You have to bring the tree out of the cold and dark, and put it in the warm light where it can begin to grow into the tree it is meant to be.
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If you are going to see “Gospel Growth in Me,” you have to concede that you are a saint who still struggles with sin. The good news is that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
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So bring your sin into the light through the act of confession. Let it be exposed before your loving Heavenly Father, so that He can begin and continue to grow you into the image of His Son.
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O Gracious Heavenly Father, I confess my sin to you right now. You already know what it is, but I want to let you know that I also know what my sins are.
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So, Father I confess to you…
(Spend some time confessing your sins, including sins of action, inaction, attitude, and thought.)
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Father, thank you for your love, grace, and forgiveness. Help me to live life out of an identity as a forgiven saint rather than an identity of a needy, selfish sinner. Help me to believe and know I don’t have to sin because my sin was paid by Jesus through the cross, and you offer me a life that is so much better than one I could find through my sin.
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Feel free to open your Notes app to write down a thought or two from today's reading or write out your own prayer.
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If God lays it on your heart, confess your sin to a fellow Jesus-follower
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