“I went over to see my next-door neighbor last night. I told him I had not been totally honest with him about something.”
“You?” I replied. “Not totally honest?”
“Yes,” Stan responded. “Sorry to have to admit that to you, but I needed to confess to my neighbor that I had told him something that was not totally accurate and that I knew it wasn’t accurate when I said it.”
“How did he respond to that?” I asked.
“He thanked me and said he had wondered about what I had said. He didn’t say it, but it was pretty obvious to me that he was also wondering about me. He indicated that my confession really cleared up the matter.”
Continuing, Stan said, “But what was really important for me is that it made me feel so much better to admit I had been dishonest in what I had said. And the whole process makes it real clear to me that I have to be totally honest in everything I say, as well as in everything I do.”
“So you benefited from the confession?” I asked.
“Sure did,” Stan replied.
“Just like when I confess to God,” Stan continued. God already knows the truth of what I have said or done. And Christ, the Son of God, has already paid the price for all of my sins, but my confession clears the air between me and God. It eliminates all that is in the way of my total and honest relationship with Him.”
Continuing, he added, “Just as my confession to my neighbor opened the way to a better relationship with him, my confession to God opens the way to an ever-deepening relationship with Him.”
“The obvious step I need to take after confession, whether it is with a person or with God, is that of repentance. Confession without repentance will just lead to the need for more confession, but that is another subject for another day.”
_____________________________________
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. James 5:16.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your provision of healing through my confession. You provide that healing not only in my relationship with you, but in all of my relationships on this side of eternity, and I thank you. It is clear that you already know everything I need to confess. Please help me in acknowledging the foolishness of trying to hide anything from you. I ask you to lead and to help me to follow in taking every step that is needed for my total and honest confession so the air will be cleared and I will be able to proceed with ever-deepening relationships with you and with each person just as you intend. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 