The BlogThe Official Blog of Crossfire Masters Commission. Visit here often to see what Crossfire MC has been up to, Read Articles by the Staff and Students, Comment on the Blogs and let us know what you think.Tuesday, September 22, 2009Confession & Humility Recently I've been thinking about the idea of confession. I grew up as a child in very tradition Episcopal, and Catholic churches. Confession was something that happened between a person and a priest. As a child I knew there was a God, but it was always a man that told me my sins were forgiven. When I was 19, I heard for the first time that God wanted to have a personal relationship with me. This meant that I didn’t need a man to communicate to God for me, but I could have direct communication with God myself and I thought that was so cool. I could talk to God and share the deepest thoughts, sins, and fears of my heart with Him. This enabled me to confess my sins to God and no one would have to know what they were. It allowed me to maintain an image of righteousness, even if I didn’t live a perfect life. As I grew and matured in my relationship with God, saw a problem with both of these ways of thinking.Confession is not for God. Psalm 94:11 says that "The Lord knows the thoughts of man." When we confess our sins to God, we do not come to tell Him what we have done because he needs to know; God already knows. Confession is not for God. Confession is for us. It is for our humility. Being involved in ministry here at Crossfire and in my travels all over this country with Master’s Commission, there is one thing that shines through in the face of the American church….Pride. Pride in the hearts of congregations who don't answer alter calls or ask for prayer. Pride in the hearts of people who live in fear of other people knowing who they are or what their struggles are. This pride often stems from fear and shame and even guilt, none of which are from God. God did not intend for us to confess our sins to Him alone, but also to one another so that the prayers of faith by the people of God would bring healing (physically, emotionally, & spiritually). James 5:15-16 says, "The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." I encourage you to be the change you want to see in your church. If you find yourself in that place of pride, fear, shame, or guilt; confess your sins to someone. Seek guidance. Seek accountability with people who have a solid relationship with Christ, and remember these words found in Ephesians 4:2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." May God encourage you as you seek Him in confession, and humility; longing to be the church of Christ that confesses to one another, prays for one another, and bears with one another in love. -Audrey posted by Casey Craigie # 11:06:00 PM
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