25/2/12
S: James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be saved. For the unremitting prayer of a just person prevails over many things.
O: Although many Evangelical Christians, when reacting against Catholicism, often say that because they have a relationship with God through Christ, they do not need any human mediator -- be it a priest or a saint. Yet, even Evangelical Christians would have to admit that there is something to confessing to other human beings and having other people pray to you.
The Catholic practice of going to confession before partaking of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is reflecting this, as well as the warning in 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 not to partake in an unworthy manner. Many Evangelical Christians also practice confessing their sins (though directly to God and not through a priest for absolution) before Holy Communion.
Aside from the spiritual implications behind confessing to other believers and intercessory prayer, I think that psychologically it also helps us to avoid doing the same bad things the next time around that we have "positive peer pressure" from other believers.
A: We should therefore not keep our sins secret. Expose them to the light by confessing to a trusted friend who can pray for you. As James said, "The unremitting prayer of a just person prevails over many things."
P: Thank You, Father, for Your provision of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
It is politically incorrect to admit "real" sins in the evangelical churches of America (speeding,lying ok, but never the "bad" stuff). But coming through some very significant trials caused by my sin, I would have never overcome those sins without support from fellow Christians. Finding some guys that I could trust and eventually open up to made the difference! Confession makes you vulnerable but it sure does offer freedom!
ReplyDeleteThat's why I said "confessing to a trusted friend who can pray for you". I have some "politically incorrect" sins I do confess to certain trusted friends who can keep me accountable.
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