If we confess (to agree with what God says) our sins (wrongs) He (God) is faithful (trusty) and just (righteous) and will forgive (to send away) our sins and purify (to free from the guilt of sin) us from all (each and every) unrighteousness (which includes a deed(s) that violate law and justice).   The problem with unconfessed sin is that it breaks fellowship with the Lord.  When we as believers, take the time to agree with God that what we have done (or not done), or thought, was wrong then God who is trusty (I like that word) WILL send away our guilt and restore us into fellowship with Him once again.

You might be thinking – Jesus paid for my sins once and for all and when I accepted His offer of salvation the debt of my sin was paid in full, and you would be correct.  So you ask, why do I have to confess sins now?  I would ask you to think about what we experience in our familiar earthly relationships.

When we have a friend whom we have hurt by our words or actions and we care enough to ask for forgiveness, most of the time, our relationship that had been strained is restored. That doesn’t mean that we stopped being friends, but our relationship definitely was affected for a period of time.

How about our kids, parents?  How quickly do we forgive our kids when they come to us repentant of the wrong they have done.  Our relationship is restored.  We didn’t stop loving them during that time of sin, right?  Jesus’ payment for our sins doesn’t stop it’s work in our life.  We are still children of God, but the relationship is affected when we are disobedient.

The Bible tells a perfect story about the sin of a son and the forgiveness of a father in Luke 15:11-32. which is the Parable of the Lost Son or you may know it as the Prodigal Son.  The story shows us an established relationship between a father and the son.  We know there had been a relationship because their was an inheritance that had already distributed, and spent, and the father didn’t ask for it back.  The blessing of that relationship remained  just like the assurance of our salvation remains. The father and son didn’t stop being related, but their relationship was strained, they were separated physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Until one day, the boy came to the end of himself, confessed his sin, and his father forgave the sin that caused the problem.  After the confession there was harmony again, actually singing and celebrating! To be sure this dad (who represents God) made sure that the dirty filthy boy (that is us, at times) had a good hot bath before he handed out clean clothes (restoration) and fed the son dinner (celebration).

As I walked through nearby town of Hastings, MI last night.  I saw this fountain. For me it was a picture to me of God’s never ending ability and desire to wash away the continual sin that hinders my relationship with Him.  God is always ready (like the water continues to pour from the fountain) to send away  my sin (like the water sends away the dirt.)  My response and part of this relationship is to be humble, and ready to confess.  To step into the water and let God do His work on me.

P.S. Did you know that confession was actually a spiritual discipline?  Yes, we can practice and grow in being quicker to confess, more aware of God’s Holiness and our sin, and more sensitive to God’s will and what He has asked of us.