Call to Confession

 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

—1 John 1:9

In celebration of the Bi-Centennial of the United States of America, John W. Peterson and Don Wyrtzen wrote a musical entitled I Love America. Some of my classically trained musician friends look down their noses at the over 1,000 songs written by Peterson during the span of his life. They consider them “schmaltzy” and not in good taste. I guess I’m just a schmaltzy person, because I really like this particular musical.

I especially like one song “Jesus is Calling America.” The theme of this song is that Jesus is calling the people of the United States to return to their Judeo/Christian roots, confess their sins—both personal and corporate—and create a new birth of reverence for God in our national discourse.

In an age of political correctness and a time when all things Christian are disdained by many of the so-called elite in our society, this idea of a spiritual awakening in America is laughable. But, I am one who still prays every day for a great sweeping revival. (I’ve included a link to this song at the bottom of this blog post.)

You will note that the idea of being called to Confession is not something that is strange and distant for all Christians. Some more liturgically based worship services still have a time of personal and corporate Confession as a part of each regular worship service.

The church that I attend does so. It is a very meaningful time of self-examination and also of recognition that we all sin individually and personally, but we also sin as a corporate body of people, as well.

The Apostle John well knew the importance of Confession. Notice his words, recorded in 1 John 1:9:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus has died for our sins and He has risen from the grave, conquering death and Satan. He has ascended into heaven to take His rightful place at the right hand of God the Father.

Jesus makes intercession for us, continually presenting the shedding of His blood as the sacrifice that pays the penalty for our sins.

But, we also need to confess our sins for our own sakes. We need to own up to what we have done. We need to take responsibility and recognize that it is only through God’s mercy, love, and great grace that we are redeemed children of His.

Let’s remember today to take time to confess what we have done and what we have failed to do. Let’s keep a clear account in our own minds and hearts.

Yes, we are already forgiven. But, for our own peace of mind, we need to confess our sins. We will then have clean minds and hearts. We will be ready to serve God in the most effective way possible.

Here’s the song that I referenced above:

 

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