Confession and Forgiveness.—In the words above are expressed a twofold privilege, the former not less than the latter, because essential to the latter. Both thoughts are contained in the following precious text: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
Confession means more than mere words. It means more than mere assent; it takes in the idea of covenant, coming together. Confession to God would be coming together with God. God declares in his Word; we lay ourselves upon that Word; with God we come together upon it. What the Lord says is sin, we acknowledge to be sin, and cast it from us. This is one of the meanings of the Hebrew word “confess,” to throw or cast from. Confession, therefore, means separation from the sin, as far as man can separate himself. He renounces the sin, he repudiates it, in harmony with God’s Word.
David has sinned. His sin has brought evil upon his people and upon Jerusalem. Weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, he is found wanting; and the angel with the sword of justice is ready to smite. Evil, strife, and sorrow exist because of his sin. But the king of Israel, taking all the guilt upon himself, bows in abject humility before God, the strings of his harp unwept, acknowledges his sin, and commits himself to the justice of God, and pleads only God’s mercy. God hears his prayer. Read 1 Chronicles 21 and Psalm 32.
Contrition.—With true confession of sin is connected contrition, or brokenness of heart. As the sin permeates the man, even to every fiber of his being, so when man repudiates the sin, it brings brokenness of soul and sorrow of heart. He sees by the enlightenment of God’s Word how sinful sin is, and how fully he has been identified with it. It has become a part of his very being. It interlaces and intertwines the whole man, and the separation brings agony of soul. He does not see the enormity of other’s sins; he does not compare his with theirs. Like David of old when he sees the angel of the Lord weighing character and destroying the ungodly, he declares: “It is I that have sinned and done evil indeed.” “I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing.” There is no excuse for his sin. As on another occasion: “I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Read the whole of Psalm 51. “Neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Ps. 38:3, 4. There is no excusing of self, no attempted justification of his sin, no extenuation of his wrong-doing. He tells it all to God in brokenness and contrition of heart.
Confession and Mercy.—He pleads for mercy. He acknowledges God’s right to render justice. Nay, more, he will so acknowledge his sin that his confession should justify God. Whatever God’s sentence against him might be, he would acknowledge his own wrong and God’s justice. Ps. 51:4. But the same Spirit which shows him his sin also reveals God’s mercy. And therefore, while not excusing himself, he pleads that God may be glorified by the exercise of his goodness. Like the publican will the penitent soul plead, “God be merciful to me, the sinner.” Like David, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” This is true confession, the hearty and specific acknowledgment of sin, and the pleading of God’s mercy alone. “I acknowledged my sin2unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.” Not into man’s ears are we to pour the confession of our sins against God, but to God alone. Of course this does not mean that we have no confessions to make to men, or to the public. If we have trespassed against our brother, we are to go to him and confess our wrong. If we have by our example brought reproach upon God by a wrong course, we should seek to place ourselves unequivocally on the right side before all.
A Privilege.—True and proper confession should be deemed a privilege; for it is a declaration that we have separated from sin, no longer identified with it. But Satan has so deceived the greater part of mankind that, while not ashamed to sin, they are ashamed to confess their sin. But why should we be ashamed to say that we have been wrong when we know it and others know it? Is it not a privilege to say that we have separated from sin, that we are no longer in harmony with it, that henceforth we walk a better way, and under a better Leader? Surely such confession should be a privilege, and would be so considered if we saw sin and mercy in their true light.
Forgiveness.—Unto “the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, tho we have rebelled against him.” “I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Whatever man may think of us, these are the thoughts that God thinks of us, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil.” The above scriptures express God’s purpose, God’s pleasure, God’s mercy in Christ Jesus toward every one. Is it not a blessed privilege to claim such forgiveness?
He Will Not Compel.—But God will not force his pardon, peace, forgiveness, upon us. It is granted to those who truly confess; and only those truly confess who with all the heart renounce sin and cast themselves upon God. Only such really want forgiveness. Others want the penalty removed; they do not wish to suffer for the sin; but they wish the sin to remain. God will not compel them to give up the sin.3He will plead with us by all the love to which the ages bear witness, but he can not compel us to accept of his love. Love must win. He will reveal the terribleness, the end of sin, to awaken and alarm us, but we must open our hearts to the pure, powerful, all-pervading principle of love, or forgiveness will not come in, however much God desires it.
What It Means.—“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He takes away the sin. He counts us as tho we had never sinned. More, he gives us of his own perfect righteousness in Christ Jesus. He counts us as tho we had lived Christ’s life in all the past. This is God’s forgiveness, which he has purchased, sinner, for every soul. Will you not accept it? Tho your sins be as mountains, his grace is all-sufficient. He will abundantly pardon you; will not you accept of the pardon?
