CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS by M. E. Steward

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, March 4, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 10

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS.

By M. E. Steward

BY MRS. M. E. STEWARD.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” 1 John 1:9. Confession is here made a condition of forgiveness; but how many take extreme views on this point, and consequently abide continually under a cloud. This was the experience of the writer, for many years. Fearing hypocrisy, I would, in social meetings even, confess passing thoughts and feelings which I supposed revealed my evil propensities. There are times, of course, when our faults should be spoken of, and “the plaster should always be as large as the sore;” but what use in making it much larger? Why inform the public of sins against individuals (to whom we should ever humbly and faithfully confess), thus putting a weapon into the hands of the enemies of the truth? Such a course only proclaims our dishonor of Him whom it is our duty to glorify in our body and in our spirit, which are God’s. 1 Cor. 6:20.

We should be careful how we take extreme views of Bible requirements. If we will pray in faith for a sanctified judgment, and then use it instead of being led by impressions alone, shall we not be less likely to bring darkness into meetings by uncalled-for confessions? How much stronger in God we might become, and how much better fruit would our testimonies bear, should we pass out of the former part of the above text, having been faithful in confessing our sins, and rest in the latter part of it,—forgiveness. How touchingly kind—what a help to our faith—the words of the apostle, God is “faithful and just to forgive.” If it be our duty to confess, is it not just as much our duty to believe that God forgives? Precious freedom wherewith Christ makes us free.

Dear brethren and sisters, how much honor have we when truly brought to Jesus by declaring our liberty through his merits, rejoicing in his gift of innocence! This is not only his due, but our sweet privilege; and while we realize what the dear Saviour is to us, we love and prize him as we could not before. Jesus invites us (Matt. 11:28,) “Come unto me, . . . and I will give you rest.”

“Rest in Jesus’ smiles—forgiven.”

With such an abiding place, how carefully must we live to never grieve Him who saves us.