If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame” Romans 10:9-11
Study Guide
Confession is all about saying what God says about you, your life, a truth or a situation. So there are several types of confession. The one most people are familiar withis the type where you tell your sins, faults or failures to another person or to God. The other type is a positive confession where we speak t a truth that we believe or trust in. I confess my sins to God as He reveals them to me and I confess that I believe in His love for me. In both situations I’m really just agreeing with what God already said. Although some might lean more toward the positive type we need to realize they are BOTH positive. At the end of Psalm 139 the psalmist prayed a prayer that was certainly followed by confession. Search me oh God and know my heart, try me and see if there is any wickedness in me and lead me in the way everlasting. The psalmist WANTED to confess things that God saw as contrary to His will. He wanted to do this to stay in a close relationship with the Lord. As you read the scriptures to think about, remember He is for you and wants you to be close to Him.
Verses to Think About
The first scripture for you to read (remember you can click on the Bible in the Additional Resources section)is 1 John 1:8-10. After you have read it answer these questions slowly and thoughtfully. Remember as you read that you can, and should, always stop and debrief your thoughts and feelings with God as you think through them.
It might make sense that Gos is faithful to forgive our sins, meaning He always does when we are sincere and have a heart to change, but that He is JUST in forgiving us??? How can God be just in forgiving you? (Doesn’t justice require punishment, revenge, retribution?). Don’t get me wrong, it does require those things but He also IS being just when He forgives you.
It also says He cleanses us. How does it make you feel to know you are forgiven AND cleansed when you confess your sins to God?
Read Romans 10:9-11.
What does this verse say to confess?
What are the other things connected with confession in this verse?
Did you notice that verse 11 connects the word “trust” with the word confess? Why do you think trust is important when confessing?
Response
So far we have seen that God knows us, loves us and thinks tons of wonderful things about us. We know also that He is just in forgiving us, He cleanses us when we confess and that He is faithful to do it. What things do you have in your life that you haven’t confessed? Why haven’t you? The Bible says in Matthew 5:7that the merciful are blessed and shall als obtain mercy (what we are truly seeking when we confess). It also says that IF we forgive others their trespasses then God will forgive ours but if we refuse to forgive the sins of others He will refuse to forgive ours. Read this passage and the parable Jesus used to teach the lesson in Matthew 6:14-15 & Matthew 18:21-35.
Take a few moments, as long as it takes, and forgive those who have wronged you. It may be helpful to write down a list first. Remember this isn’t about the words but a genuine release of the person from any thoughts of judgement, revenge or ill will in your heart. Then take some time to actually pray a blessing on their life. God will honor your righteousness and obedience. This is a good topic to work through with a trusted friend and mentor.
