CONFESSION EXERCISE

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 NKJV

CONFESS means I agree with God; I say the same words about my sin that He has said.

Try to find an hour alone with God this week where you focus on a personal review and confession.

As you spend time alone with God begin by reflecting on this verse:  Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it. Hebrews 4:16

Ask God to help you remember the sins you committed this past week. Be specific about them. When did you have thoughts or make choices that dishonored Christ? You may want to write them down (this helps you be specific) and when you are finished – shred or destroy what you wrote.

Why do you think you did this? Were you trying to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate or sinful way?

What were the results? Can you imagine the hurt you caused others, or how this broke God’s heart? How did this impact your closeness/fellowship with God?

Remember there’s nothing you can do that will separate you from God’s love and grace. Romans 8:38-39 ESV says:  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

However, sinful actions and attitudes violate the law of love and hurt us and others because sin is always relational.

Matthew 22:37-40 NLT says:  Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Sin doesn’t destroy your relationship with Christ; it damages your fellowship with Him. What does love require of you now? Confess your sins and ask God to help you be more intentional in loving Him and others.

Thank God for His grace, love and mercy, and end your time by reading and reflecting on Psalm 103.

If you want to hear a message about our responsibility in forgiving others go to: www.gfcfamily.com – media – sermon podcast – and search “forgiveness”.

Note: A portion of this was adapted from the Small Group Study Guide on GRACE from WillowCreek Resources