CONFESSION IS NOT REPENTANCE

1. CONFESSION is precious in the sight of God, “For with the HEART man BELIEVETH unto righteousness; and with the MOUTH CONFESSION is made unto SALVATION” [Romans 10:10] For clarity, there are two sides to CONFESSION and both are crucial to genuine SALVATION; CONFESSION of SIN first, CONFESSION of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour follows and in between, REPENTANCE. John, the Baptist, for example brought many people to CONFESSION of SIN but gave REPENTANCE as assignment for each man to WORK OUT, “And were baptized of him in Jordan, CONFESSING THEIR SINS. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? BRING FORTH THEREFORE FRUITS MEET FOR REPENTANCE” [Matthew 3:6-8] When we have our crusades or church outreach, we are as John calling men to CONFESSION of SIN. Oftentimes, we are in such a hurry to process those who respond into the fold we omit REPENTANCE. When we call men out to repeat prayer of CONFESSION and proclaim such “SAVED” who have not experienced “GODLY SORROW” we betray the TRUTH, “For GODLY SORROW WORKETH REPENTANCE TO SALVATION not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” [2 Corinthians 7:10]

2. CONFESSION of SIN evidence of entry of the LIGHT of the WORD of God into a heart hitherto enveloped in darkness of SIN, as it is written: “The ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS GIVETH LIGHT; it giveth understanding unto the simple” [Psalms 119:130] As the LIGHT pierce through the darkness, our eyes are opened to the mess and consequences of SIN, side-by-side with God’s offer of REDEMPTION, LIBERTY and ETERNAL LIFE in Jesus Christ, “For GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten SON, that whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” [Jonh 3:16] When we CONFESS our SIN, we declare the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God, stepping forward in FAITH to receive FORGIVENESS of SIN through Jesus Christ, “And for this cause he is the mediator of the NEW TESTAMENT, that by means of DEATH, for the REDEMPTION OF THE TRANSGRESSIONS that were under the FIRST TESTAMENT, they which are CALLED might receive the PROMISE of ETERNAL LIFE” [Hebrews 9:15] Under the FIRST TESTAMENT, CONFESSIONS were made and animal offerings made but the people did not attain the PROMISE because the blood of bulls and rams merely covered but had no power to deliver from SIN, “ For it is not possible that the BLOOD OF BULLS and of goats should TAKE AWAY SINS”  [Hebrews 10:4] Take note, the people CONFESSED their SIN,  gave their offerings and went home happy but relapsed into worse iniquities. Does this not sound familiar to our shameful clamour for offerings and sacrifice instead of OBDEDIENCE? 

3. CONFESSION is proof seed was sown, REPENTANCE is FRUIT and confirmation of what was sown, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, that shall HE ALSO REAP” [Galatians 6:7] We preach God manifest in Jesus Christ as received from His Apostles, the WORD and fulness of the GODHEAD made flesh; this is the GOOD SEED, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, ...” [I Timothy3:16] If what we HEARD, genuinely RECEIVED and KEEP is the GOOD SEED, the same enlightens our UNDERSTANDING, bringing to nought all resistance to REPENTANCE, “CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the OBEDIENCE of Christ” [2 Corinthians 10:5] As the scales of SIN are removed, we see our pitiable SINFUL life through the eyes of God and are HUMBLED beyond measure in GODLY SORROW by His GRACE; to this Christ alluded thus, “Blessed are the POOR IN SPIRIT: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that MOURN: for they shall be comforted” [Matthew 5:3-4] To be “POOR IN SPIRIT” and “MOURN” illustrate admission of weakness of SELF in total submission to God’s GRACE. The more we SUBMIT, the more GRACE we receive to REPENT and mature in the likeness of Christ [Ephesians 2:8] As AIR is available to all but must be sucked through the nose to be of use, so is GRACE for REPENTANCE as we SUBMIT, ABIDE in and OBEY Christ.

4. CONFESSION IS NOT REPENTANCE and must be so taught and understood to raise, prepare and make ready, “... a GLORIOUS CHURCH, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” [Ephesians 5:27] Why do we hide the TRUTH and rejoice in flocks of professional “CONFESSORS”, unpurged and always struggling with SIN, “... led away with divers lusts, EVER LEARNIG, and NEVER ABLE TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH” [2 Timothy 3:6-7] PRAYER and FASTING cannot replace REPENTANCE, TITHES and OFFERINGS will not suffice; SALVATION is served on the platter of REPENTANCE “And ye shall KNOW THE TRUTH, and the TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE” [John 8:32] I speak in love, what do we stand to gain with stale bread of material prosperity, when we know it is an exercise n vanity, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, and LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?” [Mark 8:36] I charge who handle the GOSPEL of which I am one to call all men to REPENTANCE and renounce all “... DISHONESTY, not walking in CRAFTINESS, nor handling the word of God DECEITFULLY; but by manifestation of the TRUTH commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” [2 Corinthians 4:2] The appearance of Christ is imminent, REPENT and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, amen