Confession by E. M. WARREN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 7, 1871

Confession.

By E. M. WARREN

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

Dear brethren and sisters, if we renounce sin and determine to lead pure lives, let us make thorough work by confessing all to God, and to man, so far as it has affected them in any way, publicly, privately, or personally; confess great sins, small sins, and all sin; confess heartily as though we hated it and meant to put every vestige of it, from us. Have we done so? If so, what means this dearth of mind? this want of the favor of God? this constant inclination to do wrong? this absence of spirituality? Is it not the result of this proud spirit, that holds back the confession of our wrong?

Not ashamed to sin, but ashamed to confess! How can God give you his smiles until you are willing to acknowledge you have dishonored him? How can he love you when you are so full of self-love? You think it will bring you down so low in the eyes of others. What if it does, if God loves you? But it will not; for nothing will so endear you to your brethren as a humble, thorough

confession of your faults. “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

But let the thoughts of self die. Think how you have dishonored God, and abused his love, and provoked his wrath. When we have a right view of sin, we shall want to confess it. But shall we ever get into Heaven with this willful self-love? Shall we ever join the blood-washed throng? No. We may come up to the Judgment with our sins unconfessed, but then it will be too late. The cleansing comes after the confession. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We want to be cleansed from all unrighteousness. We feel the galling yoke of sin, and long for that purity of heart and life that will make us truly the children of God, and fit us to stand the test of the Judgment that is just before us. Then let us freely and fully confess. With what love must our Heavenly Father look upon that one who is willing, yes, anxious, to own every wrong and put it all away! How he takes them to his bosom and enriches them with the peace that passeth all understanding!

“Rivers of love from God’s own throne Shall constantly supply, And angel pinions hover near, To waft that soul on high.”

The writer can say by experience, It is blessed to confess. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13.

E. M. WARREN.