Confession of Sin

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 22, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 43.

Confession of Sin

O how many there are who are not ashamed to sin, but are ashamed to confess their sin, even when their sin is known and manifest to all around them. They say by this attitude that they love the sin rather than the purity that separation from it means; that they prefer the disease to its healing; that they prefer the horrible, eating, discharging ulcer to the whole healthy flesh. There are many who wish to live a righteous life, but desire to make no confession of sin, no acknowledgement of a wrong course, pursued before many, and in which some have stumbled. Pride and false shame hold them back. They ought to be ashamed not to do it. Confession, true confession, is separation from sin. It is saying that the evil has been cast out; that the wicked partnership has terminated; that henceforth sin and ourselves go different ways. What blessing comes to the individual and to other souls by such noble, heart-felt, whole-hearted confession. David said: “When I kept silence my bones wasted away;” but “I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity did I not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto Jehovah; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Ps. 32:3-5. The confession of all sins should be made unto God; all sins of which He alone is cognizant into His ear alone. Sins involving others and before others should be acknowledged before them lest they stumble. He who truly confesses and forsakes his sin shall find meeting him in all its cleansing, healing power, God’s fulness of mercy.