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Salvation

Doctrine #39: Confess

Doctrine #39 Read

When you realize you have done the wrong thing, when you hurt someone you love, lie, steal, or abuse someone with your words, does your heart sink?

Are you happy because you now have an opportunity to humble yourself?

Overview

Confession is the admission by the individual of what he/she did that was wrong. It ought to have three parts: "I know WHAT (specifically stated) I did that was wrong", "I know WHY I did it", "I don't want to do it again". Confession is a SAY. Apologies are only an admission of how the individual feels. There are no apologies in the Bible.

Discussion Question

Do you believe apology and confession are the same thing?

Scripture

Leviticus 5:4-6

Chapter

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4Or if any one swear rashly with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall utter rashly with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these things.

5And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that wherein he hath sinned: 6and he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him as concerning his sin.

4Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

5And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing:

6And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.

Commentary

The Jews were instructed by God in the Law to confess the sin when one knows the cause. The sin-offering was proof one didn't want to do it again. The confession was tied with bringing a value! Do you see the value in your confession?

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-19

This chapter continued the theme of chapters 4-7 which covered mandatory offerings concerned with offenses towards man.

Commentary · verses 1-13

Verses 1-13: Specific occasions requiring the sin offering.

Commentary · verse 4

God identified specific sins: not testifying, touching an unclean animal, touching an unclean human, not fulfilling their vow.

Commentary · verses 5-13

Verses 5-13: How to make the sin offering.

Leviticus 26:40-42

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40And they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they trespassed against me, and also that, because they walked contrary unto me, 41I also walked contrary unto them, and brought them into the land of their enemies: if then their uncircumcised heart be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity; 42then will I remember my covenant with Jacob; and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.

40If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;

41And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

42Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.

Commentary

Being willing to accept the punishment of sin was proof the individual fully confessed.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-46

This chapter covered blessings and curses.

Commentary · verses 40-46

Verses 40-46: the blessings of repentance.

Job 6:24-26

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24Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?

26Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?

24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

Commentary

Job wanted to confess, but he didn't know what he did that was specifically wrong, and his friends' words were desperate as the wind. Job understood the importance of words.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 15-26

Job had not complained. Job wanted understanding (vs. 24: "Teach me...cause me to understand wherein I have erred."). Job stated that right words were powerful, yet Eliphaz's words were as desperate as the wind.

Job 13:20-23

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20Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face: 21Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.

22Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

23How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

20Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.

21Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.

22Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.

23How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.

Commentary

Job got so frustrated, he ignored his friends and spoke to God. He asked for two things: not to have fear and to know the quantity and quality of his sins so he could confess. Job couldn't just say "I'm sorry" and not specify what he was confessing.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-28

Job continued to speak during the Second Round, with a different tone.

Commentary · verses 19-23

Job wanted to talk with God, face to face, without fear. If Job did cause this, he wanted to know HOW.

1 John 1:8-10

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8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

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

10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Commentary

Confession leads to forgiveness and cleansing from sin. The difference between deception and truth is in the HOW/WHY. If we believe we have no sin, then we are in no need of God's Righteousness; we actually deny that He is Right, and call Him a liar.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 6-10

Verses 6-10: each "if"/then statements.

Commentary · verse 8

Saying we have no sin was deception. This was the right WHAT but with the wrong HOW/WHY. The wrong HOW/WHY behind having no sin was doing it in our own strength. This was the Law: "I won't do this, that, etc." The right HOW/WHY behind having no sin was being in fellowship with God (by grace through faith). These were principles, things we ought to focus on, not things we do not do. A person truly in fellowship with God would not say "I have no sin." Truth was the measurement. Notice, Salvation is not based on never sinning. We have all sinned, yet people do receive Salvation. Salvation must depend on something more...

Commentary · verse 9

God will forgive us of our sin if we confess because:

  1. He is faithful - God believes something He cannot see and something that has not happened yet (God cannot go ahead in time). God's faith in us is increased with every interaction. He understands us and experiences us more with every interaction, whether we do good or bad.

  2. He is Just - Jesus' Blood gave God infinite value. When we confess (which is a value to God) He is Just to give us access to this value.

Salvation depends on us confessing our sins. This verse didn't mean we confess one time and God cleanses us from all unrighteousness, even unrighteousness we haven't done yet. This meant God will cleanse us from the unrighteousness we confess. Confessing our sins removes unrighteousness. This point will be expanded upon after the next verse...

Commentary · verse 10

Saying we have not sinned was like saying "I have never been wrong." Saying this was pride. The effect of saying this was stating God was a liar (which we know is impossible). Saying this meant God's Word (truth) was not in us.

Taking verses 8-10 together revealed a powerful Doctrine concerning Salvation. Our Salvation does not depend on not sinning. If it did, no one would be saved, because we have all sinned (verse 8). In fact, if you even SAY you have not sinned (verse 10), God's Word is not in you, and you are not saved.

Our Salvation depends on our response to our sin.

If we justify ourselves (verses 8 and 10), then we are not saved. If we respond to our sin by confessing, then God cleanses us from all unrighteousness (verse 9).

We are saved because of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross and our responsibility is to respond to our sins with confession and repentance.

Theme of Chapter 1: God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all. God lacks contradiction. If we have a contradiction in what we SAY and DO, then we are the source of the contradiction, not God.

Romans 10:8-10

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8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: 9because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 10for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Commentary

Confession in a positive fashion can lead to salvation. Confession is made with the mouth, and it is a SAY. The ultimate SAY is saying Jesus died on the cross to save us from eternal separation from Him, however we cannot stop at saying.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 6-8

Paul referenced Deuteronomy 30:12-14, however, he gave an interpretation of two parts of the scripture in parentheses in verses 6 and 7. The end of the referenced scripture was the first half of verse 8: "...and in thy heart:" Paul then directly gave his interpretation of the third part: The word that Moses spoke of in the believer's mouth and in the heart (because it came out in actions) was the word of faith Paul was writing about. Why?

Commentary · verse 9

Paul stated that if we allowed the influence from the Holy Spirit through our spirit to come through our hearts (verse 8) when it came out in our actions (verse 9) we would be saved. Again, doing the Law would cause a person to accept Jesus as the Messiah.

Commentary · verse 10

Doctrine: Salvation - a choice that resulted in belief in the heart (DO, actions) and confession with the mouth (SAY, words). Notice, the person's DO and SAY would be consistent. This was Paul's premise.

Philippians 2:9-11

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9Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Commentary

Everyone will confess Jesus is Lord, but it won't result in salvation because it will be belief when we all see Him. Seeing Jesus will be based on experience, and it will be a fact. Remember, the devil and the demons believe in Jesus because they see Him, and their response is to shudder.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verse 9

Doctrine: When you are humble, you will be exalted. When you exalt yourself, you will be humbled. Christ's ultimate obedience to the Father (going from divine to dying on the cross) caused God to highly exalt Christ.

Commentary · verses 10-11

Christ is exalted so highly that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Everyone will be humble, it is up to you HOW this happens. You can humble yourself internally through understanding or you will be humbled externally through experience.

1 Timothy 4:1-3

Chapter

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1But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; 3forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.

1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Commentary

These people can't feel guilt because their conscience is branded over. Once their conscience is seared they can't go to heaven. Remember in Doctrine #38: Sin, we learned that it is not always a sin to eat meat sacrificed to idols, but these hypocrites will command people to abstain from meats and forbid others to marry. The hypocrites focus on the outside, the WHAT, and not the inside, the causes, the heart, the HOW/WHY.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verse 1

The Spirit spoke expressly that in the end times, some shall depart from the faith. The falling away will come from within the church, people forfeiting their Salvation. Notice, central to this falling away will be doctrines of demons: doctrines that are not God's non-contradictory Biblical Doctrines.

Commentary · verse 2

If these people state that they are following God's Doctrines, but they cannot support it with the Bible...and they continue to justify themselves instead of considering they are wrong, they will become hypocrites. Jesus said hypocrites go to hell: Matthew 24:51. Notice, continuing to justify one's self in this error while holding others to a higher standard (hypocrisy) would lead to these people having their consciences seared over. These people will eventually be unable to feel guilt or the conviction from the Holy Spirit. People who are unable to feel conviction to the extent they confess and repent are people who have prevented themselves from receiving Salvation.

Commentary · verse 3

These people will place laws on others. Notice the two Doctrines that become corrupted: Marriage and dietary.

Jeremiah 51:5-9

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5For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah, of his God, of Jehovah of hosts; though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.

6Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life; be not cut off in her iniquity: for it is the time of Jehovah’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense.

7Babylon hath been a golden cup in Jehovah’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

8Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

9We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country; for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.

5For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.

6Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.

7Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

8Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

9We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.

Commentary

Sin leads to guilt, guilt leads to pain, pain leads to fear. In this passage, Israel and Judah were not forsaken (they had hope) because their consciences had not been seared over: they still felt guilt.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 4-5

Israel and Judah were still God's people.

Commentary · verses 6-8

Verses 6-8: referred to the future destruction of Babylon mentioned in Revelation 16-19.

Commentary · verses 9-18

Verses 9-18: referred to the immediate destruction of Babylon.

Job 15:20-24

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20The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, Even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.

21A sound of terrors is in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

22He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, And he is waited for of the sword.

23He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? He knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.

24Distress and anguish make him afraid; They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

20The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.

21A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

22He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.

23He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.

24Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

Commentary

The sinful have pain that leads to fear. The wicked man is sinful and he will carry pain all his days. A sound of terrors is in his ears, and distress and anguish make him afraid: fear.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-35

Like during the First Round, Eliphaz began the Second Round.

Commentary · verses 14-25

Again, Eliphaz accused Job of turning against God.

Psalm 25:17-18

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17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: Oh bring thou me out of my distresses.

18Consider mine affliction and my travail; And forgive all my sins.

17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

Commentary

David felt pain over the troubles of his heart. He asked God to consider (to see or look) at his affliction and pain. This caused him to ask for forgiveness.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 15-22

This psalm read like a prayer.

Isaiah 13:7-9

Chapter

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7Therefore shall all hands be feeble, and every heart of man shall melt: 8and they shall be dismayed; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman in travail: they shall look in amazement one at another; their faces shall be faces of flame.

9Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

7Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt:

8And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

9Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Commentary

God is willing to be cruel, wrathful, angry, and even destroy in the short term in order to create in the long term. God has given us pain so that we can turn away from it and realize the severity of our actions. If we do not choose to respond to the pain we feel, God will start to bring us towards fear of loss. God desires that we grow, and He will continue to break us in the short term, in order that we choose Him in the long term.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 6-8

A description of the effects of judgment associated with the physical day of Jehovah, also known as the "Day of the Lord."

There were two "days of the Lord/Jehovah":

  • One was a spiritual day that will occur at the end of our current dispensation (6th) with the Rapture of the Church.
  • The second "day of Jehovah" was a physical day that will occur at the end of the dispensation of the Law (5th), which is at the end of the Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennium.

Commentary · verse 9

Sinners and the land will be destroyed during this judgment that ends the Tribulation.

Luke 15:11-21

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11And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.

14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.

15And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!

18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: 19I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son.

11And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Commentary

The prodigal felt pain. Then, even after the father took him back, the prodigal stated he had sinned and accepted his punishment. The son even rehearsed what he would say to the father. Do you rehearse your confessions to God? The father could tell the son meant the confession by seeing him afar off; the way he was walking moved the father with compassion.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 11-32

Verses 11-32: the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Commentary · verse 12

The younger son took his inheritance.

Commentary · verse 13

He wasted his inheritance "with riotous living"...focusing on the physical.

Commentary · verse 16

Remember, the Jews considered swine to be an unclean animal. This was as low as a person could get: wanting the food intended for an unclean animal, and not being able to have it.

Commentary · verse 17

The younger son realized he would be better off as one of his father's servants than to die with hunger. He believed he deserved this role because he was his father's son, a spiritual reason.

Commentary · verse 19

He realized he had to deal with a spiritual issue in order to obtain this role as servant. Verse 18 was his confession. Verse 19 was his repentance, what he would do to make up for his sin.

Commentary · verse 20

The younger son went to his father but when he was still far away, his father saw him. His father must have been watching for him. Also, the father must have been able to see the youngest son's humble attitude from a distance because the father had compassion before the son spoke. Notice, the youngest son was not coming back proud as if he was better off. The youngest son was so humble it showed in how he came back.

Commentary · verse 21

The father first showed compassion. The younger son could have acted like everything was fine. However, the younger son chose to continue to humble himself, confess his sin, and repent. The younger son truly had a change of heart.

Closing Thoughts

We have learned that confession is a SAY. A SAY is a Right WHAT. What is the definition of deception? What is the definition of truth? What is the definition of hypocrisy?

So, is confession truth?

We will put it together in the next Doctrine

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