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Confession: An Old Principle Revisited

Originally written on July 24, 2005

On Tuesday The Oprah Winfrey Show aired an episode devoted to people who had suffered tremendous loss at the hands of other individuals. These parties were brought together under the pressure of extreme emotional scaring and anger. When these individuals were in front of each other they were asked to retell their side of the story, recall all of their feelings, admit their wrong doing, and ultimately ask for forgiveness from the individual that they had harmed.

This so-called new approach has been labeled as "restorative justice." Oprah called it a radical new approach to emotional healing and was in awe at the success people found who took part in the exercise. What was not brought to the light was the fact that this approach is radical, but it is by no means new.

In the New Testament James understood this principle very well. In James 5:16 he states "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed." (HCSB)

Confession does more than relieve our own heart of guilt, though it does that as well. Confession brings the truth into the light. This works because we live in a world that was created and governed by a God who is truth and delights in truth. When we confess our sins to one another we identify ourselves with Christ, making a firm proclamation to the world that the gospel of Jesus Christ is alive and well.

We as Christians much set the bench mark for such practices and not merely because Oprah has discovered it, but because our God designed it and commands it. Oprah has turned to confession for her own sake and healing. It is a good idea, but it is not new. Now might be a good time for us to confess that we have neglected our responsibility to uphold biblical commands- starting with confession.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Right on Mitch. THis reminds me of the emergent Church movement. The church isn't just now emerging, it's been going on for quite some time now. I think people like to take old concepts re-package them and then call them their own. It's a shame that instead of giving glory where it is deserved we try to steal it for ourself.
10:44 AM
Anonymous said…
Great post Mitch. I love confession on paper and in theory but do I love it enough to do it? And this is no confession!
1:09 PM
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