While Gail is recovering from her hip replacement, some of Gail's friends will be sharing several times a week. Today's Guest post is by Lori Hatcher*
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another.” James 5:16
Sandy called a friend to confess something she’d done forty years earlier. Then she asked her forgiveness. “I wanted to have a clean conscience on the day when I see Jesus face to face,” Sandy said. Thankfully, her friend loves Jesus too. She forgave Sandy as Jesus had forgiven her. Today their friendship is closer than ever.
Having a committed relationship to Jesus often requires us to confess our sins to Him and ask for forgiveness. When we do, we’re free to enjoy unhindered fellowship with Him. Keeping short accounts with the people in our lives also positively affects our human relationships.
Whether we’re cultivating a sweet relationship with God or with others, confession and forgiveness should always be a part of our interaction.
Sadly, people don’t always grant forgiveness the way Sandy’s friend so graciously did, but this doesn’t absolve us of our responsibility to seek it. Romans 12:17-18 reminds us, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Thankfully, God always forgives. First John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
With God’s help, let’s be quick to confess and ask forgiveness—of God and of others.
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For more encouragement to repent, see Rock Your World.
Lori is the author of six devotionals with Our Daily Bread Publishing. Her latest book, Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart, offers 60 solid reasons to trust God. Lori blogs at Refresh. To see her other books check out her author page.
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