True Confessions

Probably my favorite show on the TV currently is a program called, "Lone Star Law." The show follows the daily routine and adventures of several Texas Fish and Game Officers. These are the folks that make sure everyone has a license to fish or hunt, everyone has the appropriate number of life jackets and other safety gear on board their kayaks and boats, everyone keeps within the guidelines and quotas for harvesting fish and game, etc. Frequently within the process of their normal duties they also deal with people who are illegally in possession of drugs, have trespassed on private property, or broken other laws of the state. Over and over again in their conversations with potential law breakers I hear them utter a phrase such as, "If you will just be honest with me it will go a long way toward making things easier for you down the road. They generally follow through with this promise. Telling the truth about the infractions they are guilty of frequently leads to lighter punishments and lesser fines. 

There is something about truthful confession that greases the skids of trial and punishment. I think it is probably because that small act of truthful self-disclosure shows a willingness to accept responsibility, an admission of the fact wrong has been done, and a desire to turn the corner. Failing to make a true confession shows a desire to escape just consequences, a strategy of making excuses or shifting the blame, and the desire to keep one's wrongdoing hidden where it can continue unmolested. A judge or officer that desires to help someone return to the path of right living can work with someone who will make a truthful confession. The one who denies and lies cannot receive that kind of help. They will be pushed until they run out of room to wiggle and then will be judged.

God wants us to come to Him in transparency and truth. Speaking specifically about sinfulness Scripture advises us that "  If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

True confession is the core of repentance and the doorway to a new start and the transformation of our lives that God desires for us. But I believe this truthfulness before God goes far beyond just matters of sin and repentance. Most of the work God wants to do in us we hinder when we are not open and honest with Him. 

Take for instance some struggle or tragedy that befalls us. The person that loses a job, or an arm, or a child often feels some sense of being singled out unfairly. In their mind they might think to themselves, "there are a lot of people all around me doing dumb things in life and chasing after all kinds of ungodly activities and this loss didn't happen to them. Why is this happening to me? Why didn't you stop it from happening God!? You could have intervened but you didn't and that makes me angry." My experience as a pastor has taught me that people often think these things but they are uncomfortable with the idea of actually voicing them to God in prayer, or to others in their circle of Christian friends.

I honestly do not believe that God wants us to play nice with Him when we are feeling angry or betrayed, etc. God already knows the content of our heart. We cannot hide it. Just like the Fish and Game Officer with video footage of a violation knows the guilt of the suspect they are questioning. Resolution and healing is thwarted when we continue to resist honest confession of what is in our hearts and minds. God is big enough to handle our frustrations, doubts, questions and anger. However, if we cannot confess them openly to Him then He will not be able to assure us once again that He loves us anyway. We will continue to harbor irritation with Him as we walk on eggshells and strive to pray "appropriate" prayers. One time reading through the book of Psalms should show us that God honors those who truthfully confess what is in their heart and mind -even if it seems inappropriate. If we will just be honest with Him, it will go a long way toward making things easier for us down the road.