Posts Tagged ‘ Confession ’
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
James 5:16, CSB
God’s love for us is expressed through forgiveness, and He calls us to confess our sins even to each other so that we may join in Hisbloving work and bring healing to our relationships, our thoughts, our emotions, and our bodies.
Howdy!
The world is crazy. (I know. I should warned about spoilers.)
The first week of June 2025 has proven to be interesting. Here are some thoughts:
In January, Michael Tait suddenly announced he was stepping down as front man of the band Newsboys. On June 4, Julie Roys released her investigations of his abusing cocaine and alcohol with various 22-year-old men whom he also inappropriately touched between the years of 2004-2014, possibly more being involved. On June 10, Tait put out a confession owning to the truth of the allegations.
The whole thing is horrible. His confession looks legitimate and repentant, but we still need time to know for sure.
Firstly, we need to keep Tait and the Newsboys band members in our prayers, as well as his victims and all of their families and friends.
Secondly, let us remember that “but for the grace of God, there go I.” In other words, let’s not cast major judgment and say so many “holier-than-thou” statements like “I always thought/knew …” or “this just goes to show …” This is an example of someone falling into temptation. There are several prominent Christians (in entertainment or otherwise) who remain faithful and humble. There are many fakes out there.
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Romans 14:8-10, CSB
Instead of the I-knew-it’s and This-goes-to-show’s, let’s focus on proclaiming truth and loving the lost and hurting. To do otherwise is to engage in gossip and judgmentalism. If someone gets rid of all of their Newsboys stuff, that’s up to them. If they only listen to or keep pre-Tait Newsboys stuff, that’s up to them. If they choose to continue listening to all Newsboys stuff, that’s … also up to them.
Live for Christ and proclaim truth. Deal with this issue in a godly manner with those who ask, and then leave it at that.
This last week we saw several cities dealing with anti-ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) protests. People have been upset with how the Trump administration has been handling illegal immigration, and the protests began in major cities, resulting in Trump sending in the National Guard and Marines to LA. To no one’s surprise, this has caused controversy.
I do believe President Trump and his administration have been mishandling immigration. (I think every administration of the past 40 years at least have been mishandling immigration.) I do believe there is good reason for protests against how immigration is handled.
At the same time, damaging property, throwing molotov cocktails and stones/bricks, and attacking people is wrong. The mayor and governor not even trying to stop them is wrong. Complaining about the president stepping in when the city has become a war zone due to inaction is wrong.
Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.” For this is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among you and your diviners deceive you, and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them, for they are prophesying falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them.” This is the Lord’s declaration.
Jeremiah 29:7-9, CSB
Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
Romans 13:1-4, CSB
To be fair to immigrants, the US system is severely messed up, and the current administration is not helping matters. However, violence is not the answer, especially when people who had nothing to do with the issue get hurt either physically or financially. That is terrorism, not protest.
When another country’s flag is flown, especially with violence, that is not protesting; that is invasion, insurrection, and a statement of war.
This is a very complex issue, and both sides are currently over-simplifying and villifying. As Christians, we should not do either.
If all immigrants are the problem, you are a bigot.
If the president does nothing good, you are hateful.
If you see violence as a “mostly peaceful protest,” or you think the current administration is doing nothing wrong, you are deceived.
We are called to obey laws AND fight against injustice. Both sides have injustice at this time.
Talk about these matters, but be civil, be Christlike, and be willing to actually listen to each other.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12, CSB
God has called us to rest, and our ultimate rest is found in Christ. We now honor that call by leading others to confess Christ as Lord and Savior.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
1 John 4:15, ESV
We are saved in Christ alone, and we must confess this truth to be saved. We will also live in such a way as to show we belong to Him.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16, ESV
We like to think we can do things on our own, including earning forgiveness.
We must regularly confess our sins – to each other that we might lift each other up, and to God that His forgiveness may flow in us.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29, ESV
We don’t always see Jesus coming, but we can help others recognize the Savior we all need.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7, ESV
Turning to God through Christ, loving His Church and confessing our sins, will give hope for the future and peace in the power of Holy Spirit.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9, ESV
We must confess our sins to God. It is helpful to confess to each other, as well, which is one of the reasons we need the Church.
Confess and be clean.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9, ESV
Both as Christians and not, we continue to sin. It is in our nature until Christ returns.
But, by Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, all our sins – past, present, and future – are forgiven if we trust Him, confess, and repent.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16, ESV
Sometimes we need to see or hear someone responding to our confession.
Sometimes we need to know we are being held accountable.
All the time we need to obey God’s commands.
Then we heal.
a simple man of God 