THE TRUTH THAT WILL MAKE YOU FREE
One of the reasons lost souls are reluctant to surrender to Jesus Christ, and some backsliding Christians would rather forfeit their salvation is that they are ashamed of their sins and feel they have to confess them to pastors, evangelists, or other ministers of the Gospel who will later treat them with disdain.
How so wrong you are, dear one! Confessing your sins to spiritual leaders or mentors is a choice, not a requirement. You are only required to confess your sins to God (1 John 1:9), and of course your spouse, if you are married. Pouring out your heart to those who can counsel and pray with you in the family of God can be an effective healing process, but no genuine servant of God would push you into making a confession - we are not law enforcement agents, and do not have the power to save you. More so, a lot of those you see doing great things for the Lord today were in the same shoes as you are, and probably did worse things. For example, I harboured anger, pride, and unforgiveness before I got born-again years ago. I was also quite rebellious, and just could not be controlled. How about that long list for a start?
Some denominations make you confess your sins to a priest, father, or other ministers, who claim to plead to God on your behalf; but the Bible says there is only one Mediator between God the Father and man – that Mediator is Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). No earthly leader has been given the right to act as such. Jesus Christ also, is the only One who has been chosen by the Father to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42, Acts 17:29-31).
Firmly in His Grip,
Deborah O Daniel (Toyin)
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