Acceptable Confession
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acceptance. If we have not experienced that repentance which is not to
be repented of, and have not confessed our sin with true humiliation
of soul and brokenness of spirit, abhorring our iniquity, we have never
sought truly for the forgiveness of sin; and if we have never sought
we have never found the peace of God. The only reason why we may
not have remission of sins that are past is that we are not willing to
humble our proud hearts and comply with the conditions of the word
of truth. There is explicit instruction given concerning this matter.
Confession of sin, whether public or private, should be heartfelt and
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freely expressed. It is not to be urged from the sinner. It is not to be
made in a flippant and careless way or forced from those who have no
realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin. The confession that
is mingled with tears and sorrow, that is the outpouring of the inmost
soul, finds its way to the God of infinite pity. Says the psalmist: “The
Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as
be of a contrite spirit.”
There are too many confessions like that of Pharaoh when he was
suffering the judgments of God. He acknowledged his sin in order
to escape further punishment, but returned to his defiance of heaven
as soon as the plagues were stayed. Balaam’s confession was of
a similar character. Terrified by the angel standing in his pathway
with drawn sword, he acknowledged his guilt, lest he should lose
his life. There was no genuine repentance for sin, no contrition, no
conversion of purpose, no abhorrence of evil, and no worth or virtue
in his confession. Judas Iscariot, after betraying his Lord, returned
to the priests, exclaiming: “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the
innocent blood.” But his confession was not of such a character as
would commend him to the mercy of God. It was forced from his guilty
soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a fearful looking for of
judgment. The consequences that were to result to him drew forth this
acknowledgment of his great sin. There was no deep, heartbreaking
grief in his soul that he had delivered the Son of God to be mocked,
scourged, and crucified; that he had betrayed the Holy One of Israel
into the hands of wicked and unscrupulous men. His confession was
only prompted by a selfish and darkened heart.
After Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit, they were
filled with a sense of shame and terror. At first their only thought was
how to excuse their sin before God and escape the dreaded sentence