Confession and Healing

Every Christian has a personal story of redemption and deliverance.  Not only have we been saved from death and eternal damnation by God's grace, but God has saved us from troubles and addictions after we were born again.  These are stories which should not be kept to ourselves, but shared freely with others.  Our story should be one which points to God's faithfulness despite our faithlessness.  Transparency and vulnerability are sorely lacking in the lives of many because they are afraid they might be judged or condemned by others.

Recognition of past failure lays a foundation for humility and graciousness within us.  We should not to be proud of our wickedness or how we were more "lost" than most because of our debauchery.  Who we used to be and what we used to do is the minor key:  the grace, love, and salvation of God is to be the major emphasis.  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."  Paul gives us a good example in specifically referencing the sins and folly of his former life, but does not go into vivid detail.  His unworthiness allowed him to magnify God's grace towards him.  This same grace God offers to all who repent and trust in Him.

There are few things worse than a group of Christians who act like they have no problems or struggles with sin whatsoever.  Our identity as Christians is a public proclamation we are sinners who had no hope in this world apart from Christ.  After coming to Christ, do all our problems disappear?  Not hardly.  We live in a fallen world, are targeted by the enemy of our souls, and live in a body of corruptible flesh.  It is true Christ has overcome the world and through Him we are assured of ultimate victory.  But to suggest we do not struggle in this fight not against flesh and blood is to deny the truth of scripture.  Christians must band together as one, revealing our pains and difficulties freely - not for sympathy or pity - but so we might strengthen and encourage one another, praying for one another continually.

In nearly every John Wayne western I can remember, he is injured at some point.  Many times after a gunfight, someone will point out "Hey, you've been shot."  "Aw, this?"  the tough man says, as if he didn't know. "I'm fine."  The most common John Wayne treatment is to wrap a bandana around the bloody wound and ignore it.  In the movies no one needs to worry about lead poisoning, but in real life we do.  God has provided churches comprised of believers to minister to the needs and tend to the wounds of those in the Body itself.  If Christians do the spiritual equivalent of limping around with bandanas tied on our arms and legs, trying to conceal our wounds, how will they ever be healed?  When the fiery darts of the enemy find a gap in our armour, we need to seek the aid of our brothers who are fighting with us in the trenches.  Let us not be ashamed to admit our need for accountability and help when we are hurting.  How silly it would be for you to walk into church with the sharp teeth of a bear trap sunk to the bone on the ankle, smile, and say you are doing well.  Do this long enough and you might actually start believing yourself.

James 5:13-16 says, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."  God has made Christians as members of Christ's Body and ordained us as ministers for one another.  Instead of glorying in what God has saved us from, let us rejoice that we know God and have been delivered by His grace.  Our deliverance from sin does not mean we do not struggle.  Let us join as one, united in the grace, love, and mercy of Christ.  By the grace of God we are who we are, and together let us bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.