Say Sorry

As we draw near to meet our Heavenly Father there are times when we need to begin by saying sorry.

Even though we have been reconciled and are now reconciled to the Father through Christ’s Atoning Death (Romans 5:10-11), our fellowship with Him may have been marred and disrupted by something we have said or done.

Maybe we’ve lost our temper, or been selfish, or unkind, or spiteful or we’ve made someone else suffer, or been dishonest by telling part of the truth but not the whole truth.

So as we approach our Father we need first of all to admit our sin and turn from it.

Sometimes when we pray in groups with others the prayer time simply doesn’t get going. It’s like walking through mud; lots of rather awkward silences. When this happens we need to take a moment to stop and give people the opportunity in a quiet moment to say sorry to the Lord for something that has happened. Then afterwards when we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in our prayers there is a noticeable change and the prayers flow easily, and we notice His Leading and Guidance.

The great promise of Scripture is that Jesus "is the atoning sacrifice for our sins’" (1 John 2:2).

And, "if we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

In Psalm 51 David confesses his sins of murder and adultery.

Psalm 38 is a deep and long confession of sin and a prayer for the Lord’s continuing help.

And the fourth book of Psalms ends with a long, detailed confession of Israel’s horrific historical national rebellion and disobedience against the Lord which included the murder and sacrifice of baby children to the pagan idol-gods! Psalm 106 is deeply, deeply shocking.

Confessing involves admitting what we’ve done, and acknowledging that we regret doing it.

Things we’ve thought (such as envy, jealousy, lust, coveting);

Or said (things like losing our temper and becoming aggressive and openly criticizing someone else, or boasting and being proud);

Or done (perhaps being unkind, or selfish, or impatient, or greedy);

Or not done (perhaps we’ve ignored those in great need, or we’ve been fearful and not spoken up for someone else).

But we shouldn’t confuse temptation and sin. Being tempted is not sin. Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). We sin when we give in to the temptation to sin (James 1:14-15).