forgiven – Judy in the Sky

Confession part 2 – Back to the butterscotch – So I left off as I was walking outside to confess, but it seemed so benign. I started to prayerfully negotiate for a juicer confession, I mean what a cop out! I was just a kid. Jesus was firm though. So I confessed to stealing the candy.

The exercise was to confess, the other woman would place her hands on me and say, “In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.” And then we would switch. That was it. No problem solving, or discussion, just confess, listen, touch, and receive forgiveness. It sounded too simple.

My partner placed her hands on my head…. it felt like she was placing a crown on me. She looked straight into my eyes and with great love and mercy said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.” It was profound.

Then she gave me her confession. I put my hands on her head and said the same words. It didn’t even feel like I was the one saying them – it was a moment of perfect love, peace, grace, mercy and total forgiveness.

Afterwards, I said, “Wow, we are going to walk back in that room as brand new people! This was amazing!”

And halfway back to my seat, the LORD gave me a lightning bolt of clarity for the confession I wrote that made me cry. A decades-long burden had been lifted off my shoulders. And much later in the day, the LORD graciously let me know why the butterscotch sin was important. It was the first sin I consciously committed. It was my Adam and Eve sin.

Beloved, do you ever dismiss something the Holy Spirit lays on your heart? Do you categorize sins as big ones you must confess and little ones you can sweep under the rug? What is the first sin you can recall?

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 1:5

Read Psalm 32 – Guilt is heavy and pride is a liar. Pride says, “Shhhh… no one has to know.” David says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” :3 That is heavy; that is guilt, and God does not want that for his children.

But God is a good Father. He will be a stern presence that does not let you off the hook for harboring sin, but he will not pretend with you that the sin is no big deal. “For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” :4

This is where a choice must be made. One can ignore the LORD until their heart is hardened. One can keep listening to pride and seek more sin to try to hide from the Holy Spirit. One can get used to that weight on the shoulders to the point that living without it seems scarier than freedom. Or one can confess and know the blessed life David speaks of, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” :1-2

Were you able to picture Jesus speaking in verses :8-10? Maybe go back to that section, listen to your Heavenly Father as he tells you he will instruct you, counsel and watch over you. Listen as he warns you not to be a mule. Examine your life and see where you fit in verse :10.

And best of all, Beloved, celebrate! “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” :11

Tag: forgiven

Confession – part 2

Psalm 32