What do you think of sin?

It is a temptation to think lightly of sin — to ignore it, overlook it, and dismiss it. The temptation is to consider its consequences as insignificant and unimportant. Those who are broken, penitent, contrite, and grieved are considered to be over-reacting and morose. “It’s just not that bad,” too many think. Yet there is […]

When should I confront a brother?

A few days ago, I came across a question, “when is an issue important enough to correct someone?” The issue in that post seemed to be centered on correcting incorrect information (e.g., if something is not true, how often and when should I attempt to correct it?), and in that regard was helpful. However, that […]

Real Shame

If you weary of reality shows and wonder how you should think of them, Carl Trueman has given some careful thinking to understanding confession, restoration, and its relationship to public life. A man who betrays his wife can be forgiven; but I am not sure he can be forgiven for making it an opportunity to […]

What confession looks like

Jon Bloom contemplates what it would have looked like for Zacchaeus to confess his sin to those whom he’d defrauded and in the process, dismember an idol from his own heart: “Dad, there’s a man at the door. He said his name is Zacchaeus.” “Zacchaeus!” Judah’s face flushed with sudden anger. “What does he want?” […]

Encouraged by self-examination and confession

“If you are truly trusting in Christ, you can’t confess a sin for which God has not provided forgiveness in Jesus.Indeed, if you work at the discipline of confessing your sin, it should not lead to despair at all, but rather to rejoicing over the extent of God’s love to you in Christ.” — Mark […]

When confession may not be confession

There is a reason that not all confessions result in real reconciliation: (HT: Challies)

How specific should confession be?

Using David’s sin with Bathsheba as an illustration, David Powlison answers the commonly asked question, “how specific should my confession be (particularly with sexual sin)?” Summary: There should be no doubt about the nature of the sin — it is crystal clear what happened and allow the reality of the sin to be faced. There […]

Another thought about confession and “apologies”

Following on the heels of my earlier comments, I came across a review of Susan Wise Bauer’s recent book, The Art of the Public Grovel, Sexual Sin and Public Confession in America. Based on the review, I’m not sure I agree with Bauer’s conclusions, however, it does offer much to think about in relation to […]

Creation, evolution, and apologies

It has interested me over the past few years to see a growing trend for groups to offer “apologies” to other groups or individuals who may not even be alive, for sins that were not committed by the apologizing group. The whole truth about confession and forgiveness is horribly muddled in the whole process: Biblically […]

Sin’s delusion

From Thomas Fuller: Lord, often have I thought to myself, I will sin but this one sin more, and then I will repent of it, and of all the rest of my sins together. So foolish was I, and ignorant. As if I should be more able to pay my debts when I owe more: […]

Preparing for worship

A few days ago, Oswald Chambers wrote the following in My Utmost for His Highest. It is a fitting reminder and call as we prepare for worship on Sunday. Have I allowed the Spirit of God freedom to examine my heart so that my fellowship with Christ might be true and that the Lord would […]

Additional communion thoughts

In preparation for communion, I often like to read a chapter out of a book on the cross, or an article that I have previously harvested from a magazine or journal. This week a friend gave me an article that I will undoubtedly read multiple times again. Russell Moore (“The Red Cross of Jesus” — […]