Thursday, January 4, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster The Discipline of Confession Part 3: The Posture and Persons of Confession

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Reflections on Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster

The Discipline of Confession Part 3: The Posture and Persons of Confession

Scripture:

Hosea 11:4

I led them with cords of kindness,^[a]
    with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
    and I bent down to them and fed them.

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us.

Romans 2:4

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Excerpt:

“For a good confession three things are necessary: an examination of conscience, sorrow, and a determination to avoid sin.” – St. Alphonsus Liguori (Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 151). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.)

Devotional:

I loved the passages today outlining the proper attitudes of confession. As always, Pastor Foster strikes the beautiful balance of clear instruction and gentle encouragement. Just as we talk about confession as a means to intimacy and freedom, the breakdown of the postures outlined in the segment are clarifying and helpful. First, the examination of conscience: This is to be done in silent, sincere reflection. Allow the Lord to reveal specific sins, attitudes, and works of the flesh. Give Him free reign to reveal to you attitudes that need His forgiveness and healing. Secondly, sorrow is meant to draw us closer to His heart as well. When we are so consumed with our relationship with the Lord that we can’t allow any sin to take root in our hearts, we will find ourselves running to the cross to give our confession. The beautiful balance is stated, of course: “One further note on the preparation for confession; there must be a definite termination point in the self-examination process. Otherwise, we can easily fall into a permanent habit of self-condemnation. Confession begins in sorrow, but it ends in joy. There is celebration in the forgiveness of sins because it results in a genuinely changed life (p. 153).” Finally, the determination to avoid sin is my favorite. Of course, we must apply our will, but remember, this is carried out by the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. The desire to please the Lord should be from the place of joy that God brings through a fully confessed, healed and connected heart.

Who we should confess to is important to address as well. The office of confessor is not limited to those in ministry, though a trusted pastor or his wife might be an excellent choice. Any believer is afforded the authority to receive confession, but in truth as Pastor Foster reminds us not all are able to keep confidence, receive the painful truths of many sins with compassion and understanding, or able to recognize the sobriety of the sin we share without shrugging it off. Seeing the sin for sin, recognizing it, confessing it, repenting from it, and turning from it toward the Lord are the intentions and freedoms given in confession.

I am so thankful for the habit and beauty that confession has become in my life! As I have shared before, I have an important mentoring/counseling relationship with the trusted wife of a beloved pastor. This wonderful couple have walked alongside my husband and I individually and in our marriage and parenting since before we were married, and he officiated our wedding. Before we met, I served as worship leader for the Celebrate Recovery ministry this pastor oversaw at the church I attended in Missouri, and he knew me well. My real self is known and I am still loved and accepted. Confession is easier because of this relationship. Before we entered into this counseling relationship, God allowed me to be mentored by a short but amazing list of Godly women who could receive my confessions, offer the Lord’s grace and mercy, and counsel me in growing past my character flaws. My favorite confessing relationship is with my husband. God has walked us through many trials in our eight years of relationship and seven years of marriage, but one of the pillars has been our choice to remain open-hearted and vulnerable with one another. God has allowed me to share my deepest, most humiliating and painful sin with him, and God has used him to release me from the lifelong condemnation I carried for years through that place of trust.

We should refuse to carry condemnation one more day, my friends. Living in confession is living in a place of freedom and deeper relationship, not a place of self-flagellation. Please never misunderstand this truth! We are righteous before the Lord by the blood of Jesus Christ, not by the power of our confession. However, when we confess He is faithful to cleanse. He is faithful to forgive!

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

God, I thank You for undoing any confused beliefs I might have about confession. Thank You for Your Word that shows me Your heart toward me and Your desire for me. I bless You today, Great God of the universe. You are majestic and Your power is displayed in Your beautiful creation. How marvelous are Your works, Oh Lord! You have created this beautiful world….how much more can You create in me a heart that is pure, undefiled and beautiful before You!

Confession:

Lord, I open my heart daily before You for examination. Show me what in me needs Your touch and Your healing. Help me to lean into You for Your love, mercy and forgiveness. (Take time to let the Lord reveal what is in your heart. Allow His healing touch. Share with a trusted friend as the Lord leads.)

Supplication:

God, I come to You with my pressing needs, concerns, ongoing struggles and requests. This is Your day, and I commit it to You and align my will with Yours for Your Kingdom purposes. (Journal needs, concerns, and requests. Make note of progress, victories, and answers to prayer. A little each day will encourage you!)

Intercession:

I lift my children (and spouse) to You for Your touch today. I pray for their joy and peace. I pray that You will equip and strengthen them each for the needs of this day. Bring healing to hearts and bodies, infuse each one with Your divine energy, and bless their interactions with others. (Journal needs, concerns, progress and victories for each.)

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

I bless You and honor You today for the time You have given me to be able to commune with You. Seal it for Your glory and Your Way. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

Blessing and Benediction:

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

Bless you each as you go forth!