ConfessionThe 3rd phase inThe Doctrine of Repentance

Self-Accusing

“Confession is self-accusing: ‘Lo I have sinned’ (2 Sam. 24:17). And the truth is that by this self-accusing we prevent Satan’s accusing. The humble sinner does more than accuse himself; he, as it were, sits in judgment and passes sentence upon himself. He confesses that he has deserved to be bound over to the wrath of God. And hear what the apostle Paul says: ‘If we would judge ourselves we should not be judged’ (1 Cor. 11:31).”

The Doctrine of Repentance

It must be Genuine

Men like Judas and King Saul confessed their sin, but theirs was not a true confession.

That confession of sin may be right and genuine, there must be present eight qualifications:

1. Voluntary

“It must come as water out of a spring, freely. The confession of the wicked is extorted… When a spark of God’s wrath flies into their conscience, or they are in fear of death, then they will fall to their confessions.”

The Doctrine of Repentance

WaterOut of a spring – freely.

It does what it was created to do.

Born Again vs. Hypocrite

Born Again Hypocrite

0Accuses himself0 Is voluntary, done

freely0Passes sentence on

himself before the judge does & makes no excuses

0Accuses others0Waits until death

threatens them or until God’s wrath flies into their conscience

0Makes excuses & justifies their sin

2. Compunction

“The heart must deeply resent it. A natural man's confessions run through him as water through a pipe. They do not at all affect him. But true confession leaves heart-wounding impressions on a man. It is one thing to confess sin and another thing to feel sin.”

The Doctrine of Repentance

Defining Compunction

n.

1. A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt.2. A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by

wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing.

King David“My guilt has overwhelmed me, like a burden too heavy to bear.”

Psalm 38:4

3. Sincere

“Our hearts must go along with our confessions. The hypocrite confesses sin, but loves it, like a thief who confesses to stolen goods, yet loves stealing. A good Christian is more honest. His heart keeps pace with his tongue. He is convinced of the sins he confesses, and abhors the sins he is convinced of.”

The Doctrine of Repentance

“Not yet Lord”But I wretched, most wretched, in the very commencement of my early youth, had begged chastity of Thee, and said, “Give me chastity and contingency, only not yet.” For I feared lest Thou shouldest hear me soon, and soon cure me of the disease of concupiscence, which I wished to have satisfied, rather than extinguished.

4. Particularizing Sin

“A wicked man says, ‘Lord I have sinned’, but does not know what the sin is; at least he does not remember, whereas a true convert acknowledges his particular sins. As it is with a wounded man, who comes to the surgeon and shows him all his wounds – here I was cut in the head, there I was shot in the arm – so a mournful sinner confesses the several distempers of his soul.”

The Doctrine of Repentance

“We have served the Baals.”In Judges 10:10, Israel particularized their sin by naming it for what it was.

5. Sin in the Fountain

“He acknowledges the pollution of his nature. The sin of our nature is not only a privation of good but an infusion of evil. We are ready to charge many of our first sins to Satan’s temptations, but this sin of our nature is wholly from ours; we cannot shift it off to Satan. It is this depravity of nature which poisons our holy things… Oh confess sin in the fountain!”

The Doctrine of Repentance

Psalm 51:5Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6. All Circumstances and Aggravations

“Those sins which are committed under the gospel horizon are doubtless dyed in grain. Confess sins against knowledge, against grace, against vows, against experiences, against judgments. These are killing aggravations which accent and enhance our sins.”

The Doctrine Repentance

Psalm 78:31-32God's anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel. In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.

7. Charge Oneself as to Clear God

“Should the Lord be severe in his providences and unsheathe his bloody sword, yet we must acquit him and acknowledge he has done us no wrong. Nehemiah in his confessing of sin vindicates God’s righteousness: ‘Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us.’ (Neh. 9:33). Mauritius the emperor, when he saw his wife slain before his eyes by Phocas, cried out, ‘Righteous art thou, O Lord, in all thy ways.’”

The Doctrine of Repentance

Discipline is Love

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

“My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

Hebrews 12:6

8. A Resolution Not to Act on One’s Sins Again

“Origen calls confession the vomit of the soul whereby the conscience is eased of that burden which did lie upon it. Now, when we have vomited up sin by confession we must not return to this vomit. What king will pardon that man, who after he has confessed his treason, practices new treason?”

The Doctrine of Repentance

Cease to do evil – Isa. 1:16

Is it Necessary? Yes.

0 It reproves those that hide their sins0 It reproves those who confess their sin by halves; they

do not confess all, only a small part0 It reproves those who lessen their sins0 It reproves those who are so far from confessing sin

that they boldly plead for it – they defend their sin

Confession of Sin…

1. Gives glory to God. It exalts Him.2. Humbles the soul.3. Gives vent to a troubled heart.4. Purges out sin.5. Endures Christ to the soul.6. Makes way for pardon.7. Is a reasonable command!

Confession to Others

1. Where a person has fallen into scandalous sin and by it has been an occasion of offense to some and falling to others.

2. Where a man has confessed sin and yet still feels burdened by it. He should confess it to a trusted friend that can help take the thorn out of his conscience.

3. Where anyone has slandered and damaged another’s reputation by sinning against them.