Confessing

In Mark Chapter 1 verse 5 I read these words “confessing their sins.” Think what you will of John the Baptist but this man had a great gift. He was baptizing in the Jordan River and people were confessing their sins. They were not blaming others for their wrongs, they were taking ownership of their faults and failures.

Mark 1:5 (KJV) And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

The reason I say John had a great gift is this, have you ever tried to get someone to confess to a wrong action? You know they did it, they know they did it but to confess, no! Can you imagine what that day down at the Jordan looked like. This was not just one person confessing, no it says “their sins.” This wasn’t behind closed doors, oh no if you had ears you heard. Many times I ask people this question “when was the last time you used” I’m referring to when was the last time you had alcohol or drugs, viewed pornography etc. Sometimes with alcohol on their breath they don’t confess. With their eyes and actions telling me they have taken some type of drug they don’t confess. John had convinced many to confess. What’s the big deal about confessing? It’s where you take responsibility? You see we have no problem pointing out other people's faults, finding faults of others. It is taking ownership of our faults, now that’s a different story. Understand that God did not put in me the ability to always make the right decisions. He did put in me the ability to make a decision and then make it right.  Sometimes we have to say I’m sorry, it was my fault, I should’ve said nor acted the way I did. Take ownership, for if you don’t then you allow roots of bitterness to form into your heart. Learn to forgive as you have been forgiven. 

Luke 11:4 (KJV) And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  Forgiving keeps bitter roots from forming.