Daily Devotions
Better Than Confession
Reading for September 21st: Joel
"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments."
Joel 2:12-13
If we've heard very many sermons at all, we've doubtless made one of the following statements after a good lesson:
• "Preacher, I really needed that."
• "Preacher, you really stepped on my toes."
• "Preacher, you have given me a lot to work on."
I enjoy hearing statements like that. It gives me hope that my sermon did some good.
But I also know that statements like these can be misleading. It's not that we intentionally lie. These things can be said in absolute sincerity and still be false. And the person we're lying to may not necessarily be the preacher. We could be lying to ourselves.
Confessing a fault can make us feel penitent even when no real change in our behavior has taken place. Saying, "I really need to work on that," sometimes is nothing more than just words. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. We must do more than just talk a good game. We need to back it up with action.
This is not to diminish the importance of confession. Confession is an important step toward repentance, but it only points us to the need to repent. Confession alone does not equal repentance.
So if something from God's Word has convicted us of a sin or weakness in our life, why do we not resolve to do something about it? What are some actions we can engage in today to lead to a meaningful change in our lives?
Father of mercy, help us to love you with more than our words. Help us to put our confession into action!
