Working Towards a More Manageable Life...step 5

"Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs."

 

 

17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you,

19And am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.

20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Luke 15:17-20

 

vs 17 "Came to himself~ Admitted the truth about himself"  

vs 18 "An example of the repentance God desires

see verses ~

 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.

10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.

 

vs 20 ~ "ran~ Authority figures in that culture did not run. Here, the father abandoned his dignity to show his deep love and forgiveness, even before his son can speak."

 

 



Many also of them that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.

Acts 19:18

 

3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

 

vs. 3 "war~ against evil."

according....flesh~ 1 As ordinary humans. 2. without the Spirit.

vs. 4. "weapons~ 1. meekness and gentleness(see verse 1 of 2 Corinthians 10); 2. gospel."

Strongholds~ Every God-resistant factor."  



 

12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

      14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:12-16

vs.12 Living and powerful~ The word of God enables those who hear it to do what it commands (Hebrews 11:3; 1 Peter 1:23)

Sharper than any two-edges sword~ The word of God - especially our response to it - reveals what is in the deepest parts of our heart.

(for more on the purpose of the Bible see 2 Timothy 3:15-17)

 

 

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:16

 

confess~ In this context, he trespasses are possibly ones that caused the sickness, but they may also be faults that involved relations with others. In general, confession of sins or faults to persons affected by such indiscretions, or in a small group of people, can bring about healing and restoration; but indiscriminate public confessions of private sins can prove unhelpful.  

 

8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:8-9

 

vs. 8 have no sin~ If we are no longer sinning.

vs. 9 confess~ Admit the truth.

faithful and just - No matter how unfaithful we maybe, God is always faithful to his promises to forgive.



 

13He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
         But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

14How blessed is the man who fears always,
         But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Proverbs 28:13-14

 

 vs 13 not prosper~  Not succeed. This is an understatement.

 

 

 

(All notes about verses are from my Andrews Study Bible)