1 John 1:9 is a favorite of many people: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Some have referred to this as the Christian’s bar of soap. That’s a bit too cavalier for me, but I understand what they are trying to say. It’s wonderful to know that because of what Christ did on the cross we can confess our sins, be forgiven, and be restored in our fellowship with our God!

1 John 1:9 has an Old Testament corollary in Psalm 32:5:

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

This psalm speaks a great deal about sin. Some feel it was written directly after David wrote Psalm 51 (his confession of adultery and murder recorded in 2 Samuel 11). We have no direct evidence of this chronology, but the psalm delivers clear statements of David’s understanding of his own sin and God’s forgiveness. He starts the psalm by saying, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”  He concludes the psalm, “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”

Forgiveness. What a wonderful thought and reality.

Confession. Good for the soul.

In verse 5 David says he acknowledged his sin. With the same thought in mind he says he didn’t cover it up, and yet a third time in the same verse David says he confessed his sin. That is a lot of exposure. David learned that shedding light on what we so often try to keep in the darkness brings release, forgiveness, cleansing.

Have you learned the art of confession? Jana and I teach a Parents of Teens group and one of the critical life lessons we teach is the importance of confession and forgiveness in parenting. We need to acknowledge when we blow it with our kids, admit our wrongdoing, and ask forgiveness. Most of us have not had very good models of someone asking us to forgive them — not in our households, our business relationships, our churches…not anywhere. I’ll lay down the same challenge we give in our Parents of Teens group: Practice confession and forgiveness in your marriage, your parenting, at work, in your friendships; wherever you have close relationships. Our kids obviously see us when we model bad behavior — there is no doubt about that. Do they also see the reconciliation and freedom that comes when we shine a light on our sin?

“Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him…” Psalm 32:2

Take a moment to read Psalm 32 for David’s Before and After descriptions. What do you think it cost him to come clean? How would you characterize his return on investment?

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.      Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin.      Selah Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.  You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.      Selah  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.  Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.  Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!