Confession Is More Than Saying “I’m Sorry”

(Image: The Return of the Prodigal Son, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
—1 John 1:9

When most people hear the word confession, they think of saying, “I’m sorry.”

While sorrow for sin is certainly appropriate, the Apostle John has something deeper in mind.

The Greek word translated “confess” in 1 John 1:9 is ὁμολογέω (homologeō). It is a compound word formed from ὁμός (”same”) and λέγω (”to say”). Literally, it means “to say the same thing.” In other words, to confess is to agree.

But agree with whom?

Agree with God.

Confession begins when we stop arguing with God about our lives.

We have a remarkable ability to rename our sins. Pride becomes confidence. Anger becomes righteous indignation. Greed becomes ambition. Lust becomes love. Gossip becomes concern. Covetousness becomes appreciation. We soften our language in the hope that we might soften reality.

God does not.

He calls sin exactly what it is.

To confess our sins, then, is to lay aside our excuses and agree with His judgment. We cease defending ourselves and begin speaking God’s truth about ourselves.

That is confession.

Simply saying, “I’m sorry,” is not necessarily confession.

A person can be sorry that he was caught, sorry for the consequences of his actions, or sorry that someone else’s feelings were hurt without ever admitting that he has sinned against God.

Confession goes further.

It says:

“Lord, You are right, and I am wrong.”

It acknowledges that God’s assessment is true, even when it is painful to hear.

John frames confession within the larger theme of fellowship.

He writes:

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie...” (1 John 1:6)

Then:

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves...” (1 John 1:8)

Finally:

“If we confess our sins...” (1 John 1:9)

Notice the contrast.

One person insists that he has done nothing wrong.

The other agrees with God.

Confession is not informing God of something He does not already know. It is bringing our own hearts into agreement with His truth.

When we confess, we step out of self-deception and back into the light.

Confession and repentance belong together, but they are not identical.

Contrition grieves over sin.

Confession agrees with God that it is sin.

Repentance turns away from that sin and seeks to walk in obedience.

One naturally leads to the next.

We cannot truly repent until we first admit that God is right. Once we have agreed with Him, our desire becomes not merely to be forgiven but to be changed.

This is one reason the historic liturgies of the Church place a General Confession before the declaration of absolution.

The congregation says together that it has sinned. We do not attempt to negotiate with God or explain ourselves. We acknowledge His verdict.

Only then do we hear the comforting words of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

The pattern is profoundly biblical.

Confession is not an attempt to persuade God to forgive us.

It is the humble act of agreeing that His judgment is true, His holiness is perfect, and His mercy is our only hope.

The next time you confess your sins, do more than simply say, “I’m sorry.”

Instead, pray something like this:

“Heavenly Father, You are right. I have called good what You call evil, and excused what You have condemned. I agree with Your judgment concerning my sin. Forgive me for Christ’s sake, cleanse me by His precious blood, and by Your Holy Spirit conform my heart once more to Your holy will. Grant me not only forgiveness, but the grace to walk in newness of life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

That is confession in the fullest biblical sense.

It is not merely apologizing.

It is agreeing with God.

And when we agree with Him, we discover that the One who exposes our sin is also “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Thanks be to God.