How do you explain confession to a new Christian?

One thing I've learned about many "Christians" is that they are not very forgiving and love to find fault with others to make themselves look better in their own mind.

The only person I ever confessed my sin to was my pastor, and that was more to see his reaction than anything else. I would never confess my sin to other Christians, although I did do it in a deacons meeting once. However, I have been judged and condemned by deacons in two different churches for being divorced.

 

we aren't supose to go around confessiong to every believer we see. Like Jon Marc said, the pastor, or a trusted mentor.

 

In our lifetime we may find one, possibly two, real friends. Ones with which we could confide. This is what scripture is talking about. That one friend with whom we could say anything and that is where it would stop. It was not intended to be a circus-like confessional.

When I assumed a new pastorate, I always sought out another man with whom I could confide in confidence. It was a great relief for me as a pastor and as a man.

From the writings of Timothy we see this communion between Paul and Timothy.

In the Church of England, we had confessional on Friday evening. It was not a secret cubicle. It may have been just sitting in a pew, or in the vicar's office, or standing in an aisle. It was a personal moment of relief from burdens we may have been carrying about. This too was that confessional; confessing one to another. It led to a fuller life in Christ because, like Pilgrim, we removed the load from our backs and walked in freedom.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I think the context of confessing sins to one another is that a Christian does not deny or hide his sins if he wants healing. The context in James 5 should be considered in order to interpret this.

 

Everyone needs someone to talk to who will not blab, who knows that "Off the record" means that this conversation never occurred.

 

sounds like a good plan