We have learned from our previous studies that God’s desire is to have a relationship with us. From the very beginning with Adam that was the way it was set up. But because of Adam’s sin, the sin separated us from God. The only way to reconcile that sin is there will need to be a blood sacrifice. Last week we are to the point where God is sending His own Son to be the ultimate and last sacrifice needed to bring us back into that relationship with God. 

Romans 3:23  for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

1 John 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

                           (Just wanted to throw that verse in there to make it very clear.)

Romans 6:23   For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:8   But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Those 4 verses sum up our current situation. Even though God Himself provides the outlet for us to get reestablished with Him, it will still require us to be proactive. Not only did God give us His son to take our sins away, but we have to believe and more!

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

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

There is a part we play in our salvation. Though Jesus has done the hard work, just believing in Jesus is not the key. (Even satan and the fallen angels believe in Jesus.) There is a confession we must make. We must openly confess our sins, not only to God but to one another. 

 James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

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

 There is power in this confession. I want to make this clear, our confession is to God and God alone. He alone can forgive us of our sins. If I have wronged someone, I must confess to them so they can forgive me and vice versa. During the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6, Jesus talks about us asking for forgiveness, and forgiving those who sinned against us.

Matthew 6: (14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15) but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The hardest thing for us to do is walk in forgiveness. It is tough and I know at times I struggle with it myself. Think about it and let it sink in. Think of all the people we have come across and have wronged us, have we forgiven them? Have we told them we have forgiven them? See where this confession thing takes place. Easy to say to ourselves that we forgive, but can we or do we verbally say it to them? Did we truly forgive someone without telling them?  Verbally we must communicate. Our mouth is where confession is made. Now I know that some who may come across this study and may question, what if a person is mute, cannot speak? I would refer them Back to Romans 10:9. God know our hearts, and if you can speak, you better speak up. 

Luke 23: (39) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. (40) But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? (41) And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. (42) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (43) And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

In these verses we see the two people being crucified with Jesus. One being I guess what we would "angry” says, if You are Christ save yourself and us. Not very repentive.

Luke 5:32  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

 The second person states, do you not fear God? We deserve what we are getting. Right there he confesses his wrongdoing. He recognizes Jesus is being punished and has done nothing wrong. He knows he deserves to be there. Jesus accepts his confession and tells him they will be together. 

 We have a very active roll in our salvation and relationship with God. Next study we will go in more depth in our roll. It does not end at just believing and confession.