Lionheart

Confession is so crucial to the life of any follower of Christ.  I know a lot of folks hear that word and cringe; however, it is so important and so vital for spiritual maturity and growth.  Confession can come in many forms.  There is the confession that comes as a part of genuine accountability.  This type of confession is referenced in James 5:16.  This type of confession is great because this is where the individual is stripped of all disguises and fronts and laid bare before the person they are accountable to.  There are no secrets and no facades.  This type of confession is usually pretty tough as none of us like to admit our weakest areas and our deepest and darkest secrets.  However, this confession is so healthy to the Follower of Christ.  This confession opens the door for repentance and strengthening.  It provides for an opportunity for another to get in your face and call you on various things in your life.  Another type of confession deals with just revealing what is going on your life.  This confession is more on the terms of sharing.  It involves sharing with another individual about what is going on in your life.  You can share day to day activities, struggles, or things the Lord is teaching you.  This type of confession is very valuable because it provides for another opportunity to get real with someone.  It is such an encouragement to share with a brother or sister in Christ about what Jesus is doing in your life.  Not only is it a testimony for the work of Jesus, but it also builds up other believers.  I absolutely love this.  I remember on multiple occasions sharing things with my good friend Seth Guthrie—many times, he would get so jacked up just hearing about what Jesus was doing in my life.  This is so encouraging for both individuals.  It encouraged him and just hearing his excitement, in turn, encouraged me that much more.

Confession is so important as it is one of the cornerstones of community.  Community is a word that is thrown around so loosely in the American church today.  However, genuine community is essential to the life of any believer.  I recall the great growth and success of the early church in the book of Acts.  It was in these times that community was at its best.  The church was doing life together—sharing with one another—building one another up in Jesus.  As a result, the church grew, lives were changed, and the Gospel was carried throughout the world at that time.  I can only imagine what would happen if we really realized the importance of this.  If we would set aside our pride and get real with  our brothers and sisters.  I know for a fact that as a result of our confession and community, Jesus would rock it out.  I honestly think we would see tremendous growth and repentance among the body of Christ if we started to understand the importance of confession.

I challenge any and every Follower of Jesus Christ to find that individual or that core group of individuals who you can be real with.  Confess, share, build one another up, encourage.  Look at it as an opportunity to serve and love on one another.  I guarantee that it will be an opportunity for growth and maturity for any relationship with Jesus.