Take a minute and read Genesis 9:21-27
James 5 tells us to confess our sins to one another so that we may be healed. Our enemy loves secrets. These secrets (unconfessed sins) keep us in darkness. We cannot truly walk in freedom when we are afraid our sin will find us out. These "secrets" invite fear into our lives. We monitor what we say, we fall under conviction, and we begin to separate ourselves. We cannot have true fellowship with Christ or each other when we are trying to cover our tracks.
What is the remedy? Confession, that leads to repentance.
We know Jesus is faithful and He forgives our sin. Sometimes sin can leave a stronghold. We struggle. The best way to defeat the enemy and win the struggle is to allow yourself to be held accountable. This is why we confess our sins to one another.
This does not mean we must broadcast our sins to everyone. If in your sin you have offended someone, hurt someone, then you must go to the one you offended and make things right (to the best of your ability, make peace. Mt. 5:23-23
Use wisdom, sometimes it is just between you and God. Remember, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ. If you have confessed and repented, you are free and that sin no longer has a hold on you. Christ paid for our sins at the cross, there is no need to carry guilt. You do not have to beat yourself up. You fell down, now get back up, brush your knees off and walk in freedom.
I started this with a question of what does it mean to cover a multitude of sins with love. Yes, it was Gods love for us that brought Jesus to the cross so that we may be forgiven, he took our sins upon Him. I believe it also means, as ambassadors of Christ, when a sister or brother comes to us and confesses a sin, if they have repented, we are to pray for our brother/sister. We are not to gossip, spread tales, or "share" with others. We are to cover the sin in love, with forgiveness, understanding, compassion, and discretion.
Did you read Genesis 9? Shem and Japheth covered their fathers nakedness, their faces were turned away and they did not see their fathers nakedness.
Just as Jesus forgave us, we are to forgive others. Sin entangles us, this is why Jesus came, to set us free from the law of sin and death. Even as He was on the cross He said, Father forgive the for they know not what they do. Forgiveness releases us from the grasp of sin and offense. Forgiveness agrees to no longer hold a wrong against a person. This does not mean there are not sometimes consequences to sin. But, if we cannot practice discretion, if we defend ourselves against the offense of others, if we display the sin of someone for others to see, then we must question motive. We must take inventory and ask ourselves if we are truly walking in love and forgiveness. No doubt, we sometimes get hurt, and sometimes the hurt is deep. We must find the healing from the hurt through Christ, lest we unwittingly fall into sin ourselves. We should not judge others, or rate their sins. We have all sinned. Christ forgives a repentant sinner, as He forgave us, so must we forgive others.
It is always best to walk in grace and mercy towards each other. We are called to be ministers of reconciliation.
Be Free & Stay Free
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