Confess Your Sins: The Way of Reconciliation

August 31, 2021 By Bill Mayk

by John Stott

Pastor’s Monthly Book Selection – September 2021

Most Bible-believing Christians know that Scripture teaches us to confess our sins. However, to whom should we confess? By delving into his own Anglican tradition and the pages of Scripture, John Stott contends that sins are to be confessed either secretly to God, privately to those we offend, or publicly to the entire church, depending on the sin and its accompanying situation.

In making his case Stott also argues against the Roman Catholic practice of confession to a priest, while correcting the prevailing view of James 5:16 that is often misunderstood among many in evangelical circles. Throughout this work, the author presses home the importance, not only of confession of sin, but of forgiveness as well. As he mentions, “because God is willing to forgive sinners through Christ, we must forgive one another.”

The author points out that confession and forgiveness is a demonstration of the gospel to “a world burdened with guilt … and torn by bitter animosities.” He concludes with a two-fold challenge toward a deeper “faith in the promises of God to rejoice in divine forgiveness”, and a greater “love for each other to rejoice in human forgiveness.”

I highly recommend this refreshing and informative book, and pray that we might read it, and take to heart the encouragement to confess our sins as instructed in Scripture, and to forgive one another for the glory of God, our own spiritual well-being, and the health of the Church.