There is a void in churches today that reflects on our sincerity to follow God’s Word. It is not something new. No, this has been going on since the beginning of time. From Adam and Eve to modern day.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they did not confess. They blamed each other and deflected. I watched some of the investigation into the Epstein files and found that Pam Bondi was an ace at deflection. I don’t recall her answering even one question honestly. I found those meetings very unsettling, but not surprising, because we as humans have come to the point where we disregard the act of confessing our sins.
Lessons from the Valley
In my novel, From the Valley to the Palace, I feature the life of Jacob and Joseph and the contrast between the two men. Here is an excerpt from the book:
“Daisy smiled. “Ah. That’s the next part of the story. But first, tell me—what do you think about what Jacob did?”
James furrowed his brows. “I don’t think I like Jacob much. He doesn’t seem like an honest man.” He paused, then hung his head. “But… I guess I’m not honest either.”
Daisy tilted her head. “Why do you say that?”
James hesitated, kicking at the dirt. “Because… there’s a cupcake in my closet back home. I hid it.” He sighed. “Mom said I could only have one. But when she went to the bathroom, I snuck another one out of the container and put it in my closet.”
Daisy listened patiently, her expression non-judgmental.
James swallowed. “I mean… that’s lying, right?”
Daisy nodded gently. “Yes. James, confessing your sin to God is so important in your relationship with Him. Accepting salvation and believing that Jesus died on the cross for you is the first step. But being born again isn’t just a one-time thing—it’s a lifelong journey. Self-reflection and confession of sin are part of growing closer to God every day.”
James bit his lip. “So… I guess I need to pray and ask God to forgive me for stealing and hiding that cupcake, right? Is it okay if I do a silent prayer? I’m kind of embarrassed. I don’t know why I thought a cupcake was worth deceiving my mom.”
The Invitation to Reflect
You may think that a cupcake is no big thing, but dishonesty can start small and grow into something big. In my previous devotions on Genesis, I focused on how God confronted Adam and Eve not with condemnation but an invitation to self-reflect. Yet Adam and Eve chose not to do that.
But is confession really necessary? I mean once you accept Jesus you are all good right?
No, that is not right. I think confession of sin is paramount to living a transformed life. When I got real with God about the way I was living and He told me I was breaking His heart with my sinful lifestyle, I confessed and repented of my choices in life. I asked God to take away the desire for sin and he radically transformed me.
That confession of sin has given me more clarity and joy than any other one thing I have done in my life. More than that, it has deepened my intimacy with my God.
A Call to the Nation
We, as a nation, have been pacified in our churches. We have had our sin swept under the rug and our egos have been coddled in the church pews. We have become blinded by the mega churches and the prosperity gospel’s false doctrine, and we wonder why things are such a mess?
May I remind you that there is a verse which addresses the demise of a country and it is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
What? Yes, we are to fall to our knees and repent of our sins and that, my dear friends, is how we will Make America Great Again.