Most people understand that some sort of repentance powers the process through which we restore broken relationships. But God has been speaking to me about the secret of “confession before” as a special way of knowing God’s love. God has been teaching me the value of pausing in the moment of confession.
[wpvideo 2bPdARoo]
Video length: 2 minutes 49 seconds
If you want to know more, I wrote an article on what I have been learning and I spoke on it as well.
Here is the article: Confession before Repentance: Pausing in the moment
Here is the talk: Nakedness Fig Leaves Skins and Joy
So true Sam, thanks again for a great reminder. I have been tryin something similar, I am taking my sins and faults to God as they happen and asking for understanding of what causes me to do that thing or react to the situation the way I did. I follow that up by asking God to heal me in those areas. I know I cant fix myself, I failed at that for MANY years, only God has, and continues to, heal those broken parts of me. Thanks again Sam, keep em coming.
Damon, This is a great comment. I love your line, “I am taking my sins and faults to God as they happen.”
I think that is what God is looking for. It bring intimacy with him, and dependence on him. The main thing we need to bring him is our need.
Thanks,
Sam
“He despised the shame” it says in Hebrews somewhere…your message helps me to have that powerful attitude toward my shame as well.
Thanks my friend 🙂
Hi Rick, and your recent story is such a great message for me. Thanks for calling me and sharing it.
Sam – thank you for sharing the importance of “pausing” and it’s relation to repentance. Isn’t it interesting how we even fall into the trap of justifying how spiritual we are? Ouch!
I’m grateful for people like Henri Nouwen who have challenged me to enter into solitude and there, experience the raw truth about me and real truth about our wonderful God:
“We enter into solitude first of all to meet our Lord and to be with Him and Him alone. Only in the context of grace can we face our sin; only in the place of healing do we dare to show our wounds; only with a single-minded attention to Christ can we give up our clinging fears and face our own true nature. Solitude is a place where Christ remodels us in his own image and frees us from the victimizing compulsions of the world.” (The Way of the Heart)
Mark, great comment and great quote.
He said it.
Thanks,
Sam
Thanks, Sam. Needed that. I suspect “pausing” is going to help me connect with the grace to change as well!
Pete, great to hear from a brother! (For the rest of you, he is my brother in blood and spirit.)
You have it exactly right. In that pause of self acknowledgement, we receive His grace, and that actually changes our heart; and so we move out with grace to change.
In fact, it is that grace that creates true lasting change.
You are just anticipating my next blog. But, hey!, you’re my brother. I expect you to anticipate me.
Sam
Awesome video. How often do I do the “human thing”. More and more, I am doing just what you talk about in this video. We (I) am too quick to talk to God, less quick to just LISTEN to Him. What an inspiring video. Keep at it my friend. Lyle Regan
Hi Lyle, I love your line, “we are too quick to talk with God and less quick to just LISTEN to Him.
Yup, you nailed me!
Sam
Hey Sam,
You hit a key point right from the start. After taking our turn to pour out our shortcomings to God, (of which he is already fully aware) we need to learn to be still and quiet in order to receive His wisdom. Sure, God already knows our transgressions and weaknesses and the answers to them. He only awaits our acknowledgement of them and our attentiveness so he can strengthen us and give us the wisdom to overcome.
Thanks again for a wonderfully thoughtful lesson.
Yours,
John
John, great line, “of which he is fully aware.” Yes, we sometimes think we just surprised Christ with what we did; but he already knew! Great point.
I love this Sam! I don’t know how many times I have skipped the process of confession because I wanted to get to the place of doing something; controlling my life instead of sitting with God in my confession. I am so proud you are my friend and I love how you challenge my faith!
Mike
Mike, you are such a great and encouraging friend.
(What would we do without brothers on our side?)
Yes, I want to “sit with God in my confession.”
Thanks.
Thanks for these blogs, Sam, they are a wonderfully encouraging. I often tend to think that I am the only going through something or doing things a certain way (a certain wrong way – I never think I’m the only one doing something a certain right way). I tend to talk to God instead of listen. I’ve been working on that for a couple of years and it’s been good. I long to hear more from him, but I realize I won’t unless I both ask for it and wait for it. Thanks, again, brother.