Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMPC

Wow, I could write a book of confessions, and that’s only my own observations. I can’t imagine what would be written should someone else grab a pen. But I’m so thankful that because I confessed my sins to God and believed on His Son, Jesus, all of my sins were wiped out, cast away, forgotten and everything in my life became new. That right there is a very good thing!

Our pastor spoke on Luke 15, the Prodigal son, and something he highlighted was the kiss of the father when the son came home. It wasn’t a peck on the cheek, it was passionate kisses all over his face. He was so happy to see him back that the rest was dismissed. It didn’t matter that he’d squandered his inheritance or that he’d played the fool with harlots. He unconditionally loved him.

That’s what God does for us. He simply loves us. That love isn’t based on us keeping the rules, it’s based on something bigger and deeper than we can even imagine. He’s not trying to record every wrong step we make so He has reason to keep us out of heaven, He’s prepared a place for us so we can eternally be with Him.

I think that James was writing this to remind us that confessing our faults to one another helps everyone to understand that it’s not by what we do, but by what He did. He made a way for us to talk with God as our Father, the Father who loves us regardless.

Who wouldn’t want to sit and talk with a Father like that? You may not have had a good earthly father, don’t compare Him with him. If you really want to know Him, read the story in Luke 15:11-31 and think about God as that father. Now run to Him. Sit on His lap and love on Him this morning. It will totally change your day!

Make it a good one,

Sandy G