UNBURDENING THE SOUL IBD

Sinopsis

Dealing with my sin as a young Christian rarely crossed my mind. Sure, IâÇÖd confess something Iádeemed big but gave little thought to the pile of sins accumulating and clogging the arteries ofámy spiritual heart. Then someone taught me what the Bible addressed concerning confession ofásin-that act by which we own up to our sins, agree with GodâÇÖs assessment of them, and relyáupon the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ to remove the guilt. Confession felt like IndependenceáDay in my soul, as I consciously admitted my sin and trusted in the effective work of Jesus on theácross for forgiveness. That was my first major step in learning to walk with Jesus. For if Jesusácame to take away sin, as John wrote, then confessing, repenting, and dying to sin had toábecome part of my daily spiritual journey.áConfessing sins came as a shock to my soul, but a good shock. I didnâÇÖt realize how casually I tookámy spiritual life and how spiritually cold I had become by tolerating sin instead of turning fromáit. Nor did I grasp the beauty of walking in the provision of JesusâÇÖ cross-work, as he keeps onácleansing us as we walk with him.áOver the fifty-plus years since first learning about the BibleâÇÖsáteaching on confession, IâÇÖve continued to study the subject. InáUnburdening the Soul,áI offeráguidance in how to make confession of sin a personal and corporate discipline in walking witháJesus.áUnburdening the Souláis divided into two parts. Part 1, as one friend put it, provides a catechismáon confession of sin, answering:áWhat is confession? Why is it important? How do we confess ourásins?áPart 2 gives a biblical approach to confession of sin. This section has fifty-two models ofáwhat it looks like in personal and corporate Scripture reading to recognize our sins, and how toáconfess them as we read and listen to GodâÇÖs Word. Each confession ends with a biblicaláassurance of pardon, so that we might rejoice in GodâÇÖs provision of forgiveness through JesusáChrist. Part 2 can be used for personal devotions or in corporate worship. The goal of the bookáis to help Christians grow in walking with Christ.