Most of the confessions I read are confessions of our sins against God, yet I always think of my confession of neglect of God should include any sin I have committed against my neighbor (which includes anyone and everyone in the world, in my mind). Whether sins of omission or commission, sins of thought, word, or deed. I believe this because I think that anytime I have hurt another person or failed to show God's love of another person, I have sinned against what God would want of me.
With this in mind, I confess to you, Lord, that I am, indeed, a poor miserable sinner. It is in my nature to be a sinner. I desire Christ's nature to be in me. I accept forgiveness, because I know I am guilty. My confession includes the part of the Lutheran liturgy where we say, "I have not loved my neighbor as myself."
I know I have no merit in myself. The only merit I can claim is the salvation Jesus offers me, that You offer through the sacrifice of Jesus. I know this to be true, even though in my buoyed ego, I think that I actually deserve something. Forgive me, dear Lord. In my flesh, I am sin.
In my confession, dear Father, dear Son, dear Holy Spirit, I acknowledge that I am not the answer to life's problems. I am not the solution you seek. YOU are. You are the Great I AM, not I. While in my flesh I think I am smart and wise, I truly know that You are the smart and wise one. I repent of my smugness, my egotistic nature, and I turn to you, my God. Teach me to "lean not unto my understanding," but to turn to you continually.
In Jesus' name and for His sake, I pray. Amen.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
Thank you dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for entrusting your Word to me from time to time. May those who heard be blessed by your Word, not be dragged down by my flesh.
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