CONFESSION OF SINS

 

            Our confession to God of our sins is not optional for the Christian believer, but an act of contrition and faith in God to forgive us of every sin. Are we able to remember every sin of our commission? Not likely. We often sin aimlessly and without even thought to its nature. In the General Confession of the Reformation Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer, we confess our sins at every worship. The Prayer of General Confession is repeated at each Morning and Evening Prayer service. 

            The Prayer is repeated communally since every part of its petition has application to every person who confesses the sins of the day to God. We are feeble to do righteous works and unable to do any good thing without the Holy Spirit of God working in and through us. 

            There are two classes of sin that are enumerated in the General Confession: 1) sins of omission; and 2) sins of commission. We all have failed to do those acts of compassion and mercy expected of a Christian professor; and we have openly done those sins which are clear violations of the Law and Commandments of God. 

            Confessing our sins daily relieves the burdens of our heart of the guilt and penalty of sin though Our Lord Jesus Christ. Below is the General Confession:

“LET us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.”

         Is there any phrase of this prayer that does not apply to each believer in Christ?