Confession and Fellowship

“What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.” 1 John 1:3-4

A son engages his father in a heated argument. Upset, the son slams the door to his room and remains there for hours. Days later the son still refuses to talk to his father. Finally, one evening the father and son are reconciled - their differences resolved.

When a person receives Christ as his Savior, his sins are no longer counted against him. In the fullest sense he has been pardoned. However, that is not all that salvation secures. Christ comes to make His home in the heart of the believer through the Holy Spirit, and God becomes the believer’s heavenly Father. One of the greatest privileges the Christian has in this new relationship is fellowship with the Father.

However, when we sin our intimacy is broken. Like the angry son, our relationship with our Father is affected by our selfish behavior. Confession is vital because it is the means by which God restores our close communion. When we live with open, unconfessed sin, our ability to enjoy God is diminished. God is not waiting for our sacrifice to renew His fellowship with us. He waits for our humble confession.

“This is eternal life, that they may know You...” John 17:3