A Reflection On Confession

When I am afraid my sin will discredit the gospel

Much has been made of the possibility of people in the church bringing discredit to the gospel. The line of reasoning is this: The gospel cleanses us from sin. Therefore, when one of us falls into sin, the cleansing power of the gospel is discredited. But is this true? Does a sinning saint damage the gospel’s reputation?

That depends. Someone who claims to be right with God, but who clearly is not, may weaken the witness of the message. But someone who falls, confesses, and repents—no matter how great the fall—only confirms the power of the truth. That person has demonstrated the meaning of grace.

Are you hiding your sin? The church often unwittingly encourages its members to do so. But that denies the gospel. Bringing it openly to the Cross exposes the sinner as sinful but also exposes the gospel as powerful. May we always know the freedom to live in the light.

Those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.

John 3:21