Secret Sins
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Confession, Forgiveness, and Restitution
Q: In order to be forgiven, do we have to confess our sins to anyone but God? If we wrong someone, do we have to confess it to them, and make restitution to them even if they didn't know they were hurt by our actions?
For example, I have a friend I committed a sin against several years ago. I wronged them terribly, but they never had knowledge of it. I have since confessed to God this sin, and turned away from it. Am I completely forgiven, or do I need to confess it to the person to finish the deal? I am on good terms with the person as of right now, but if I tell them about this it could change our relationship.
A: You confessed it to God, and He has forgiven you. 1 Jn. 1:9 That takes care of your sin against God, but you must confess your sin to your friend because you also sinned against him, and he must forgive you. (Mtt. 18:15, Lk. 17:3-4, Jn. 20:23)
The fact you are writing to me about it shows the Lord is convicting you. He wants you to straighten things out with your friend. Naturally you are afraid of the consequences, but ask the Lord to give you courage, and grace to your friend. He will. Holding onto it will cripple your growth.
You might consider writing a letter, hand it to him when you are both alone, and ask him to read it in your presence. He'll know it's serious, and have a chance to get over the shock and compose himself.
If it involved material things, you must try to make restitution as far as possible, like Zacchaeus did in Lk. 19:8. Talk is cheap, so do what you can to prove you have repented, even if your friend reacts badly.
Immorality
Q: The verses Rev. 21:8, 22:14-15 state that the immoral, along with all liars, will not go to Heaven. What about those of us who still struggle with these issues? David
A: The first thing to understand is that you're not struggling with immorality and lying; primarily you are rebelling against God, and struggling with Him.
That is a battle you are sure to loose.
The answer is to yield to God, and honour Him.
The Bible order is submit to God, and then you can resist temptation, and the Devil flees from you. (Jas. 4:7)
You cannot do this until you receive His power to do it. Stop rejecting God's anointing. Flesh always fails: His Spirit never fails. Receive the power baptism, and walk in integrity with the Holy Spirit. He will keep you clean inside and out.
Continue to limp along in the flesh, and you'll continue to fail. Now choose!
What would Jesus do?
Q: I know that wearing a cross is idolatry, but is it okay to wear a WWJD bracelet? Julie
A: The real question you're asking is already answered on this page, when does a symbol become an idol.
