The Catholic religion has established the sacrament of confession, where every faithful should come to church and confess their sins to church representatives.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: „Individual and integral confession of serious sins and absolution constitute the only ordinary way of reconciliation with God and the Church. This requires individual and integral confession of these sins to a priest and receiving absolution.”
What do the Scriptures say on this subject?
Is confession necessary?
Do we receive absolution from a human being?
1 – First Tip: Confessing Sins to God
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.
“In Him we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” – Ephesians 1:7.
“Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” – Acts 13:38.
“Then went out to Him from Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan, and were immersed by Him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” – Matthew 3:5–6.
Let’s notice a certain pattern here. It is Christ who forgives us our sins, mistakes, and stumbles. All we need to do is pray and speak very honestly about our mistakes and problems. Then, we must work hard on ourselves to eliminate these mistakes. This is the basic principle for removing our sins: prayer – sincerity – work on ourselves.
We should also remember one important principle. The Scriptures inform us that the forgiveness of sins is through Christ, but also through His name. What name? The correct name. This name is not Jesus or any other false forms.
“And everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” – Acts 10:43.
“That repentance and forgiveness of sins might be preached in His name to all nations” – Luke 24:47.
“Repent, and be immersed, every one of you, in the name of Yeshu Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” – Acts 2:38.
“I write to you, little children, that your sins are forgiven you in His name” – 1 John 2:12.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Yeshu, who gave Himself a ransom for all” – 1 Timothy 2:5–6.
I recommend to you, dear reader, to investigate the subject of Christ’s name for yourself:
2 – Second Tip: Confess your sins to one another
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person has great power.” – James 5:16.
“Many also of those who believed came confessing and declaring their deeds.” – Acts 19:18.
“Brethren, if anyone is caught in any fault, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1.
Confessing our sins to another person is another important step in our cleansing from sin. Let’s do this especially when we fall many times, when we can’t cope with life or our problems. In the face of our failure, we might think, „Where is God? Why isn’t He helping me?” But God is there, He loves us, and He has given us another tool for self-improvement. God says to us: ask a trusted person who has been in faith for a long time to talk to you. Tell them your problems. Listen to their advice. If you do this honestly and from the heart, they will pray for you because: „The fervent prayer of a righteous person has great power.”
Asking others for help is what God wants us to do. If we’re struggling, don’t wait for another fall; instead, ask for help. It’s important in such situations to listen to what the person helping us has to say and to improve our lives. It’s difficult to help someone who keeps making the same mistakes and refuses to change.
3 – Third tip: we forgive the sins of others
“Receive the Holy Spirit! Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them; whose sins you retain, they are retained.” – John 20:22–23.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14–15.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. Go first and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23–24.
“And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” – Matthew 6:12.
How can we ask God to forgive our sins when we ourselves are unable to forgive others?
Someone has hurt us, offended us, perhaps physically humiliated us. We feel bad about it, we hold a grudge, and we can’t forgive that person.
What should we do in such a situation?
Work hard on ourselves to feel love for that person, to avoid resentment.
What about the harm that person has done to us?
Let’s present this matter in prayer and leave it to God. He will judge it fairly and draw the consequences.
4 – Tip 4: Improving Your Life
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” – Acts 3:19.
“If any among you sins, let him turn and repent, and the Lord will accept him.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10.
“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner.’” – Luke 18:13.
Improving our own lives must begin with forgiving others. This is something we must learn and embrace. If we feel resentment, anger, and hatred toward others, how will God forgive us our sins?
Let’s summarize the topic
Let’s note that there are no Biblical descriptions of a priest/confessor acting as an intermediary in the forgiveness of sins. It is not the confessor who forgives us sins, it is not the confessor who grants us absolution, it is not the confessor who assigns us penance. One cannot kneel before another and pray. Man is not an intermediary. The only intermediary is Christ:
„For there is one (1520) God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Yeshu” – 1 Timothy 2:5.
Religions have overstepped their authority and changed the rules for forgiving sins. Religions believe that the principles of faith passed down by Christ and the apostles are inaccurate and wrong, and therefore must be changed.
And God clearly warns: “Do not go beyond what is written” – 1 Corinthians 4:6.
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