James 5:16


Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective ~ James 5:16

Confessing our sins to each other cleanses our soul. It also leads to humility when we can acknowledge before each other our weaknesses and sins, allowing others to pray for us, and we to pray for them in times of great need. If we have offended anyone, direct admission of guilt and confession are the best tools to bring peace. We have a false need to have others we have community with feel we have no vices, and feel we are respected in that community. Of course, we know that the loved one’s that live with us know our vices inside out, and may see us different than the outside community. By sharing our weaknesses, our sins, our vices with each other in the church, a greater understanding is gained that we are not alone in what challenges us in life and the demons we fight in our human nature. Note it does not say to go to your elders, or your deacons, or your pastor, but go to each other, for even leadership should go to one they have offended, and/or otherwise to confess their sin. Priests have gained too much power in the fact they are the one to give absolution, whereas this is not the direction James gave to his readers. Healing comes through reflection and repentance, and as we do so in communion. When the prayers, the earnest prayers, the energetic prayers, of a good person prays, those prayers are heard, and there is power in those words. Never fear being open about those aspects which hold you back from obtaining all the Lord would have for you. Keeping our sins secretive holds us captive.
Devotion by Pastor Julia

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