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


When our hearts are clouded by unconfessed sins, no matter how small, our connection with God is hampered. No one wants their connection with God to be in that position. God is a forgiving God, and so when we need to confess to others whom we may have hurt, we need to go to them and ask forgiveness. And as God, we need to be ready to forgive when someone comes to us in repentance. Even if that person is not a Christian and if I have hurt them in some way, I need to show that I am wishing to be reconciled through their forgiveness, even if they do not offer it back to me. My humble confession will or could soften their heart toward God, and that is an opportunity to witness of his love for all. When we confess our hearts are cleansed, our spirit is free, and even if it is only God that forgives us in that confession, we are free. Sadly, the one who will not nor cannot forgive when we confess to them is still a prisoner. Our healing comes not only in physical form, but also in emotional and spiritual form when we pray for each other. God calls us together as a community. We are called to pray for each other, to show love and forgiveness with each other so that unity remains in the body of Christ. Unforgiveness leads to sickness, it is shown to be true. Unforgiveness creates anxiety, anger, depression and from those and other feelings come ulcers, heart problems, and a crippled, bitter spirit. Do not wait to cleanse the heart…do not respond to another with bitterness, but be open to forgive and to bring healing as well as receive it. 

Pastor Julia

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