1 Samuel 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there… We have sinned against the Lord. When any one has done wrong to another he ought to make acknowledgment and reparation to him (Matthew 5:23, 24). We are directed to "confess our faults one to another" (James 5:16); and there are cases in which we may derive benefit from confessing our sins against the Lord to a godly man. The passage just referred to, however, affords no ground for "auricular confession" to a priest; nor does the commission given to the apostles (John 20:23), since (in addition to other reasons) it simply conferred authority to declare the ordinances of the kingdom of heaven, and especially the terms or conditions according to which sins are remitted or retained; and the practice of such confession is most injurious. But we ought all to confess our sins to God. Every wrong done to men is a sin against God, and there are multitudes of sins against him that do not directly affect our fellow men. "In many things we all offend." And the word of God often enjoins the confession of all our offences before him, and declares it to be the necessary condition of obtaining forgiveness. Consider - I. WHAT IT IMPLIES. 1. That we see the essential evil of sin. "Sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). More generally, it is whatever is contrary to the character and will of God. As he is the only perfect Being, and deserves and claims the supreme love of men, so the root of sin consists in the absence of such love, and the departure of the heart from its true rest; and whenever man departs from God he falls into selfishness, vanity, and misery. Sin is aversion to God and devotion to self (see Tulloch, 'Christian Doctrine of Sin'). "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned," etc. (Psalm 51:4). 2. That we are convinced of the just desert of sin. "Howbeit, thou art just in all that is brought upon us," etc. (Nehemiah 9:33). 3. That we are resolved upon an entire renunciation of sin. This determination springs from a real hatred towards it, and is associated with "hunger and thirst after righteousness." Confession is of the nature of a solemn oath of abjuration. "Whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall find mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). II. HOW IT SHOULD BE MADE. 1. Under a due impression of the greatness of our sin. (1) In order to this we must contemplate the holy love of God, his just requirements, his merciful blessings and boundless claims; above all, we must stand before the cross and behold that great sight (Luke 23:48). "There is no better way to obtain the gift of tears for having offended God than meditation on the greatness of God's goodness and of his love which he has shown to man." (2) We must, in the light that shines upon us, consider the particular transgressions we have committed in thought, word, and deed against God, our neighbour, and ourselves, - sins of omission and commission, - and the sinful disposition revealed by them and pervading our whole life (Luke 18:13). General confessions of sin without personal and particular application are of little worth. "Usually, the more particular we are in the confession of sin, the more comfort we have in the sense of pardon" (M. Henry). (3) In this manner we shall, by Divine grace, be filled with self-abasement, godly sorrow, and true repentance. "That which makes manifest is light;" and in proportion to the brightness with which the light of truth shines upon us will it manifest our sin (1 John 1:8); just as a sunbeam darting across a room shows us the floating dust that was not seen before (Job 42:5, 6). 2. In sincere, frank, and unreserved acknowledgment of our sin; without any attempt to cover, excuse, or palliate it. "Pardon my iniquity, for/t is great" (Psalm 25:11; Psalm 32:3-5). 3. With a turning of the heart to God in faith and prayer and acts of obedience. "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee" (Psalm 86:5). "Repentance is heart's sorrow And a clear life ensuing" (Shakespeare) III. BY WHOM. 1. Each individual (Luke 15:21). "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13). 2. Each family. "Every family apart" (Zechariah 12:14). 3. The whole people. Those who have united in sinning must unite in confessing their sin (1 Samuel 12:19; Ezra 9:6-15; Daniel 9:4-19). "We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God." IV. WHY IT IS NECESSARY. 1. That we may give glory to God. By it we act in accordance with his will, justify him in his dealings with us, and give to him the honour which is his due. "Give glory to God, and make confession unto him" (Joshua 7:19). 2. That we may be prepared to receive pardon, peace, and salvation. Until we open our hearts to God he will not open his heart to us. We must cease to have fellowship with idols in order that we may have fellowship with the holy One, and become the habitation of his Spirit (2 Corinthians 6:16). 3. That we may have confidence in the fulfilment of his promises. This is conditioned by. our fulfilment of his requirements, without which our confidence is vain. "If we confess our sins," etc. (1 John 1:9). "And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). - D. Parallel Verses KJV: And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. |
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