All In: Pre Baptism ResourceSample

Day 3: Why is confession important?

The word covenant might be a word you don’t use very often, but it is a very important word when it comes to understanding your faith and baptism. A covenant, in the biblical sense, implies much more than a contract or simple agreement. A contract always has an end date, while a covenant is a permanent arrangement. A contract generally affects only one part of a person’s life, while a covenant encompasses a person’s entire life.

Baptism is a covenant between us and the Lord. We believe that once someone is saved through faith by grace, they are sealed in their covenant relationship with the Lord. This covenant is only made possible because of God. Listen to how the book of Hebrews describes God and this covenant,

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”- Hebrews 13:20-21

This eternal covenant described in Hebrews 13 reveals our dependance on God’s desire to have a relationship with us. One of the primary responses that God asks of us in this covenant relationship is to confess- confess our need for His healing, confess our need for His direction, confess our need for His hope. Confession declares our need for God! Read 1 John 1:9 to see what happens when God hears our confession.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9

God is faithful and will forgive us, but it all begins with confession. This isn’t a one-time confession but an ongoing, continual confession that we practice. Because we continue to sin, God will need to continually heal and purify us. It’s a good thing that God, the initiator of this covenant relationship, desires to give us everything we need! Don’t miss what Hebrews 13 says that God will do for those who confess their need for Him. He says He will “equip you” and “work in us” through the power of Jesus. When you accept Jesus in your life, you are confessing your need for God to equip you and work in you. This covenant relationship between you and God begins with confession.

Reflection:

• Why is it important to understand that baptism is a covenant, not a contract, between you and the Lord?
• Confession is important in your relationship with God. Where in your life do you need to confess your need for God’s healing, direction, and hope?