Confessing One to Another

One to another! James uses this expression four times in his epistle, and he refers by this to the brethren, to the church. We are a church and let us talk about that. What does it mean that we are a church? What is a church for and do we really need a church? We come to church on Sundays and take part in activities, but cannot we forget about church and seek God privately at home? I do not need others to be close to God, do I? Is not salvation very personal, a matter between God and me? Well, the Lord deals with His church corporately, as a people. That is simply God’s will, His design, a choice in His wisdom. Let us not be wiser than God.

The author of Hebrews writes to the church, to the brethren. Let us now first ask ourselves the question: What is the church? The church is not just a building. On Sunday we are in a church building, and we often abbreviate that with “church,” but nowhere in the Bible is a building called a church or a house of God except for the temple. The temple was the sanctuary, the holy place, but in the New Testament the church was not made of wood and stone; a church consists of people—not all people but certain people. They belong to the Church whom God calls. God has a Church and He gathers, defends, and preserves certain people for Himself. From humankind God has selected sinners and enters into a close relationship with them.

Sometimes the Greek word for church (ekklesia) refers to the only church, the one body of Christ, sometimes called the catholic church—not Roman Catholic, just catholic which means universal, one church from the beginning of the world to the end. Sometimes ekklesia refers to a local church. Paul writes to the saints, to the called, to the elect in certain places, and they are churches, plural. There is one holy catholic church which includes many local churches, sometimes more than one in a city.

Let us now think of a local church. This definition of a local church might be helpful:

A church is a group of true believers, who meet regularly to worship God, to be exhorted from the Word of God, practicing baptism and celebrating the Lord’s Supper, under the guidance and discipline of office bearers.

The Belgium confession states: “the one catholic or universal Church is a holy congregation of true Christian believers, all expecting their salvation in Jesus Christ, being washed by His blood, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Ghost” (Article 27). Not all are chosen and not all agree in true faith. There might be historical faith, temporary faith, or miraculous faith, but they do not connect to Christ.

Christ is precious to those with a true faith! Question: Do we belong to the Church? Do we have others with whom we can truly relate? Are we friends with God’s people? What a serious matter! Are we not in the vine; do we not belong to the sheep? Are we not a disciple? Who makes sinners members of the Church? Nobody else but God; nobody is truly interested, no not one. Christ makes sinners members of His body. Christ opens His Word to the heart, and He opens the understanding. He opens the heart and He opens the mouth. On the day of Pentecost many mouths were opened as well. Have you learned to open your mouth wide?

The gathering in of members in the Church began in Genesis 3. The Lord arrested Adam and Eve, and they were the first to be regenerated unto a lively hope. That gathering, defending, and preserving of the Church still continues. It will continue until the number is full, and until that time more elect will repent.

Let us not forget what the Lord’s purpose is with such significant friends. He gathers, defends, and preserves a Church for Himself; He does so by Spirit and Word. Oh, that Word of God can be such a power of God unto salvation. It entails repentance and confession of sin. Sin is not swept under the carpet but recorded, confessed. The word homologeoo is used [to say the same thing, to confess]. That means that the Lord says you are a liar and you respond with, “Yes, Lord, I am a liar.” The word teaches that you are an adulterer, and you respond with, “Yes, Lord, I am an adulterer.

However, in the above-mentioned text we hear about confessing faults to one another as well. Let me try to explain. The Church is called the communion of saints. Saints? Are they truly saints? Yes, it means they are holy, separated from the world—not without sin but yet having all sins forgiven.

What is the purpose of God for having a Church? Not only God’s glory, not only for comfort, but an important part is for God’s people to help each other to stay the course and fight sin. The church is not only active on Sunday but has purpose every day. Church members love one another, edify each other, admonish, confess to each other.

Confess? What do we mean? Church members not only ask each other for forgiveness if needed, they also have friends in church to whom they tell their weaknesses, and because they know those weaknesses, they are able to keep an eye on that friend. One might struggle with bosom sins and it is good that others know. Call it accountability friendship. Let me show you a few examples of this sure friendship:

Romans 15:14: And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

James 5:16&20: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much…Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. Galatians 6:1-2: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:15: Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

1 Thessalonians 5:11: Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

As you see, the fellowship of the saints is not only comforting and caring but also admonishing and means to be vulnerable yourself. Without this type of fellowship God’s children fall more easily into sin. Therefore, the Church is meant to make God’s children join forces and persevere.

Are you a member of this Church? Maybe a church member warned you about your worldly life. Someone may have asked if you pray. An elderly man may have been blunt and asked you for what you live. Do not be afraid to confess your sins not only to God but also to a trusted friend. He might be willing to stand next to you, to give guidance, to pray with you. Real friends are honest and humbly confess their own sins.

Maybe now you understand that the catechism says that fellow members are for the advantage and salvation of others. Roman Catholics read in this text that the members need to confess their sins to the priest; however, the Bible says “confess one to another”. It comes from both sides. Read the margins of the Dutch Statenvertaling translation. They use the word friend here.

This is part of church membership. It is heavy to have fallen into sin, and I am not saying that we must make all sins public, but telling my secret sin to a trusted friend is biblical. Together you are stronger, and the Lord commands it. It is wartime—sabotage the work of Satan, destroy his bridges, use the arms of faith. Search the word “another” in the New Testament and you will see how concrete the Word is.

Again: Are you one of those soldiers fighting the good fight? Oh, sinner, dear friend, most importantly confess your sins unto Him who knew no sin. Christ calls you to be truthful and confess unto Him. If you cannot find anyone you trust, you may also go directly to Him. Go to Him even if you can find someone in whom you can confide. We do not need a Mary or any other person as a mediator.

In closing, meditate on this verse: “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).

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