Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another ...

James 5:16

My friend, Sandy, called a friend to confess something she’d done forty years ago and ask her forgiveness. “I wanted to have a clean conscience on the day when I see Jesus face to face,” Sandy said. Thankfully, her friend loves Jesus too. She forgave Sandy as Jesus had forgiven her. Today their friendship is closer than ever. Having a committed relationship to Jesus often requires us to confess our sins to him and ask for forgiveness. When we do, we’re free to enjoy unhindered fellowship with him. Keeping short accounts with the people in our life also positively affects our human relationships. Whether we’re cultivating a sweet relationship with God or with others, confession and forgiveness will always be a part of our interaction.

Lori Hatcher
Lexington, SC

Father, help me be quick to confess and ask forgiveness — of you and of others. Amen.

Reflect: Ask God to make you aware of sins so you can confess them and ask for forgiveness.

Read: 1 John 1:9 and Ephesians 4:32