Confessions: Social

Social confession is the most difficult type of confession to understand. There are many different perspectives on what it should look like and how to confess such things. As I try to explain this to you and layout my case for the need for social confession understand that depending on your world view you may get and understanding that I don’t intend. To try and help with this before I explain what social confession is let me take a moment and explain what it is not.

Social Confession is not you confessing your sin to me and me confessing your sin to the father much like might be done before a priest. It is not a vehicle by which we are to confess the ills of this world separate from the understanding of our roll in perpetrating it. Nor is it simply confessing the bad things in this world that I do not agree with. No if social confession were that then it would be empty and not pleasing to the Lord in the least.

As I try to find words for what social confession is the best term I have found is intersession. Let me explain because I know there is a difference to many between intersession and confession. Dietrich Bonheoffer wrote in his book Ethics from page 110-115 about the 10 confessions of the church. These confessions follow closely the 10 commandments brought down the mountain by Moses on the tablets. In this book Bonheoffer explains that as a part of the CHURCH we (I) must acknowledge that I share the “guilt” of the sin of the church and it is thus my obligation to confess the sins of the church as my own. I know this can be difficult to understand depending on your background. I encourage you to read through the social confessions posted on this site and read through my blog as you read these confessions first hand I think you will get a better picture of what I understood from this portion of Bonheoffer’s writing.

The bible also shows many examples of social confession and intercession. Jesus says in Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." It is clear that Jesus is interceding on behalf of the solders but I also see confession. Jesus is confessing their sin to the father and the sin of all the people who took part in condemning Him to the cross and asks His father to forgive them. The only difference here is that when Jesus confessed this sin it was sin of which he had no part. We however can not say the same thing. Remember Jesus was sinless and took our sins upon him so that we would be saved. In Ephesians we read that we are to love as Christ loves the church. I am here to tell you that He presents us as Holy and Blameless (Ephesians 1:4). Like wise we are to love others and do the same. (If this is confusing for you remember this confessing to a priest and the priest confessing to Christ). In Acts 7:59 we see a similar act by Stephen, “59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.”

When we seek the Lord He alone will show us what to confess Bonheoffer explains this as the “guilt” from being in the presence of the King. I struggled for quite some time with the use of the word guilt as I come from a background where guilt was used to control and manipulate never to set one free. This is not that type of guilt. I think a better translation from the context would be the word responsibility. When in the presence of the PERFECT one seated on the thrown even the slighted discoloration is noticeable. When we see it in ourselves or in our church, our community or society this must be confessed. Ezra 10 is another good example. Did everyone in that culture marry foreign women? No , probably not but they knew that they had sinned against the Lord and so they confessed.

I hope this helps clear things up for you. And as I learn and understand more I will no doubt rewrite or revise this again (this is my third time). In the mean time I invite you to send me confession that you think of. Or consider taking part in our blog discussions.

December 29 2008:
I confess that you are the only true God, and your refining fire is hotter than I expected it to be. You promise that the work you started in me you will finish help me finish it with you. (Personal)

August 17 2008:
I confess that I have feared gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have feared being mocked by Christians and non-Christians alike. Lord I love you and do not want to fear anything you lay before me. Holy Spirit I invite you work through me and not just in me. Father, I am wholly your forever. (Personal)

July 31 2008:
I confess that my flesh is weak but by spirit is willing. By your hands I am made whole, you are the author and the finisher. Draw me closer to you Lord that I might dwell with you forever. (Personal)

July 2 2008:
I confess that you are great in my hour of need. You are The Way, The Truth, and The Life. (Belief)

July 1 2008:
I confess that I am to much like Thomas. But Lord you are full of grace and love, you promise to mold me into who you want me to be for your purpose. I will let you change me Lord. (Personal)

June 24 2008:
I confess that I have worshiped the traditions you gave us more than you. I have not allowed even you to tell me you wanted something different than my traditions offer me. You are my Lord not my traditions. You are God is heaven and Emmanuel not my traditions. (Belief)

June 11 2008:
I confess that I can truly say that I am beginning to KNOW the God in whom I have believed for so long! Thank you Yahweh for the veil that has been torn, that gives me access to your consuming fire that purifies my heart. (Personal)

June 7 2008:
I confess that we the church enjoy our Sunday ritual. We enjoy the fellowship and seeing the others at church for a friendly handshake. Lord have we made church more important than you? (Social)

May 23 2008:
I confess that I hunger and thirst for you. Nothing else can fill be like you do. (Personal)

May 5 2008:
I confess that when I committed my life to you I did not know what I was getting into. You are more than I could have ever imagined. (Personal)

April 28 2008:
I confess that we are a people overcome by the results of violence and greed, we are allured by the attraction of power given by the world, because we are to impatient to wait on you. (Social)

April 14 2008:
I confess that I am ready. (Personal)

April 7 2008:
I confess that forgive me when I feel unforgivable, love me when I feel unlovable, your generous even when I'm undeserving. You oh Lord inspire me to be better, you drive me to love, give, and forgive they way you do. (Belief)

March 31 2008:
I confess that my moods are directly related to how close I feel to you. When I try and draw near to you and can't find you the day seems as dark as the night. Oh Lord, when will your presence be felt again? (Personal)

March 26 2008:
I confess that I miss my time with you. When you speak to me its as nothing else matters. Thank you Yahweh that you are The Lord God Almighty and you would still care about me. (Personal)

March 25 2008:
I confess that we are forever lost without you presence working in our lives. Without communion with you how are we to ever know you will? (Social)

March 24 2008:
I confess that we have not been a people of blessing and comfort and care, we have been selfish and greedy. (Social)

March 20 2008:
I confess that you awe me to speechlessness. (Personal)

March 17 2008:
I confess that you are the Lord; Strong and Mighty. (Belief)

March 15 2008:
I confess that I feel abandoned when I can not hear your voice. You are YHWH surely when I call to you to hear your will you would answer. How can I please you in the midst of confusion. Logic has failed me. Oh speak to me Lord, your servant is lost without you. (Personal)

March 13 2008:
The Church confesses her inability to see and submit to Christ as the head of the Church, including the whole and the parts. In this sin we remain ignorant of the truth of the Kingdom of God being above all governments and all authorities. His divine will for any and all situations in any governing body trumps any and all "government" regulations and laws. (Social)

March 12 2008:
I confess that I hunger and thirst for your righteousness. (Personal)

March 11 2008:
I confess Psalm 28:6-9 "6 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever." NIV (Belief)

March 10 2008:
The church confesses her love for world's economy over the economy of God's Kingdom. (Social)

March 06 2008:
I confess that I am angry with the evils of this world. I want to hear from you, it makes me sick to think that I am a part of that evil when I do not wait upon you. (Personal)

March 05 2008:
I confess that I will wait on you Lord. I will wait for your timing, and I trust that you will provide for me as you have in the past trough this desert time. (Personal)

March 04 2008:
I confess that are my refuge and strength. (Belief)

March 03 2008:
I confess that we view you not with majestic wonder but rather like a vending machine for miracles. We expect a miracle immediately when we deposit our prayers. (Social)

February 27 2008:
I confess that I have put my faith in wealth and not in you. I have justified this by believing that you are the provider of that wealth, I reality I have trusted the power of the dollar more than you. (Social)

February 26 2008:
I confess that I have been afraid to just step into your presence. I have till now only dared to step in with the tip of my toe and then out again. Lord your love overwhelms me. (Personal)

February 24 2008:
I confess that we are a people so used to being numb that when we feel You we beg to be numb again. (Social)

February 16 2008:
I confess that You surprise me by your goodness, grace and mercy. Lord let me be a reflection of your love in this world. (Personal)

February 13 2008:
I confess that you are Lord and have firm control of everything. Though it seems that life is spinning out of control, it is not. (Personal), (Belief)

February 12 2008:
I confess that we are an unsettled people, unhappy in the desert, not wanting to return to Egypt, and unable to see the reality of the promise land. The time has come, prepare yourself to move across the Jordan. (Personal)

February 11 2008:
The church has been guilty of hindering the youth from coming to Christ by embracing worldly culturally relevant teaching methods, and by doing so have taught them that they need to be entertained. The church has taught the youth to be hopelessly idolatrous, in seeking to be entertained, needing a fix, of hype, glitz and other hopelessly empty ideals that we insert into our teaching methods, and our corporate worship. The church in doing these things has taught youth that the Almighty God IS the hype, glitz etc. and thus when they are offered a stripped down worship experience that takes them to the very throne of HIM who WAS and IS and WHO ALWAYS WILL BE, they call him boring and irrelevant. (Social)

February 9 2008:
The church confesses her guilt in being a hoarder of its provisions, both monetary and gifting from the LORD. The church has adopted the worlds capitalistic view of being a profit machine for its own gain and glory. Building bigger and fancier churches to worship in, mansions for its pastors, and other selfish deeds completely forgetting about the neighboring small town church struggling to pay its bills, forgetting its call to feed the hungry and clothe and care for the ones in need especially the widows and orphans. (Social)

February 8 2008:
I confess that I am scared of this new path, you say it is straight but I am afraid because I can't even see my hand in front of my face. Lead me oh God, light my path, remove the scales from my eye so that I will see where you are taking me. (Personal)

January 30 2008:
I confess that I have doubted your power even in the face of great signs and wonders. (Personal)

January 29 2008:
I confess that you are the Christ, provider and maker of everything, where there is drought you bring living water, where there is famine you bring a feast. You my Lord, are the provider and in you I put my faith. (Belief)

January 26 2008:
I confess that I am totally dependant on You, no longer do I desire to figure it out on my own, show me, lead me Lord. (Personal)

January 24 2008:
I confess that I put work before my time with the Lord. It's easy when you think your work is for the Lord. (Social)

January 22 2008:
I confess I battle with addiction. I've been clean for 16 months, but recently took some prescription medication to help with my anxiety, instead of turning to You (God). Forgive me my LORD. (Personal)

January 19 2008:
I confess that I am distracted by worries of the day and am unable to focus on you my Lord. (Personal)

January 18 2008:
I confess that I and guilty of remaining silent when I should speak and speaking when I should remain silent. For some reason it's like I am paralyzed to show the love of Jesus that is in my heart. (Personal)

January 17 2008:
I confess that we have been deceived into believing that we must persecute Christians for the sake of social order. (Social)

January 9 2008:
I confess that the organization we call the local church / denomination, whether we be catholic or protestant, charismatic or not, though good intentioned; is pledged by the same need of redemption as all humanity. In our best efforts to bring about His kingdom the best we can do is bring hope to a few and hurt or banish the rest for their non-conformity. (Social)

January 7 2008:
I confess that it has been too long since my last confession. Lord I feel like I have been living in a cave riding out the storms. Give me the boldness to go into battle no matter which way the wind is blowing. (Personal)

November 14 2007:
I confess that I often wait to believe your promises until I see them fulfilled, Lord forgive me and help my unbelief. (Social)

October 29 2007:
I confess that my life is in your hands. Yes, Lord you may have my feet as well. (Personal)

October 26 2007:
I confess that I trust you completely, take away the fear I feel because my flesh wants to know your plans. The enemy has no hold on me. You are the Master, You are the King, You are Lord, You are Good and nothing changes that! (Personal), (Belief)

October 17 2007:
I confess that I am afraid of your work in and through me. I fear of what you will do with me, how much comfort I might loose scares me. (Personal)

September 28 2007:
I confess that I trust in your provision, your protection, and your word. (Personal)

September 26 2007:
I confess that Jesus is good. He is our healer and provider. He is the conductor of every part of our lives. When we give our lives to Him we can rest easy. (Belief)

September 21 2007:
I confess that the church has had no real and lasting, comfort or healing for the hurting people. In the western church we are so impotent in the power of the Holy Spirit that our best effort seems to be begging Jesus to notice someone in need. Where is His resurrection healing power, His healing touch? (Social)

September 14 2007:
I confess that I hear your calling on my life but am so trapped by the worlds system that I am currently unable to imagine how to carry out the task you have laid before me. (Personal)

September 13 2007:
I confess that am timid to face the problems of my community. To confront a brother or sister when it looks like they are stepping outside the will of YHWH. I fear a break in relationship and thus have kept silent. (Personal), and (Social)

September 10 2007:
I confess that I get frustrated when others working on the same team as me do not share my priorities. I know it is a pride issue, Jesus forgive me, change my prideful heart. (Personal)

September 1 2007:
I confess the conflict between what I want or wish I could do and what I know the last thing YHWH has told me to do. That includes where to live and how to live. First and foremost I want His will, so why do I want things that are against His will when my ultimate want is His will? (Personal)

August 25 2007:
I confess that the church has succumb, even promoted the worlds system of economy. It has forgotten the root and the original principle behind the tithe. The modern church has forgotten how to operate in this world in accordance to the idea of Jubilee. (Social)

August 24 2007:
I confess that I am, at best, poor at showing Christ's love.(Personal)

August 23 2007:
I confess that I need more patience and I need to wait on the Lords timing. His timing is perfect He is never late. (read John 11) Even if we see His timing as off it is always perfect. (Personal)

August 21 2007:
I confess that the church has not been a place of safety for people who want to see the Lords help with their problem. The church has far too often either accepted the sin in effort to love the sinner or rejected the sinner all together. Christ did neither of these. Christ's way is to love everyone but he always called them on their sin. He accepts everyone where they are but He will let them stay there. (Social)

August 20 2007:
I confess that YHWH does not work the way I want him to. He is a righteous and holy God, He is unchangeable I answer to Him, He does not answer to me. (Belief)

August 17 2007:
I confess that in times of trials when things aren't going quite right that I bow to my flesh in order to feel better. Jesus it is you we should run to not the stimulants of friends or loved ones. My joy should come from you not from my circumstances. Oh YHWH why am I not happy with the love that you offer? Why do I want more? Forgive me Lord! (Personal)

August 16 2007:
I confess that I have far too often walked out from under YHWH protection into judgment. I turned a cold shoulder when loved ones tried to stop me. I shrugged my shoulders and pretended I did not care. I did not trust that they might see something from their vantage point that I could not from mine. LORD, forgive me for not allowing your protective loving hand to discipline me when I needed it. (Social)

August 15 2007:
I confess that we, the church, get so caught up in squabbling over how to save the lost that we have no time left to actually reach out to them, and love them as Jesus did. (Social)

August 14 2007:
I confess that I do not understand scripture and at times when I think about it a lot I get confused. I confess that I stray from child like faith and seek understanding first before faith and action. I only want to do the will of YHWH and at times I am slow to act because I do not know if it is His will. Holy Spirit I do not want to say no to you anymore. (Personal)

August 9 2007:
I confess that I have bought into the system of Domination. I did not intend to. I never set out to rule or control anyone. However I find myself attempting to force my will on the ones I love because I think I know what is best for them or how to help them. (Social)

August 3 2007:
I confess that have been unwilling to get wet in YHWH's rain of love, grace and mercy. I have wanted to stay dry for fear of getting wet I may catch cold. I bought into the enemy's lie that allowing yourself to get rained on in undignified and childish. I have seen recently how much fun it still is to play in the rain. Lord you can send your rain to rain on me whenever you wish, and I will laugh and play in your rain. (Personal)

July 18 2007:
I confess that the Message is as true among us today as when we first heard it. It hasn't diminish or weaken over time. It's the same all over the world. The Message bears fruit and gets larger and stronger. From the very first day we heard and recognized the truth of what God is doing, we've been hungry for more. It's as vigorous in us now as when we learned it from our friends and close associates. (Paraphrased from THE MESSAGE) (Belief)

July 6 2007:
I confess that YHWH is the almighty God. He is the maker of heaven and earth. He always keeps his promises to us no matter what. He has heard our cries for help and is, even now, making all things new. (Belief)

July 4 2007:
I confess that the church has not used it power to stand up for righteousness in the face of desertion, and loss of congregation. The church has been too weak, thereby conforming to the outcry of the few instead of the righteousness of YHWH's calling. (Social)

June 1 2007:
I confess that I do not like confrontation, I am uncomfortable defending my position. I confess that I think my opinions should stand on there own requiring little if no supporting facts to be presented. (Personal)

May 30 2007:
I confess that the church has been to timid to answer for the problems that exist between man and woman. (Social)

May 29 2007:
I confess that I am not quick to listen and not slow to speak. (Personal)

May 25 2007:
I confess that YHWH is the maker and keeper of promises. From his covenant with Abraham through the centuries to us. When He says He is going to do something it will happen. (Belief)

May 24 2007:
I confess I am quick to lay blame, quick to point a finger at the guilty party. I have bought into the worlds (the powers) view of justice not and not your view. (Social)

May 23 2007:
I confess that the church had not been a place of safety to the hurt, sick, and needed. Instead we the church have told you to go away until you can better hide your problems. (Social)

May 22 2007:
I confess that I hold bitterness in my heart towards those who hurt the ones I love most dearly. (Personal)

May 22 2007:
I confess that YHWH is the one true God. Worthy of our praise and all the glory. He is my King, my Lord, my Master. (Belief)