Confession Is Key Part of Repentance by Robert Socha

Repentance, a profound concept, extends beyond a mere confession.

Confession is part of repentance but not the totality of it.

We must recognize that repentance is not a one-time act of confession. It is a deeply personal process that includes restitution, turning away from sin, and resolving never to repeat it. The church, in its current approach, often stops at confession, failing to fully grasp the profound depth of repentance. It is much more than telling someone your faults and reciting prayers; it must come from the heart.

Over the years, the evangelical church has seen men in the Pulpit delivering sermons that lean more toward motivation than spirituality. While these sermons are rooted in Scripture, they often fall short of truly calling the masses to repent, to turn and never go back, and to comprehend that the path of sin leads to death. It is as if they lean into the conviction of sin but fail to explain the necessity to overcome the failure by going to the Father through the Son. If the church does not emphasize repentance, then spiritual atrophy can occur.

It is all too easy to get swept up in the evangelical movement’s fervor, especially when thousands of people are experiencing the exact moment, feeling the euphoria of charismatic worship and believing they are being transported to the third heaven. It is easier still to inadvertently idolize the man leading the congregation and consider him to be some super spiritual emissary whose purpose and anointing is to encourage you to come closer to God. While those things might be true, it is essential to remember that men in pulpits are not divine; they are men. Remember, too, it is our responsibility to draw near to God.

What happens when those men stumble and fall? Where does that leave the thousands following their ministry? If an institution built on a man’s reputation instead of the Lord’s, how does it continue to function? Where does forgiveness chime in and show her kindhearted nature bringing reconciliation?

Many have defined success in ministry as the growth of an eight- or nine-figure enterprise. The ability to do good with such deep pockets can be a tremendous advantage to building the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth. Still, it also has pitfalls, especially the requirement to maintain income to keep the momentum. Large budgets demand a large organization whose monetary demands always grow. True success in ministry is obedience to God, big or small, but especially in the little things and the secret place.

When prominent men resign, there is a tendency to pussyfoot around the sin by placing it in a box of moral failure in a vain attempt to lessen the blow and salvage what is left of the organization they helped build. Yes, sin is a moral failure, should be dealt with accordingly, and should never be swept away as insignificant or simply immoral. Elders and governing bodies should be quick to expose the darkness and the offending party quick to repent and offer restitution. There should be no lack of transparency in this process. One thing the Bible has made clear throughout its many lessons is exposing men of God who sin and showing how repentance can lead to restitution.

My heart grieves at the terrible consequences when men who should be held to a higher standard and should have exercised self-control fall off their horses and stain their armor. At the same time, my heart grieves when unforgiveness rules the day and is hellbent on ruination. I hope the institutions they built can withstand the storm and that the body of Believers will themselves feel a prick of the Spirit, arrest our infallibility, and turn wholeheartedly to Christ.