Confession Leads to Connection

by Rick Warren — January 2, 2025
From The Key to Hope

“Your wrongs have separated you from your God, and your sins have made him hide his face so that he doesn’t hear you.”

Isaiah 59:2 (GW)

Nothing makes us feel more miserable than hidden guilt. When we’re holding on to our mistakes, we’re always worried somebody’s going to find out, and that leaves us nervous and stressed and unhappy. You cannot be happy and guilty at the same time!

And so, we mask it. We try to push it down and cover it up. We get involved in activities or work or relationships and keep busy so we don’t have to think about what we did wrong. 

Whatever things you’ve done wrong—your sins, your regrets, your failures—you don’t have to drag that pile of guilt behind you into another day. You can drop it and come clean to God about your sin.

Why is it important to come clean? Because guilt disconnects you from God.

Do you ever feel distant, detached, or disconnected from God? Do you ever feel like your prayers are just bouncing off the ceiling and it seems like God is a million miles away?

God didn’t move. You did. 

Isaiah 59:2 says, “Your wrongs have separated you from your God, and your sins have made him hide his face so that he doesn’t hear you” (GW). When you have a bunch of guilty garbage piled up between you and God, you can’t see over it to connect with him. It separates you from God.

How often do you take out the garbage in your house? Once a year? I hope not! If you did, your house would stink. Most people take the garbage out at least every few days, if not every day.

It’s time to learn to keep short accounts with God. At the end of every day, you have to ask God, “What’s the garbage between you and me? What’s keeping me from knowing you and serving you and loving you and others well?” Then, get rid of it. Confess it to God, and let it go.

You don’t want to carry guilt that weighs you down for one more day. Bring it into the light and let God cover it with his grace.

Talk It Over

  • How often do you confess your sin?
  • What do you think God wants you to do with your guilt after you’ve confessed your sin?
  • How does the Holy Spirit reveal what’s blocking your connection with God? If you’re not sure, read Romans 8:26 to see what the Bible has to say.

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

The Bible says in John 3:18, “Those who believe in the Son are not judged” (GNT). Romans 8:1 says it like this: “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT).

No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you’ve got a place in God’s forever family ready and waiting for you. The invitation is wide open. Just believe and receive.

How do you do that? Trust in God’s character and the grace he extends. Confess your sins and ask God to forgive you. Claim the promise of Jesus, that salvation is free and open to anyone who turns from their sins and agrees to follow him as their Lord and Savior. Humbly ask God to accept you into his forever family.

Are you ready? Then start your journey by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I know when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord. I could never be good enough to get into a perfect place.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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