From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: I’m confused. I became a Christian and God forgave my sins and helped me start over again. My pastor keeps preaching that Christians must confess their sins and turn away from them so that we can be effective in our faith. I thought that’s what makes people become Christians – that their sins are forgiven past, present, future. Are we supposed to confess them continually? – C.C.

Dear C.C.: Those who receive God’s forgiveness of sin and His salvation are secure in their relationship to Christ, but sin still creeps in and we should quickly acknowledge our sins to God and thank Him that He hears our prayers. This helps us to walk in His ways and be pure instruments in His hands to do His will.

Consider King David who said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV).

It must have been difficult for David to pray this prayer. We don’t know if he prayed these words before or after his sin with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11-12). But either way, David knew he was capable of terrible sin – and that often his first impulse when he had sinned was to deny it or try to hide it from God. To ask God to search out the darkest, most secret corners of our minds and hearts takes courage.

When we’re not willing to do this, the sins we know about remain unconfessed, and our fellowship with God grows cold and distant. Perhaps more important, the hidden sins we may not even realize we have – sins like pride, suppressed anger, lack of love, jealousy – remain firmly in place, manipulating us and eventually destroying us.

God gives us the courage to pray and ask Him to search our hearts – He knows them better than we do.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)