Truth Telling

“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:15-16 NIV)

At our student retreat this past weekend, our theme was “Naked Narratives.”  Each of our staff shared their spiritual journeys.  Each contained confessions of much sin.  It was one of the most spiritually significant retreats I have ever experienced.  As one of my staff shared her story, tears rolled down my cheeks as God’s grace and redemption were powerfully revealed.  As I shared my own story, I was reminded so vividly of the Lord’s love and kindness to me, the worst of sinners.  

This week a student came up to me and thanked me for the type of community we have.  He said the vulnerability of the staff had moved him and led him to realize he needs finally to tell his own story of sin and brokenness, one in which he has kept hidden for years.  I am going to hear his story next week.  Another student told me our stories made him realize their spiritual leaders are not perfect people, that they have had struggles and far from perfect lives.  He found this very encouraging.

Is this not what the Church is to be?  Are we not to follow James’ command to confess our sins to one another?  And will not that, as has happened with our students, heal and encourage people’s lives?  Yet, when was the last time you heard someone in a church service, or even a small group, confess sin?  It is rarely done.  Even when people are given the opportunity to request prayer, the vast majority of requests deal with physical illness, and usually someone else’s.  No one wants to talk about his or her sin.

What we have done is create communities that are often friendly, even loving at a certain level, but that are not real.  Members of our churches are dealing with failing marriages, hypocrisy, pornography, bitterness, gossip, etc., but few if any are willing to admit it.  They are lonely, hurting, desperate, but they continue to smile lest people think they don’t have it together.  Instead, we gather together, sing our praise songs, hear God’s Word preached, and then go out the door unmoved and unchanged.  

Our students are getting a taste of what the Church is to be like.  Sin is not hidden; rather it is exposed.  Their leaders are not hiding behind the masks of perfection, but rather living in the truth of who we are and the struggles we have and have had, that we are sinners in need of His wonderful and glorious grace.  

Jesus says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)  His teaching includes confessing our sins—telling the truth about our lives.  If we do so, He promises we will be set free.  For truth allows God’s grace to flow.  

Today, what sins have you been keeping hidden behind that mask of perfection?  Why be held in bondage one more day?  Find a brother or sister in the faith, or a group of them, and tell your story of disobedience and rebellion.  Taking off the mask, telling the truth, is the only way you will ever be free.  And who knows, maybe your truth telling will help set others free as well.  

© Jim Musser 2013