CONFESSION
This was probably my greatest concern when I decided to convert to the Catholic Church. I remember many long hours talking to the priests, other Catholics, my wife, anyone I could find that might have an answer for me. Now, nearly 15 years later, I still have something of a personal problem with this subject. I'm pretty sure it's just the actual "act of confession" that I have the problem with though, not the idea in general.
The Bible teaches us that only by confessing our sins can we achieve forgiveness from God. Going back to the Old Testament we find that in 2Samuel 12:13, David confesses his sins to Nathan and was given assurance from Nathan that his sins were forgiven.
But, there are better passages throughout the New Testament supporting this tradition of the Church. God has given man the authority, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to forgive sins. Here are just a few of the passages that demonstrate this:
Acts 19:18 - And many that believed came (to the Apostles), and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
John 20:22-23 - Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Matt. 18:18 - Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
2Corinthians 2:10 - Paul said: If I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave it I in the person of Christ.
2 Cor 5:18-20 - Paul states; (read the whole verse) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (the ministry of forgiving sins); to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
This last passage was the passage that finally convinced me that what I was doing was right, that the Church was right. This is one of the earliest references I've ever found to the modern philosophy of "tough love". It's not easy to stand before another man and confess your secrets! However, once a person goes to confession and actually states the sin(s) aloud with true contrition, it is guaranteed that a relief and cleansing will immediately follow, as well as a strong sense of forgiveness. Believe me, there is no doubt that you are forgiven - you know!
Confession gives a person a fresh start, giving us all a desire to work hard never to commit the sin again. Not only does confession clean the soul, it's pleasing to God, and He fills the soul with graces.
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