What is the remedy for the ambivalent soul? Too many young people are passionless, purposeless and powerless. Many Christians no longer attend church, and are adopting diluted perspectives that eliminate any uncomfortable idea that there will be consequences for our actions and personal life choices. Confession is the way that God accomplishes spiritual circumcision in our lives. There is something holy and supernatural about being exposed before someone else. In being extremely vulnerable, when we humbly share our confession, we truly are submitting to another. It is here we come into the light, acknowledging specific imperfections to someone who looks like us, where our pride is dealt a mortal blow. This forges new covenant connections as we are growing trust in a community of restoration. As embarrassing this process is, we find its the essential place transformation can occur. It is here we receive the grace of God.

I am convinced that a pivotal reason contemporary Christians are so insecure, disconnected, isolated and impotent is because we fail to confess our faults one to another. Until we bring our sin, sins and the stuff we are struggling with to another person in humble confession we will remain wounded, broken and not healed. But when we do confess and experience the whole process fully, we experience resurrection life. The process is more than talk. It involves action and a solemn transaction takes place. The confessor then ministers mercy by walking with us to the Cross where we are set free. There with our pilgrim companion, these issues are bound to the cross. Also, we receive the ministry of cleansing, forgiveness and blessing where God’s image and His destiny is pronounced and decreed.

Too often I see our disclosures stop short of real confession that accomplishes circumcision because we would rather appeal to someone for their sympathy or pity. We want to be justified and to be told we are OK to prop up our false self. But we need to confront everything that mars or fails to reveal the image of Christ in us for this alone is the hope of Glory. We must face the fact that our behaviors and our emotional outbursts often are far from being life-giving or light-bringing.

Transformation of the inner soul is a painful process where the excess flesh nature is cut away. We cannot do this alone nor by ourselves. As with the first circumcision, we need to submit to a trusted other who knows the way to the cross and has the professional skill to perform this sensitive procedure. As with Abraham, it marked him for life as one who was in covenant with God. Faith connections of the heart were sealed in this uniquely intimate operation.

With Jesus living in you, you are a Saint, one of God’s Holy Ones destined to decree and declare the will of God (Read Psalms 149) Its not based on having a perfect life or having the best circumstances, but because you open your heart through confession of each and every fault, we invite presence of God in. the Holy Spirit who releases resurrection life in you. When we confess our faults one to another, and pray one for another in this way we are healed. This is the criteria to see the promise of James 5:16 become possible: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”