In a world where plenty of people are gossips and plenty of others are terribly judgmental, to whom should you confess the whole truth of your sinfulness? Good question. The Bible’s answer? Start with your pastor.
After encouraging struggling Christians to “call the elders of the church” (a.k.a. the pastors, James 5:14), James writes, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (5:16). God doesn’t want to be the only one to hear your confessions. He wants your pastor(s) to truly know you so they can truly pray for you.
This isn’t a requirement to sit in a confessional booth but an opportunity to find freedom in the gospel. The man whom God called to (1) know the gospel and (2) care for your soul is in the perfect position to offer you Jesus when shame is dragging you down. As a pastor myself, I can tell you that I am totally unequipped to answer most people’s questions about their careers, college choices, etc. I am, however, incredibly equipped to offer grace to those who are drowning in guilt.
Pastors aren’t the only ones, of course, who can share the gospel with you. But they are a wonderful place to start. So if you don’t have a pastor, start searching for a faithful church home today. If you do, let your pastor know the real you. That just might be the way that God heals you and helps you move forward with his grace.
