John 4:16-18
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”
Beloved, this lady’s situation was quite complicated. To start with, she had a good cultural and religious awareness. She also had a lot of “experience” in relationships, as it were. And she was living in sin, literally. Then Jesus drew her to the point of confession.
Why did He do so at that juncture? Because God loves us just as we are, but loves us too much to leave us as we are. When we come to Jesus as we are, we will never be the same again. When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Until you admit your failure in the sight of God, your life will never change. As long as you’re satisfied with playing church, you’ll never experience deliverance. Denying, hiding or defending our sin doesn’t help us. Admission does.
There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety-nine just persons that need no repentance (Lu 15:7). God appreciates those who humble themselves enough to admit their errant ways, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Lu 18:13). He even promises to justify and exalt them (Lu 18:14). May that be your portion!
Pastor Josh