Confession and Belief – The Path to Renewal

Lent – A Season of Being Poured Out
Lent is a time of reflection, sacrifice, and renewal. When you hear the word Lent, what comes to mind? Perhaps it reminds you of fasting, prayer, or the tradition of giving up something like social media or sweets. But Lent is more than just a season of self-denial—it is an opportunity for spiritual transformation. It is a call to pour ourselves out before God so that we may be filled with His presence.

Throughout history, believers have observed this season as a time of preparation and renewal. Rooted in biblical tradition, Lent reflects the significance of 40-day periods of fasting and transformation seen throughout Scripture. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the Law. Elijah spent 40 days in the wilderness before encountering God. Jesus, too, withdrew for 40 days, fasting and resisting temptation in the wilderness. For the early church, Lent was a time of intense spiritual preparation, particularly for new believers who were preparing for baptism. By the fourth century, it became an official season of reflection for the entire church—a time to step away from distractions, repent, and renew faith.

Yet, the essence of Lent is not about proving our devotion through self-denial. It is not a checklist of sacrifices or an opportunity to showcase spiritual discipline. Instead, it is about confession and belief—two essential components of renewal and transformation. Paul captures this truth in Romans 10:8-13, declaring that salvation is found not through our efforts but through confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead.

Let us explore these two foundational elements—confession and belief—and how they lead us toward renewal in Christ.

Confession – Owning Our Need for Grace
Confession is the first step toward renewal. The Greek word for confession, homologeó, means to agree with or declare openly. This means that confession is not merely admitting sin; it is aligning our hearts with God’s truth, acknowledging our need for His grace, and surrendering to His lordship.

In the first century, to confess "Jesus is Lord" was a radical and even dangerous declaration. The Roman Empire demanded allegiance to Caesar, and for early Christians to proclaim Christ as Lord meant rejecting the empire’s authority over their lives. This bold confession established their allegiance to a greater kingdom—one that transcended earthly power.

Today, while we may not face persecution for our confession, many things still compete for Christ’s lordship in our lives. Success often tempts us to place achievement above obedience. Approval from others can subtly take priority over seeking God’s affirmation. Self-reliance can become a barrier, making us believe we must handle life on our own rather than depending on God. Lent presents an opportunity to step back and ask: What is competing with Christ’s lordship in my life? It is a time to confess: Jesus, You alone are Lord in my life.

Confession is not just an internal process—it requires verbal expression. Speaking brings into reality what might otherwise remain hidden in our minds. Scientific research supports this, showing that verbalizing emotions helps regulate stress, reduces anxiety, and promotes healing. Studies by neuroscientists reveal that speaking about struggles activates the brain’s reasoning center while calming the fear response. This is why therapy, support groups, and spiritual practices like confession bring relief and clarity. James 5:16 affirms this truth, instructing believers to confess their sins to one another and pray together for healing.

During Lent, confession can take many forms. One way is through writing, keeping a journal to acknowledge areas where surrender is needed. Speaking words of confession aloud each day can also be transformative, reinforcing the reality of Christ’s lordship over fears, doubts, and failures. Confessing to a trusted mentor or friend allows for vulnerability and accountability, creating space for God’s grace to work in profound ways.

Belief – Trusting in God’s Faithfulness
While confession acknowledges our need for grace, belief calls us to trust in God’s faithfulness. Paul, in Romans 10:9, makes it clear that salvation is not just about saying the right words; it must be accompanied by heartfelt belief that God raised Jesus from the dead. The Greek word for belief, pisteuó, conveys trust, reliance, and full persuasion. Faith is more than intellectual agreement—it is complete dependence on God.

James 2:19 reminds us that even demons believe in God's existence, yet they tremble in fear. This shows that belief must go beyond simple acknowledgment—it must lead to transformation. Imagine you are on an airplane at 30,000 feet, and the pilot hands you a parachute. You might believe that the parachute exists and understand how it works, but do you trust it enough to put it on and jump? Many people claim to believe in Jesus but hesitate to fully surrender to Him, keeping their faith at a distance rather than allowing it to change their daily lives.

Belief shapes our actions and attitudes. When we genuinely trust in God’s provision, we stop clinging to financial security as our source of peace. When we believe in His promises, we live with a deeper sense of joy and purpose. The evidence of true belief is seen in the fruit it produces. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are not just things to know about but ways of being. They manifest in how we treat others, how we respond to adversity, and how we live out our faith each day.

To examine our belief, we must ask ourselves honest questions: Do I say I trust in God but constantly worry about the future? Do I claim to believe in His provision but struggle to be generous? Do I say I have faith but live in fear and anxiety? Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts rather than relying on our own understanding. Surrendering our worries and self-reliance to God allows us to experience the fullness of His faithfulness.

Three Action Steps for This Week

1. Confess Your Allegiance to Christ. Each morning, take a moment to verbally declare: “Jesus, You are Lord over my life.” Speaking these words out loud reinforces the truth of His reign over every aspect of your life.
2. Identify and Surrender Your False Trusts. Take time to reflect on what you are relying on for security and fulfillment—whether it be career success, money, approval, or control. Recognize these as false foundations and actively surrender them to God in prayer.
3. Live Out One Promise of God. Identify a specific Scripture that speaks to an area of struggle in your life, and choose to live as if it is absolutely true. If fear is your struggle, hold fast to Psalm 91:2: “My God, in whom I trust.” If you feel unworthy, meditate on Romans 8:1: “There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” If you struggle with doubt in provision, lean on Philippians 4:19: “My God will supply all your needs.”

The Invitation to Be Poured Out
Faith that does not lead to transformation is not true faith. As James 2:17 declares, faith without works is dead. True belief is revealed in how we live, in the way we surrender, trust, and act according to God’s promises.

During Lent, we are invited to be poured out before God, allowing Him to fill us with His grace. Confession and belief are the foundation of renewal, and as Paul assures us in Romans 10:13, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

May this season be one of transformation, where we step forward in faith, confessing our need for grace and believing fully in the power of Christ to renew us.