Confession is another word for an apology. Whatever the word, if we are not honest, sincere and transparent in our confession, it has no value, and it doesn’t do us any good.
Living together in harmony has less to do with our desire to be so, and more to do with how we give ourselves up for the joy of the others in the relationship.
Confession of faults and forgiveness of the same go hand in hand. Just as the confession ought to be honest, so also forgiveness. Both have to be quick and both have to be out of love.
James, the brother of the LORD has these words for us – “16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:16.
A whole lot of good hangs on our sincere confession of our faults. Let us hold not; rather be quick in seeking forgiveness; and be quick in forgiving.
"32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." "14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:" "13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."