The Nobility of Compression
Matthew 3:6
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.


1. Confession of sin should not be made to every one we meet; it should be discriminating.

2. It should be honest.

3. The moment a man attempts to be honest with himself in respect to his moral character, and to make confession before God, everything that is in Him rises up against him: —

1. Reason. Reason suborned by his feeling: refuses to investigate. It returns false reports.

2. Pride. How on the proud man do the evidences of sin beat as hailstones on a slate roof, and never penetrate. The mouth of pride has the lockjaw, when it is a question of confessing wrong.

3. "Vanity. Vanity teaches men to regard more the opinions of men than of God.

4. Conscience. When ready to confess, conscience says, "Stop, insincere hypocrite."

5. Prudence. "Let well alone." Let the past alone.

6. Yet is there anything nobler than confession of wrong done? It is a way of pleasantness and peace.

7. Do not be afraid to confess your sin to Jesus. It is easy for sorrow to confess to love.

(H. W. Beecher.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

WEB: They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.




The Moral Value of Confession
Top of Page
Top of Page