Confession 2.6 | NIV
I must lament and confess my omissions of duty, my neglect of it and triflings in it; and that I have done so little since I came into the world of the great work I was sent into the world about, so very little to answer the end of my creation or of my redemption, of my birth and of my baptism; and that I have profited no more by the means of grace.
I have been as a fig tree planted in the vineyard, and you have come many years seeking fruit from me but have found none; and therefore I might justly be cut down and thrown into the fire for using up the soil: Luke 13:6-7(NIV) You have come looking for good grapes, but behold only bad ones; Isaiah 5:4(NIV) for I have been an empty vine bringing forth fruit for myself. Hosea 10:1(KJV)
I have known the good I ought to do, but have not done it. James 4:17(NIV) I have hid my Master’s money, Matthew 25:18(NIV) and therefore deserve the doom of the wicked and lazy servant. Matthew 25:26(NIV)
I have been an unfaithful manager who has wasted my Lord’s possessions, Luke 16:1(NIV) for one sinner destroys much good. Ecclesiastes 9:18(NIV)
Money has been put in my hand to get wisdom, which I have had no desire to get; Proverbs 17:16(NIV) or like the fool my heart has been inclined to the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2(NIV)
My youth and vigor were meaningless, Ecclesiastes 11:10(NIV) and I am finishing my years with a moan. Psalm 90:9(NIV)
I have not recognized or improved the time of God’s coming to me; Luke 19:44(NIV) have not stored provisions in summer nor gathered food at harvest, though I have had commanders, overseers, and rulers. Proverbs 6:7-8(NIV)
I am slow of heart to understand and believe; Luke 24:25(NIV) and though by this time I ought to be a teacher of others, I am yet to learn the elementary truths of God’s word: I have need of milk and cannot bear solid food. Hebrews 5:12(NIV)
I have undermined piety and hindered devotion to God; Job 15:4(NIV) have not called on your name or striven to lay hold of you. Isaiah 54:7(NIV)
I have come before you as your people come and sat before you as your people sit and listened to your words, when my heart at the same time has been greedy for unjust gain. Ezekiel 33:31(KJV) And thus have I brought the torn and the crippled and the diseased for sacrifice; have offered that to my God which I would not have offered to my governor; Malachi 1:8(NIV) and have vowed and sacrificed to the Lord a blemished thing, when I had in my flock an acceptable male. Malachi 1:14(NIV)
