This is Max Locato. Confession is agreeing with God. We agree about the reality of our sin. We don't

pretend we never sin, nor do we discount its severity. We admit to it. God has an acceptable

standard of behavior. Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard. God's standard

is perfection, and we are anything but. We are prone to tamper with the standard. We compare

ourselves with others. We justify misbehavior. We downplay the severity of our sin. In confession, we quit tinkering with the system.

Our thought process should go something like this. I took the wrong path. I ignored the

direction of God. But though my sin is great, God's grace is greater. I trust him to forgive me.

We agree with God about the reality of our sin.