One of the strongest indicators of God’s existence is the consistent sense of morality found in the hearts of men from every culture, tribe, and nation. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican priest and philosopher from the thirteenth century, introduced this moral argument as an observation to consider. He noted that men compare values and goodness in others, finding a “superlative standard,” such as “the most good, most true, and so forth.” (Reasonable Faith, pg. 104) Aquinas believed that this inner compass must have come from a Cause that contained the perfection of all things man finds good and noble. The highest Standard of every standard must be found in the One who created man and placed the compass of morality in his heart. In other words, God is the highest standard of holiness, humility, love, truth, justice, goodness, hope, and wisdom from which humans draw their conclusions about what is holy, humble, loving, truthful, just, good, hopeful, and wise.
What does this have to do with confession in prayer? Consider the parable of the Pharisee and the publican that Jesus told in Luke 18. Both men already believed in God’s existence. Both men recognized God’s standard of holiness and of all that is good. Both went to God in prayer. However, the Pharisee’s prayer indicated that he had reached God’s standard of holiness, as he compared himself with the nearby publican. His lack of insight into his shortcomings ultimately kept him from truly knowing the God to whom he prayed. It also prevented him from receiving the mercy he desperately needed. However, the publican fully embraced his sinfulness, recognizing that God’s standard was so far above his ability to meet that the only thing he could do was to beg for mercy. Jesus said only the publican went away justified before God that day.
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:9-14
Each person who comes to God approaches him in one of these two ways. If God is the Superlative standard of every moral and ethical value, then a person should recognize his inability to approach this standard. Unfortunately, many, like the Pharisee, assume that the good works they do vault them to the perfect standard of God. Pride blinds them to the mercy they desperately need.
As we consider our own approach to God in prayer, each of us can fall into the Pharisee’s comparison to the wrong standard. We will completely miss God’s willingness to pour out His mercy by blithely assuming we deserve all that we ask for from God without any recognition of our own unworthiness. We all fall short of God’s standard every day.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23
Thankfully, Jesus showed us the perfect standard in human form, and then He sacrificially gave His life to pay for every person’s sin.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Once we have accepted His gift of salvation by recognizing our sin and repenting of it, asking for His rescue from the penalty of sin, we still must daily confess sin.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10
Without confession, we, like the Pharisee, will approach God as if we need no mercy. We will build an iron curtain that separates us from His fellowship and relationship. However, with honest confession comes every beautiful blessing God has for His children.
I acknowledged my sin unto thee,
and mine iniquity have I not hid.
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord;
and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found:
surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble;
thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:
I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:5-8
I pray this is as much a blessing to you as it was to me. It was a necessary reminder of the glory, wonder, and perfection of the God with whom we can have a relationship. Have a blessed weekend, my friends!
His Song in the Night 