Ours is a nation founded on the expansive and isolating frontier. Our culture springs from rugged individualism and is directly opposed to the principle of interdependence necessary for Christian community.
Yet living in true Christian community requires vulnerability and honesty with one another. It requires honest evaluation of our own sinfulness, weakness, and character flaws. It requires that, having admitted these, we share them with the embracing community of fellow-saints who have their own weaknesses.
We fear that confession of failure makes us weak. We fear that vulnerability exposes us to onslaught.
While it is true that vulnerability exposes us, if it is in the context of the love Jesus commanded us to bear for one another, it is an exposure for the better. It can be like the exposure we allow to a surgeon. In actuality, confession makes us whole and strong. It takes courage and initiative, but it returns a dividend of greater strength, greater courage, clearer character, and enhanced Godlikeness.
