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| Volume 18 Number 3 March 2016 | Page 16 |
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| Volume 18 Number 3 March 2016 | Page 16 |
Secret Sisters
Louis Rushmore, Editor
Someone notes that the “Secret Sister” program was associated with some apostate congregations of the churches of Christ in years past and it is a part of some denominational programs today. Furthermore, there may be facets of the “Secret Sisters” program formerly conducted by apostates and presently by denominational people that may be out of harmony with Scripture. The question, then, “Is the 'Secret Sister' program something to be avoided, and if so, what does its use by some congregations of the Lord’s church say about them?”
Certainly, faithful Christians and biblically sound congregations do not want to do anything that is anti-scriptural. Yet, just because someone else abuses something or someone does not necessarily disqualify a thing. For instance, just because false teachers and denominational people enter their meetinghouses through doorways doesn’t obligate faithful Christians and churches of Christ to access their buildings through the windows instead of through the doors. In other words, faithful Christians do not have to practice anti-scriptural behavior or lend themselves to abuses characteristic of others.
If what is styled “Secret Sisters” has merit or even if it is neither especially good nor bad, participants in it may choose to uplift and encourage each other as well as experience fellowship among sisters in Christ. If the general principles involved in “Secret Sisters” are either admirable or harmless and innocent as practiced by Christian sisters, then it is not anti-scriptural.
Confessing Sins
Louis Rushmore, Editor
Someone poses the question, “Is it necessary to confess your sin to your parents?” First, a child of God who sins needs to confess or acknowledge his or her sins to God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJV). Confessing one’s sins to God is part of the process of repentance. “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22).
Secondly, Christians need to confess or acknowledge their sins to each other. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). In addition, dependent children and their parents have a relationship before God where the parents are responsible for guiding the children (Ephesians 6:1-4). Therefore, it may be necessary for children to confess or acknowledge their sins to their parents, particularly about publicly known sins, owing both to the child-parental relationship as well as for Christians to acknowledge to fellow Christians their sins of which they repent.