IS CONFESSION/ABSOLUTION NECESSARY?

[salida]

No. You don't have to go around telling all the christians what your sins are and confess them. Maybe one - or a very very personal friend that is a believer. You might say "my weakness can be this sometimes". I would confess them to Christ and ask Him to forgive you of your sins daily. I do this when I pray.

Only God can forgive sins - so be detailed with Him is what is important. What this scripture means is that some christians may be a weakness in a specific area - and they have a close christian friend they tell this too - because it makes them more accountable. So, this christian friend may ask them in a week or two what have them been doing to bring this weakness under control. Also, this scripture means - you may casually say - I have a weakness with my temper to a close friend. This type of confession.

Yes, the work of the church does the work of God - but this isn't the same as meaning telling the whole world as if you were on a radio about your sins. Or screaming this on a housetop in your neighborhood.

 

[Billnew]

This is what I have heard:

1. Jesus offers forgiveness to any and all that will take it. No one else can clean you of sins. No robed man, no man with hats, no white collar, only God. These people are devoted followers but they put their sin on just like the rest of us, they put their foot in it one at a time.

2. We should find a trustworthy person to keep each other on track. SOmeone to answer too if we go astray, not to condemn us, but to help get us back to where we should be. We don't have to tell them every sin we have ever comitted. You have sinned today, probably several times, I have. You cannot tell them all.
We follow Gods path better when we work together, as one perosn is easily swayed from the path by satan. But where 2 or more are, there is strength.

3. Seek guidance from clergy or the trusted follower,
not to gossip, but to get another perspective. And a better view of which path is easier, and more importantly, which path is right. God doesn't just make the path hard, so the easy path might be the right one.
But it could also be the road away from God.

basically,
God/Jesus can clean you with his water of life, man can only help you find the stream and hand you the bucket.