Yes, there is a new beginning. There is new life. This fresh start is partly prepared for by willingness to admit where one has failed to be and do what he or she was to be and do.

Once, after a relationship breakup, I wrote the other person involved and asked forgiveness. I got an email reply. The words were kindly written. The person assured me she held no wrong against me. However, though we both had hurt each other much, there was no word of admission or request for forgiveness in return. Yet, I was relieved I had placed on paper words asking forgiveness, and by doing that, I was better enabled to move on and begin afresh.

All confession is freely given or is not true confession. And to say "I was wrong" or "I apologize for" or ... prepares you to be, as Jesus teaches, "exalted," or "lifted up."

This does not make you better than anyone else; being better is not the point - never has been. The person who offered to me no word of confession, that person is not less better than I. We need to move beyond the self-righteousness whereby we esteem ourselves better for doing only what we are supposed to do in the first place, regardless of what someone else does.