WATCHWORD:
If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. 1 John 1:8-10 The Message
Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Look, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing happen to you.” John 5:14-15 The Message
Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?” 11 “No one, Master.” “Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” John 8:9-10 The Message
Meditation:
No Sin? Really?
Surely, you jest. You don’t look like the kind that would deceive yourself and I know for a fact that truth is in you. So, what is your story? Oh, you don’t say. You say you have so many sins? That many, huh? That is quite a lot. Me? Ah, let me count… Well, I have a lot, too. You say God purified your heart when you told Him all about those sins. You told Him ALL of those? You did. How did that make you feel? Clean? Free? Oh, that’s nice.
I’ve heard that confession is good for the soul. You think I should give it a try? How did you do that? You say you just told Him all about each one in the course of your conversation with God. Are there special words I have to use? No? What’s that? Oh, I have to be serious and committed to surrendering them to Him. So, all I have to do is to ask God to forgive my sins? That sounds easy. I think I’ll give it try. Thank you.
I remember reading that Archbishop Johann von Staupitz was Martin Luther’s confessor when he was in seminary. The young friar was plagued by thoughts of spiritual inadequacy and felt compelled to confess it all. At least once, Luther spent six hours confessing to Staupitz, who came to dread young Luther coming for confession.
What is the purpose of confession, you might ask? My non-theological response to that is, when we come before the Lord with our burden of sin on our heart, and acknowledge that sin before Him, we believe that we are forgiven and we are cleansed and purified. It sounds simple, but it requires a heart full of commitment and serious prayerful intent. There is a difference between admitting or acknowledging your sin and confessing it. Confession carries with it a commitment to purge ourselves of that sin and for that we need the Lord’s assistance.
We believe that through confession we actually align ourselves with the justice of God and we are forgiven through Jesus Christ, for he is the only one without sin and is the only one qualified to offer sacred forgiveness. Confession, whenever and wherever it occurs, in your home or in church, in the privacy of your relationship with God or in conversation with a confessor, it is part of our worship of our Lord because when we confess we purify our heart and make it worthy of worship.
May the Lord grant us an openness to bring before Him the full array of our sins. Amen.
On Your Faith Journey:
Shout hooray and laugh out loud. Have a positive attitude. Know you are forgiven. Go fly a kite, literally. Share the peace.
Closing Prayer:
Yes, Lord, I pray that You would grant me an openness to bring before You all the sins that have filled my life, sins of words spoken, actions taken, times when I’ve been blind and ignored the need of others You brought before me. Forgive me those times, Lord, I pray. Help me to be closer to the person You want me to be, Lord, and I can only do that with the strength of Your spirit within me. It is with gratitude, that I offer these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
