Pastor's Monthly Reflection - DECEMBER

We Confess:  These words are often used at the beginning of worship in Lutheran congregations.  There are some standard prayers that are often used, although there are a variety of prayers that can be used to allow people to share with God the things that they feel a need to ask for forgiveness for.
Our understanding of the need for us to confess is that it is through forgiveness of sins, that we are made right with God.  Confession is to admit our sins and our sinfulness, speaking the truth about our lives with God so he can wash us clean in a way only God can do.
If we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9  NRSV
Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness.  Words of absolution tell us that, even though it is a pastor or a person declaring forgiveness to us, it is as from God Himself not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.
It is hard to say, “I was wrong. I am sorry Forgive me.” God’s Word makes it clear that the “wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). In confession and absolution, God’s Word is having its way with us, moving us to confess the truth about ourselves and our need for His forgiveness.
Because of Jesus Christ, confession and absolution should be experienced by us as a joyful, happy exchange!
“For our sake He made Him to be sin, who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” 2 Cor. 5:21. When Jesus hung on the cross, He became sin-for us. He was the ransom for sin. God poured out His just wrath on Christ so we can understand that He won peace between God and people, because there is no that we could do, of our own power or ability, to accomplish that forgiveness.
In confession, we understand that Christ takes the burden of our sin and gives us in exchange His complete forgiveness and love.
I often get asked “What sins should I confess tell God about?”  The best understanding I have of that, is found in the prayer of confession found on page 77 in the Lutheran Book of Worship.  “We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.  We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves.”
Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of as we do in the Lord’s Prayer when we say “Forgive us our trespasses (or sins) as we forgive others.) but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts. Which are these?  In an article I read about forgiveness and absolution I read recently; it was described in this way…  “Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments: Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome? Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything or done any harm?
When we confess our sins in the worship service we hear the Lord’s servant, our pastor, absolve our sins in the name of Christ.
We don’t need to go to the pastor privately to confess, but we can.  When we go to the pastor for confession and absolution privately, it is because we need to hear the promise of forgiveness in a more personal or deeper way.  For that, we contact the pastor and spend some time in reflection, regarding those sins we are most aware of and those sins that are particularly troubling to us. These we can confess to our pastor and hear the words of Christ reassuring us, “I forgive you.”
There is one more part to confession that our Small Catechism covers, called                  
“The Office of the Keys “.  It is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.
After His resurrection from the dead and before His ascension into heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ breathed on His apostles and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven” John 20:22-23.  That is a somber responsibility that we are called to take seriously and to practice in order that we unite with Christ in setting people free from the condemnation sin could result in, without the words and promise of absolution.  Absolution is the Lord’s life-giving, sure and certain word that does for us what no surgery, medicine, therapy, counseling, or advice can do for us. The Lord’s word of absolution doesn’t cover up or hide our sin. Nor does it give us only a temporary relief that soon fades away.   Our Lord’s word of absolution washes us clean and reconciles us to God.
We are called to rejoice in the forgiveness of sins that we receive from God.  We pray that as God forgives us, we may rejoice in the forgiveness of sins.  Our prayer is that God will give us the strength to stand strong when we are tempted and to avoid sinning. As we do that, we live lives that glorify Him.  Ultimately, we respond by seeking to please God by what we do or say, in word and in action, in accordance with His holy teachings and word, by his perfect will. We know only too well that we are not perfect, and we will likely miss the mark and sin again.  We always are aware of our sin and so we turn to our Lord, for refuge, calling on His boundless mercy, seeking His forgiveness for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our response then ought to be to take the time to thank God for the gift of confession and absolution!  AMEN