Confession and Absolution - Week 1 (Monday Morning Devotions)
As we dive into the New Year, as well as prepare for the season of Lent, Pastor Ricky Jacob leads us through a devotion series on Confession and Absolution.
I find that one of the biggest challenges for people today, when it comes to their sins, is the inability to 'forgive themselves.' Maybe this holds true for you, too. Or maybe you know of someone whose regrets are so great that they can not forgive and forget, or at least not dwell on what they have done. This often leads them to drinking, drugging, despair, and sometimes desperation.
To be honest it is impossible to 'forgive oneself' for a wrong that you have done to someone else. Is it acceptable if someone would steal from you and then admit it and go on to forgive himself? Can someone use that argument in a court of law? Judge, you can not charge me with this crime since I have already forgiven myself. So stop wasting my time and have a nice day.
On the other hand, I don't think that this is what is meant when one says that I am unable to 'forgive myself.' Whatever the sin, whatever the wrong you have done, whatever the hurt or pain or sorrow that you have brought on others overwhelms you. It usually was never your intent to have your actions lead to the suffering of others but the reality is that it did.
Now you wish that you could have a do-over. You wish that you could go back in time and have a second chance. That is not going to happen. If you are someone who is able to 'get over' this feeling, there will be reminders along the way and other people that will never let you fully forget what you did . . . or you failed to do!
So what words of wisdom can I offer you today? Let us turn to God's Word and learn from the apostle John:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1st John 1:9).
These words 'if we confess our sins' sound way too simple. The first part is the hardest part though. One is often able to justify his or her actions of wrongdoing. One is often able to shift the blame on to others, or their upbringing, or what others have done or failed to do for them.
To confess one's sins is to take responsibility for one's actions or one's failure to act in a loving way to one's neighbor, one's self and ultimately to one's Creator. To confess one's sins to your Creator is to give them up to Him. By so doing, He has good news for you.
"He is faithful and just and to forgive [you...] and to cleanse [you] from all unrighteousness." Now that is Good News indeed. How? His Son Jesus suffered and died in your place and offers you His righteousness. By God's grace, we accept His mercy and can rest assured that we are forgiven!