Conviction and Absolution

This week we segue from the consideration of Confession and Absolution declared by the Pastor in our corporate gathering for worship, to the same declaration of forgiveness in Private Confession.

An immediate question can be anticipated, “If the Church appointed ambassador declares the forgiveness of sins upon the joint confession of sins in the Brief Order for Confession, why would it be encouraged or beneficial to seek this gift of forgiveness in Private Confession?”

Good question! One way to attack this question is to ask what is the most helpful way to help us overcome our doubts and to trust in God’s rich promises. To the point with confession and absolution, it is necessary to come to believe and trust God in at least two matters. First, we need to trust His verdict that we are sinners. When we come to believe this we become convicted. And such conviction can indeed be painful. But it also can move us to seek forgiveness.

And secondly, it is necessary that we come to believe and trust that Christ atoned for our sins on the Cross and that the gift of forgiveness is freely offered to repentant sinners who confess their sin and ask for forgiveness. If we did not believe that this gift was intended for us, there would be little point in confessing our sins.

A personal word is likely to be more reassuring than a general word that indeed the gift of forgiveness is for me! When I hear the words that Christ died for the sins of the world, my doubt may kick in with the thought “Well He might have died for most people’s sins, but I’m not sure that it did for mine. Perhaps I’m an exception?” What a comfort to hear up close and personal, “Pastor Tim, Christ died for your sins,” and then to hear, “I forgive you your sins, in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Since You Asked…

What good purpose is there in signing oneself (making the sign of the cross with the hand over one’s head and breast)?

This gesture’s main purpose is to remind us of our baptism where the sign of the cross was first made on our foreheads. The cross is a powerful symbol which reminds us of the depths of God’s love for us – He loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. In Holy Baptism we have been joined to Christ. Every time we sign ourselves we declare that we belong to Christ and that we desire to live for Him. We give visible expression that we serve the One, True God who has revealed Himself to us in three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.