CD - Confession and Absolution - Psalm 51:1-4

Confession is not a sacrament, at least not according to the narrow definition we have for a sacrament, but confession is a means of grace. Confession is a means through which our Lord comes to give us the forgiveness of sins.

Confession and absolution has two parts as we have read and memorized. The two parts are first that we confess our sins and second that we are given forgiveness. These two parts do not negate the fact that we are to be sorry for our sins and I do not mean that we are to be sorry that we were caught in our sin, but we are to truly grieve that we have sinned against God and our brother or sister in Christ. Yes, we sin, not only against our brother or sister in Christ, but against Christ Himself. For whenever we sin against another, we are sinning against Christ Himself.

The second part of confession is absolution, that is that we are absolved from our sins. Our sins have been washed away. We are free. We are free from the sin and from any guilt attached to the sin. Should we continue to feel guilt it is because we have not repented or we have not been given and taken hold of Christ’s forgiveness.

Notice, that contrary to what some would preach and have you believe, there is not third part. There is no satisfaction. How can there be satisfaction? There is no need for satisfaction, as Christ has paid the price for our sins. He has made satisfaction for our sins, thus none is left to “make.” Notice also, that if the forgiveness of sins is announced, i.e. “I am sorry,” “You are forgiven,” why is there need for, “Now go and work off your forgiveness by . . . ”? After step two, forgiveness is announced, what more is there to “work off?”

There is confession. There is Absolution. There is forgetting. To forgive is to forget. To remember, especially to remember in order to gain vengeance is to not forgive. Certainly, we are not computers which can have our memories erased, but we can put it out of our memory in the way of not being forgiving. And this we do with the help of the Lord who first forgives us.

Dear Lord, forgive me for all my sins, and as You forgive me my sins grant me a willing spirit to forgive those who have sinned against me. Also, dear Lord, as You forgive me my sins, give me relief from the guilt and fear that often haunt me because of the trouble I have in being given Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.