It is our privilege every Sunday, as we begin our worship service in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, to be reminded that “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
And then the pastor speaks these words, “Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.” And we then speak these words, “Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. 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 neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
It is then that the pastor, as the servant of God, speaks these consoling and comforting words to each one of us, “Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
This blessing of Confession and Absolution we need to experience every Sunday. And it is a blessing that we want every sinner to experience with us. Let us invite them to join us.
