WAKEN OUR HEARTS

 

November 4, 2024

Psalm 32:5

I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin. 

 

Romans 3:23-24

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

 

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t like confessing our wrongs. It’s not fun and it can be very uncomfortable. Or maybe you just don’t know how to confess your sins. The reality is many of us simply avoid this practice and in doing so we miss out of the growth and joy that God has for us.

Often, the Reformation is perceived nothing more than a period of intense theological debate. While this is true, it was a time of profound theological implications, however, it would be incorrect to say that is all it was about. The Reformation was not just about ideas; it was dedicated to the "Gospel," emphasizing a careful understanding of the gospel for the benefit of individuals and the salvation of souls.

The Reformation was a diverse movement. But at its center was a concern for the well-being of souls. Remember, its leaders were pastors at pains to lead their flock, and others from around the world, to the forgiveness that God offered, and the resulting experience of living hope, the knowledge of God’s care and presence in the real hardships of living and the promise of resurrection.

So, the practice of confession became important during this historical period because it was an important and frequent theme in the Bible. In the Bible, confession is shown in a very positive light. Confessing our sins, our negelect of others, our actions and attitudes, according the Bible's teaching should bring JOY into our life.

Perhaps the example of The Prodigal Son parable illustrates this.

A son boldly asked his father for the inheritance he could expect to receive after his father’s death. It was a deeply offensive and hurtful thing to do, especially since he abandoned the family immediately after receiving it. After wasting everything he was given, his desperate situation reminded him of the benefits of his father’s household. He knew he had relinguished his inheritance and his position as a son, so he made up his mind:

"I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15:18-19)

The son’s confession revealed he understood what he had become. He knew the offense to God and the offense to his father. He also knew that he was asking for more than he deserved.

But the father, who had been hoping his son would return, surprised him: “…let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:23-24)

This story serves as a dramatic example of why you can have confidence you’ll “…receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) God’s merciful nature is the subject of this parable, and emphasizes for us the truth that 1 John declares that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8)

Remember, "All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Thanks be to God!

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Here is a Prayer of Confession that is adapted from the prayers of Martin Luther.

Let us Pray

Waken our hearts, O Lord, our God;
make them ever watchful to serve You and Your purposes.

Trouble us with the smallness of our vision and work.
Trouble us with the greatness of Your command to make disciples of all nations.
Trouble us with Your great love for sinners and our own slowness to make You our greatest love.
Trouble us with the brevity of our lives and time, talent, and treasure not invested in eternity.

Comfort us by drawing us to Yourself with the cords of Your
unfailing mercy.
Comfort us, O Lord, with the assurance of our salvation and
unending glory with You when we suffer and are afflicted.

Rekindle in us a renewed desire
for the coming of Your glorious kingdom
when all wrongs will be made right,
when everything that is broken will be made whole,
and when we will trade a cross for a crown.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.