Confession/Absolution

Sin and God’s forgiveness of sin was at the heart of the Lutheran Reformation in the 16th century. In many respects it all came down to a matter of conscience. Luther wrestled with the problem of sin. He struggled with the idea of penance and making satisfaction for one’s sins and for the sins of others. What gave Him comfort? Christ and His total satisfaction for sin! The Lutheran Reformation changed everything with respect to confession and absolution.

We’re on a journey through the liturgy. My intent in writing these brief articles is not to present a full-blown history or even pick apart every aspect of the liturgy. My intent is to make it practical and to help you understand and appreciate why we worship the way we do. My hope is that your continued meditation on each part of the Divine Service will unlock new doors of appreciation for the liturgy and Lutheran worship and that it will have an impact in your daily life.

It’s October, which means Reformation. I said above that the Lutheran Reformation changed everything with respect to confession and absolution. That’s the truth. In the Small Catechism, Luther teaches that confession has two parts: First that we confess our sins. Second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness from the pastor as from God Himself. On the basis of God’s Word, Luther restored the real reason for confession—The Gospel of Jesus Christ!

We go to confession because God commands it, for sure. But more to the heart of the matter, we go to confession because we have a loving God who promises to forgive us, no questions ask. He places no conditions on it. We confess. He forgives. Our unrighteousness gets exchanged with our Savior’s righteousness. What better reason to go to confession than that, whether you’re talking about corporate or private confession.

I’d like to add one more thing to this brief discussion, a practical implication of confession and absolution. Some see it as archaic. Some wonder why we make such a big deal over it. Why do Lutherans still practice confession and some congregations even weekly? As I said before, it’s the Gospel. Jesus sets us free. Jesus “looses” us from our sins, the sins through which Satan tries to keep us in bondage. That has tremendous implications in our daily lives. Hear me out.

I would suggest to you that confession and absolution trains us in our life together. I share this with couples in pre-marriage instruction, emphasizing the importance of confession and absolution in the church and also in marriage. Marriage is the clearest expression of forgiveness, but not the only one. Our life together is built on confession and absolution. To experience how God deals with us, forgiving our sins no questions asked, teaches and equips us in how we deal with one another.

When you confess your sins to God and He forgives you no questions asked, what does that say about our life together in the body of Christ? It means that no sin that anyone has committed against you is too big to hold on to, to hold against them. That’s the benefit of regular participation in the means of grace, especially confession and absolution in the Divine Service. It trains you in that blessed truth. And when that plays out in our life together as Christians, especially in the bonds of holy marriage, that has (or should have!) incredible, practical impact. What better place for husband and wife to be that in the Lord’s house, confessing sin and receiving God’s amazing grace! The same goes for all God’s people, single or married.

I’m thankful for the Reformation! Confession and absolution is at the heart of our life with God and our life together. The Gospel is at the heart of both. Christ has made satisfaction for your sins, your neighbor’s sins, your spouse’s sins. In Christ, God is faithful and just to forgive all your sins (all of them!) and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. The next time you confess your sins in the Divine Service, recognize the implications for you before God and before your neighbor. It’s incredible! And what better to say than “Amen!”