The Freedom of Confession

 

Christians and clergy in America have become very uncomfortable with the idea of sin. Our Holy Scriptures and our Book of Common Prayer have not.

Jesus did not come to die so people could find “God in themselves” or make the world a more moral place (any of the writers of Scripture would be bewildered by such a belief). Yet this is a standard narrative amongst many of our clergy and churches in the Anglican communion (conservative and progressive). To believe this is to make a complete mockery of the content of our liturgy for Ash Wednesday and the good Scripture-based theology behind it.

Jesus came for sinners who were separated and alienated from God. Without repentance and faith, there is no spiritual life and salvation. In Christ, through the waters of baptism of his one, holy, and catholic church, we become forgiven, righteous, and holy – but we do not realize these things ultimately until our bodily resurrection. And so, we still struggle with sin and the need to confess those sins, so they do not control us, distract us, or prevent us from realizing the healing and redeeming touch of our saving Lord and Christ.

Confession is not about accepting more guilt and shame. When we sin, we will experience guilt and shame, and the “great accuser of the brethren” can’t wait to join in. However, Christ took our guilt and shame at the cross and does not want us to remain in this emotional or intellectual state.

As we are told by the Psalmist:

Psalm 32:title–5 (NRSV)

1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.

2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

1 John 1:8–10 (NRSV)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

I could share many more scriptures, but suffice it to say that growing in holiness means accepting, denouncing, and turning from sin. There is no way of avoiding the “theological tension” and mystery of being positionally redeemed and, yet, simultaneously, sinners in need of a savior. This is God’s way of saving and bringing us to His final kingdom.

As we will see in future articles, the confession of sin is private and communal. Confession is not to be feared but is a place of healing, power, and freedom. Like a patient with a bad toothache, we bring our problem to those who can help us fight the infection. As crucial as our communal confession is on Sundays, personal confession in prayer to God and a constant turning from our sin through the power of the Holy Spirit are also central to our spiritual hope and spiritual growth.

But if we play the old game of “I am not a mess,” or “I am doing just fine,” and “confession is for other people with bigger sins,” we reveal the toothache and its corresponding infection has made deep inroads into our lives. When we think this way, despite the constant and growing pain, we remain terrified to face the things that enslave us and steal our joy.

Well, it is off to the dentist for me. How about you?