CONFESSION OF SIN AND THE GOSPEL
Dear Friends,
I think some people could come to our service and be a bit confused by it. Questions like this are very possible. “You folks say that you are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. You say that God forgave all your sins on the cross. But every Sunday you confess your sins. How does that make sense?” A similar question would be, “Doesn’t having a time of confession every week, followed by the minister giving absolution, demonstrate that you don’t believe the Gospel?” One longish point and a few short points.
What we do is very biblical. The Bible teaches two complementary truths. First, that you are completely and utterly saved by the person and work of Christ which you receive entirely by faith. Second, it teaches that you need to practice ongoing repentance for the sin you are guilty of that day. There are many places in the Bible that this is taught, here is one example. Read the book of Colossians. It is very clear from beginning to end that you are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. But then in 3:5-12, you have the command to “put off” sin, and then a list of sins is provided. To “put off,” means to repent and renounce the sin which still besets you. Immediately after this, you are told (3:10-17) to “put on” virtue. The biblical teaching on God’s gracious salvation is “at one” with its teaching to continue repenting of sin until you see Jesus face-to-face. Our service models this. All of our services strive to be faithful to the Biblical, Gospel theology of the English Reformation. The 1662 BCP is almost identical to the 1552 BCP. You confess your sin, asking for mercy, not for your own sake, but, “for Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ sake”. The confession ends “Grant that we may hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honour and glory of Your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (emphasis added here and following). The minister then announces forgiveness, ending with the key clarifying comment, “bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Then, very powerfully, the minister reminds all present of four scripture sentences. He begins by saying “Hear what comfortable words our saviour Christ says unto all that truely turn to Him.” The minister then quotes two passages from the Gospel, followed by a quote from Paul and a quote from John.
“Come to me, all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.” Matthew 11:28
“God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“This is a true saying, and worthy of all people to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15
“If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 2:1
So at the heart of the English Reformation, the Anglican Way, is the pronouncing of these four powerful Gospel verses to the congregation. Four Bible texts that make the Gospel very clear. Five very brief comments.
First, as you live between justification and glorification, you still need to confess your daily sin.
Second, when you live between justification and glorification, you can look at your life, see your sin, and confess it.
Third, the time nestled between justification and glorification is a time of sanctification. In that time you strive to put off vice and put on virtue.
Fourth, daily confession of sin is evidence not attainment. In other words, you are not attaining salvation - that gift is given by God and you are justified. Instead, daily confession of sin is giving daily evidence that you need the Lord Jesus Christ.
Fifth, when confession nestles between justification and glorification, it emerges out of gratitude and hope, not manipulation and presumption.
George+