They say that confession is good for the soul, but it all depends on who's around to hear it.

          Four preachers went fishing.  During the afternoon one of them said, "Our people come to us and pour out their hearts, confess their sins and problems.  Let's do the same.  Confession is good for the soul."  They all agreed.  One confessed he liked a racy movie and sometimes watched one in a hotel.  The second confessed to liking brandy and a cigar now and then, and the third one confessed to playing poker when he could sneak away.  But when it came to the fourth one, he said nothing.  The others pressed him saying, "Come now, we confessed ours.  What is your secret vice?"  Finally he answered, "It is gossiping and I can hardly wait to get out of here."

          Confessing our sins is not easy; in fact, it is difficult.  It makes us uncomfortable.  After all, we like to think of ourselves as being good people who try to please God.  Confession, we think, puts us in a negative light and makes us look bad.  And then some counselors today tell us to avoid the idea of sin, that if we don't think bad things, we won't do bad things.

          People are reluctant to confess their sins because they think others will think less of them.  The modern church has all but abandoned the idea of private confession, and even though we do have a time of public Confession and absolution in the worship service, we're one of the few churches that still do.  There was a time when the church required private confession, and though requiring it was bad, private confession is still very good.

          St. John once wrote familiar words: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  He also said in the next verse, "If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."  Chances are very good few of us would claim to be without sin, but even fewer of us would want others to know what they are.

          Today under our continuing theme of "Restoration," I want us to consider the importance of confession and absolution.  I am not so much speaking of a formal process of baring one's soul before a priest, as I am of having Christians unburden themselves with each other from the weight of unforgiven sin.

          We usually do our confessing before God.  I'd like to suggest we involve another person, a pastor or a trusted Christian friend.  This is especially true if we have some unconfessed sin that's bothering us, ones we need to unload somewhere.

          When we fail to confess those troubling sins, whom are we most likely to fool?  God?  Other people?  St. John says we're only deceiving ourselves.  When we deny our sins, and many people do today, we deny our need for Jesus Christ.  We're telling Him we don't need Him.  "Thanks very much, Lord, but I can do this on my own."  But who are we kidding by thinking that?

          There's a big difference between denying our sins and confessing our sins.  Denial is avoiding the truth.  Confession means telling the truth.  It means stating the facts about what we've done wrong.  We even use the same word in "confessing" our faith, telling the truth about what we believe about God.  In confession, we show our need for God's forgiveness in Jesus Christ.  We're telling God and perhaps another person that we need help in dealing with the sins that bother us.

          Someone has written there are five "A's" involved in confession:
ADMIT specific sins, bad attitudes, sinful words or sinful actions, against people, God.
APOLOGIZE, express sincere sorrow for the things you've done wrong.
ACCEPT the consequences of your sins, which often separate you from others, God.
ALTER your behavior - change what you've been doing, with others and with God.
ASK for forgiveness - God can give it, but we can't earn it.  It comes from His mercy.

          Confession is important.  Martin Luther said in his catechism, "Before a minister - or fellow Christian - we should confess those sins we know and feel in our hearts.  Before God, though, we should confess all sins, even those we don't know about, and God who sees the heart, will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (Luther's Small Catechism, Confession)

          Years ago, a priest told of how the children of his parochial school were required to come to confession, but that some of the younger ones could never think of what to say.  So he suggested that teachers have the students make lists so they'd know what to say in confessional.  The following week one child came into the booth, and the priest could hear him unfolding paper.  The boy began, "I lied to my parents.  I disobeyed my mom.  I fought with my brothers, I didn't do my homework, and..."  There was a long pause, and a small angry voice said, "Hey, this isn't my list!"

          Luther also wrote that confession embraces two parts: "First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor - or another Christian - as from God Himself, and not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven." (Luther's Small Catechism, Confession)

          Absolution means with hearing the words, "I forgive you," from a live person.  Christians can say that to each other, and mean it.  Absolution is a holy thing, given from God for us to give each other.  So often when someone says, "I'm sorry," we say, "that's okay", or "no problem."  But sin is not okay!  It is a problem!  Those phrases may seem helpful, but they haven't half the power of those three words, "I forgive you."  That's what people need to hear.  That's what we need to teach our children.

          If you think about it, forgiveness is about the most precious gift we can give each other.  Wives need to forgive husbands and kids need to forgive parents.  Forgiveness is a gift that comes from God and is passed on to others.  God forgives us, and so we forgive each other.  When we confess, that is, we admit we've done wrong, only then are we open to real, genuine forgiveness.

          In 1884 Grover Cleveland was running against James G. Blaine for the presidency of the United States.  Blaine supporters discovered that Cleveland, a bachelor at the time, had fathered a son by an attractive widow.  Subsequently, his opponents tried to pin an immorality tag on him by distributing handbills showing an infant labeled, "One more vote for Cleveland."  Some led paraders on the streets chanting, "Ma, Ma, where's my pa?  Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha!"  Those tactics, however, backfired badly.  Rather than denying the story, Cleveland told the truth and admitted what he'd done.  It would be a miracle if any candidate today would publicly admit any wrongdoing.  But confession is always good for the soul.

          Remember what John wrote, "But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  Those last words are important, too - "...and purify us from all unrighteousness."  Forgiveness cleanses us, purifies us, unburdens us.  Our forgiving others unburdens them, too.  Forgiveness is a gift we can share.  You get it from God, and then you share it with others.

          We all need to get the log out of our own eyes.  Instead of attacking others or dwelling on their wrongs, we need to take responsibility for our selves and our sins.  When we confess our sins and are forgiven, God will help us change our old attitudes and bad habits.  He'll also help us repair any harm we may have caused.

          Some of you may be thinking, "Are you ready for this, Pastor?  Are you willing to hear my confession?"  Yes.  I've done it before, but not often enough.  I doubt people will be breaking down the doors in the coming days, but I am ready to listen.  And whatever you say stays there.  The confessional is holy and it is closed.  If even one person can unburden himself or herself, this sermon will be worth gold.  And if it's not with me, there is another Christian out there who will hear you.  A word of caution - don't use your spouse as your confessor.  Let someone else bear that burden.

          Restoration begins with God.  He has loved us in His Son Jesus.  He forgives us when we ask Him in faith.  He purifies us to live better.  No one can take the place of God, but another Christian with a good ear and a bad memory is the next best thing.  May God always grant us His grace and holy absolution, amen.

Copyright © 2004 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.