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.” vs. 5
Psalm 32:1-6
Because the world is both good and broken, humans have been conscious of their need for forgiveness from the beginning. And while it should be a relatively easy matter to offer an expression of remorse to the one we have offended, and then receive a word of forgiveness, for some reason the process is not that easy. Sin is complicated and comes in a variety of forms and seems to require our involvement in a sacrificial or penitential system in order to receive a satisfactory level of absolution.
But whatever the ritual we use, and whether or not a priest or pastor is involved, the insight of the psalmist seems to get to the heart of the matter. If restoration is going to take place, there will have to be an acknowledgment of our sin before God. We can’t bury our sin or run away from it – if we try, the guilt will eat us alive. But when we confess our transgressions to the Lord, either privately or publicly, the Lord will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The ritual seems to work best when an intermediary is involved, often a priest or a pastor. Not only will they hear us, they will be able to offer the sweet affirmations that come with absolution.
Thought for the Day: When has confession been good for my soul?
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