In the previous week’s reflection, we noted the need to draw ourselves into the presence of God. This suggests we may have moved away and fallen from God’s grace. Sin is the obstacle that separates us from the love of God. In general, sin must be acknowledged and confessed in order to be forgiven. Several testimonies from the Bible make clear that God uses His Word to convict us of our sins and sinfulness. The Holy Spirit opens our heart for the reality of our lives: That is how we find out how dirty of sin we really are. But the Holy Spirit also brings us to Jesus Christ to find forgiveness of all our sins in Him.
Nobody can confess every sin he or she has done. We easily forget many of our sins. We only create an hindrance when we deliberately refrain from confessing particular sins, in order to continue doing these sins. But to be close to God again, to restore the relationship, you need to confess your sin and receive His forgiveness.
All we need is to admit our sins. Like the Psalmist, we are called to confess our sins and break with them:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us fromnall unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Besides, when you are aware of a certain sin, why would you refrain from confessing it to God?
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)
Prayer
Forgive your people who slumber,
when there is need for comfort or peace to be shown,
who hesitate where there is urgency for your love and grace to be known.
Forgive those of us who are weary of travelling,
tempted to go our own way.
Forgive and restore us Lord.
Amen
From the Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. Birch, John (2014).
Revd. A Nyawo