Comments on: “Your sins are forgiven.”

By: catechismatic95

catechismatic95 — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:13:34 +0000

As I watched this scene, I could not help but think of one book, “The Hammer of God” by Bo Giertz and specifically the first story with the man who was experiencing a death bed agony of conscience.

By: Rev. Jonathan C. Watt

Rev. Jonathan C. Watt — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:43:30 +0000

pr. Schultz! I concur with your comments on the rite of Confession / Absolution. It is a wonderful vehicle for God’s Word and very pointed. pr. Wolfmueller. David is always a great example and one *many* understand, and see themselves standing in his shoes.

By: Pr Bryan Wolfmueller

Pr Bryan Wolfmueller — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:10:45 +0000

What a scene! It is difficult to match the passion of the question with a written answer, but here’s a few ideas…

I would ask the man if he had heard he story of King David, and I would tell the story. David was an adulterer and murderer, and yet the Lord has forgiveness for him. How? Because Jesus was destroyed with the wrath of God that David deserved, that I deserved, that you deserved. Here John the baptist’s preaching come in, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” [John 1:29] Then I would speak the absolution, the forgiveness of all sins (using the same language that Nathan does with King David).

At this point you might want to stop and ask questions, etc., to make sure the forgiveness of sins is heard with clarity. The read and have a devotion on Psalm 51.

By: Ted R

Ted R — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:19:09 +0000

Thank you, Pastors, for your comments here! Great stuff.

Rev. Schultz, if you wouldn’t mind, maybe you could elaborate some of the details of the LCMS rite you’re speaking about? We have many folks who come through here who aren’t LCMS or aren’t Lutheran at all and won’t know what you’re referencing without some elaboration.

Oh, how I wish these things could have been on the ER episode. (Dreamer that I am!)

+Soli Deo Gloria+

By: Rev. David Schultz

Rev. David Schultz — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:09:29 +0000

What would I do? Go through the rite of confession and absolution. Fully face on, that knowingly or not, this man murdered. That for that, he does deserve hell. That is the law, which he really does know. He cannot save himself. But for this sin, Jesus did die, did atone (especially as he himself uses the word). That he cannot make up for it, but that Jesus did, and go through the absolution.
The rite of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, is far more effective than any mere counsel I could offer, and has the material laid out in a very, very clear way. The biggest challenge is, that if the pastor has any doubts over the words that he is saying, then the confessee will pick up on it and perhaps make the situation worse (in other words, the rite is not magic, but it is the living word of God.)
The rites of the church have the best words available, but sometimes, but the pastor must believe, or else members will pick up the pastor’s doubts. (Not that I want to be donatistic, the word of God is powerful in itself, but on the other hand, Lutherans don’t believe in ex opere operado either.)

By: Pr. Craig Donofrio

Pr. Craig Donofrio — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:12:15 +0000

The previous post says it pretty darn well.

I would only add this one.

Your sins are infinite, but the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ is even more infinite. YOU CANNOT OUT SIN THE GRACE OF CHRIST JESUS.

Jesus has forgiven even bigger siners than you.

By: Rev. Jonathan C. Watt

Rev. Jonathan C. Watt — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:34:19 +0000

“Sometimes its easier to feel guilty than forgiven.” A sad commentary to a man who is asking for forgiveness. The woman doesn’t give anything except more guilt.

The blog asks the question how would you council the person. I might begin by telling the story of a man who was wrongly accused, wrongly convicted, wrongly executed. Yet, his words were, “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.” If Jesus can forgive those who killed him he can and does forgive this man too. He says he wants someone to look him in the eye and give him answers. God’s Word is just that, concrete, real, tangible. Real answers to the real question, is atonement possible? Here’s a couple of gems:

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:5-9 ESV)

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:19-23 ESV)