Finding Strength In Forgiveness

4.18.21 1 John 1:8–2:2

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his Word is not in us. 1 My children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.

Finding Strength in Forgiveness

Just recently the Church Council went through a survey in order to evaluate what makes us tick. One purpose in this is in order to get us to know our strengths so that we can utilize those strengths and build on them as we work together. It’s called a “Strength Finder.” I have a very high restorative strength, which means that I really want people to get along and I want to get along. But there are times where my strong belief system realizes that someone needs to be confronted, which often brings conflict. So with these two competing strengths, I find that I am at war within myself.

When it comes to our relationship with God, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit in the exact opposite direction. He goes on a “sin finder.” He digs into our soul and points out our flaws and our weaknesses. As Christians, God primarily wants us to do our own sin finding of the soul by searching through the Word. Here’s an example. Just this past week, in going through the book of Matthew and studying when Jesus calms the storm, the disciples came to Him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” When we studied that, we gained insight into our own sinful natures. When we are going through a near-drowning situation, one of the first things we tend to do is ACCUSE God of NOT CARING. And that’s a pretty terrible thought to have about someone. Sin finding reflects on the thoughts and accusations we come up with in the midst of trouble.

It shouldn’t be too hard to see plenty of flaws. John says, 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. The first sin is to say we have no sin. Now who would say that? The world would say it, first of all. Everyone is basically good. Everyone can find their own truth and just be themselves. The only “sin” people commit today is by calling anything a sin or telling anyone to change. So they prefer to be stuck in their sin, no matter how destructive it is. And we can see what it is doing to our society. It’s a sad thing.

Any seasoned Christian shouldn’t have a problem with calling themselves sinners. We’re all sinners. As good Lutherans we repeat it every week. But the sinful nature can even use this confession as a non-confession. What do I mean? When we say, “We all sin,” or “we are sinful from birth” couldn’t we in effect be watering it down or making excuses for it in our minds? For instance, it’s one thing to admit, “I’m bad with money.” But then when my spouse points out a specific purchase I made that was foolish and he or she is angry at me for that SPECIFIC thing, then I get angry and defensive. Why? Because that sin made me feel foolish and selfish. How often do we do that, in effect denying ANY SPECIFIC sin? We come up with reasons why we did what we did - how your spouse MADE you that way. Or we over react and say, “I just can’t do ANYTHING right.” Why? So that the other spouse will be defensive and tell us things that are GOOD about us. A child doesn’t do his homework, so he immediately comes up with excuses. “I didn’t know. You didn’t remind me. I forgot. It was too much. I was sick.”

What does God want from us? It’s not anything in-depth. If we confess our sins . . . The literal word in the Greek is to “homologeo” it. You don’t have to invent anything. You don’t have to make stuff up. Say the same thing with a sense of remorse and sorrow over what you’ve done. Speak back to God what He is saying about your sin. Confirm it. “You’re right God. This is where I sinned. This is how I sinned, just as you said.” Maybe get down into the nitty gritty and search deep down into your soul, find out and confess WHY you sinned, without pointing the finger at everyone else. Be HONEST with yourself.