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confession

"P: Most merciful God,
C: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Holy name. Amen."

– from the Brief Order of Confession and Forgiveness, in Lutheran Book of Worship

Last week we studied the Last Supper. Ending with "Who would betray Jesus?" It turns out we all betray Jesus in small ways and sometimes in very large ways. The complexity of human nature makes this dynamic all too common. Christians are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and ensure that they do not allow greed, pride, or other negative traits to lead them away from GOD. When we do find ourselves at odds with our Lord and Savior, we need to repent. Use our missteps to inspire our return to Jesus, seeking a deeper and stronger relationship with God, and embrace the grace and forgiveness offered.

Today we read the order of confession to remind us that we need to repent of our sins. We need to come to GOD with a contrite heart. We must have true sorrow for our sins and a firm resolution to amend our life. Our contrition is expressed through the act of confession, and it is only after this that the pastor can grant absolution. Our hearts and minds must be right for this sacrament to be valid and effective. Our life needs to be obedient to the teachings found in the Holy Scriptures.
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