The Joy of Confession and Forgiveness

Concealing our sin brings only death, suffering, and pain, but confessing our sin brings life, forgiveness, healing, and true joy.

The Son of Man and Sinners

Jesus did not come to shun those who were separate from God, but rather to seek them out so that they might return to God.

Mark 2:13-17

The Son of Man and Sin

Jesus has the authority not only to heal physical illness but also to forgive and heal sin, restoring people to God’s favor.

Mark 2:1-12

Rest and Peace – The Heart of the Reformation

Understanding that we are saved by grace, justified by faith, forgiven through Christ, according to God’s word, to the glory of God is the key to the Christian faith and to entering God’s rest.

Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)

The Beautiful Community – Forgiveness

To express the love of the Trinity, the Church must be a beautiful community where the forgiveness offered in the Gospel is celebrated, received, and given.

Ephesians 4:29–5:2

The Younger Son’s Story

The younger son in the parable mistakenly thought that his identity and joy would be found through self-discovery and self-indulgence apart from the father’s presence and will.

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

The Father’s Heart

The father in the parable displays the merciful and gracious heart of God towards those who are lost.

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Dress for Success

Christians are called to walk according to their new nature, which requires being clothed in the virtues of Christ.

Colossians 3:12-17

The Joy of Confession and Forgiveness

Psalm 32 proclaims the joy of total forgiveness by God that awaits those who confess their sins and turn to Christ in faith.

Psalm 32

Biblical Confession and Repentance

Psalm 51 offers a comprehensive description of the traits and fruits of biblical confession and repentance for sin.

Psalm 51

A Word of Judgment, A Word of Forgiveness

God sends David a word of judgment and forgiveness, detailing the consequences for his sin, but also assuring Him of God’s love and covenant mercy that will prevail in the end.

2 Samuel 12:1-25

Jubilee

Jubilee was a year of freedom of sins forgiven, slaves set free, and restoration of inheritance, and it finds its fulfillment in Jesus.

Leviticus 25:8-12

Wrath

Wrath is a disordered love that desires justice to be enacted in my time, manner, and degree rather than in God’s.

James 1:19-20

The Importance of Forgiving One Another

Christians are called to be kind, forgiving one another in the same way God has forgiven us.

Ephesians 4:32

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

When we remind ourselves of God’s covenant love and forgiveness, it prompts us to a life of worship and loving obedience to our gracious Father.

Psalm 103

Authentic Atonement

When we sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus the Righteous One, who has provided authentic atonement for us – bearing the wrath of God and purifying us from sin, allowing us to freely come before the Father.

1 John 2: 1-2

The Authentic Response To Sin

If we deny our sin, we are deceived, but if we confess our sin, we are forgiven and cleansed.

1 John 1:5 – 2:2

Right and Wrong Responses To Sin

If we deny our sin, we are deceived, but if we confess our sin, we are forgiven and cleansed.

1 John 1:5-2:2

Grace Based Initiative

As we have been blessed with God’s grace through Jesus Christ, the gift of the Holy Spirit allows us to respond with grace to others in our relationships. God’s command to us for others is clear: Love others as He loves us.

1 John 4:7-11; 19-21

Slipping Over The Line

Relationships are ruptured when we sin against one another, but as those forgiven all of our sins through Christ, we must forgive one another so that the relationship can be restored.

Colossians 3:13

Slip of the Tongue

Relationships can be strengthened or damaged by words – which are the overflow of the heart – and repairing them requires confession and repentance in word and deed.

Proverbs 12:18