We stand for Confession leading to Faith!

Private confession is not an outdated practice.  It may have fallen out of fashion, but it is certainly not out of necessity or usefulness.

If you are troubled by your sins (I certainly hope your sins trouble you) then it is more than appropriate that you bring those sins to your pastor, confess them to him, and allow him to forgive you under the authorty of Christ Himself.

No one should be compelled to do this.  Confession should come freely from a person to their pastor.  That is because confession flows freely from a conviction that your sins will be forgiven for the sake of Christ.

Confession, and the subsequent Absolution (forgiveness) are meant to strengthen faith in Christ.  This is why, when you confess your sins to the pastor, and he forgives you, he will NOT then tell you to go and pray 50 Psalms, or to help 10 people, or give $1000 to the Church. 

There is no need to do anything to "make up" for your sin, because Jesus has already done that.  Rather, when you have been absolved from your sins in the name of Jesus, your pastor will probably not say anything.  Of course he might offer you extra comfort if that is stil necessary, but he will give you no command. 

Your pastor only wants you to trust that Jesus Christ has done all.  Jesus suffered and died for your sins, even the most rescent one.  Christ rose from the dead to give you a newness of life.  The entire goal of confession is that you would, all the more, cling to the cross of Jesus for your salvation.

[Tomorrow: We stand for True Righteousness!]

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