Coffee Klatch

There is nothing like the peace that comes from having a totally clear conscience.

Impossible you say? As long as we’re human and on earth we can’t have a clear conscience? God has designed a means of providing us the grace and peace of a clear conscience. It’s called Confession. “If we confess our sins, God, Who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

If we are forgiven and cleansed from “all unrighteousness,” that equals peace and a clear conscience. For real! What does “cleansed” mean if not CLEANSED? “To free from dirt, defilement, or guilt; purge or clean.” (from YourDictionary.com - http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/c/c0396500.html)

Many Protestant denominations (especially those that have arisen in the last 150 years) deny God the power to do what He has said He will, namely to “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” They say that He removes the penalty of our sin, but that He doesn’t actually CLEANSE us. But God has promised just that: CLEANSING. Imagine the power for daily living that is given to us when we daily confess our sins! When God cleanses us, we are renewed, the slate is cleaned and the guilt is purged. That gives us not only a true peace, but also the power to daily deny ourselves and follow Christ, to live our daily lives in a way that truly pleases God. This is something that we CANNOT do on our own; it is not in us to naturally honor God with our lives. That is the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

(Of course, you may still need to rectify things between you and some other person. God forgives you, but He also expects you to make things right (”be reconciled to your brother” - Matt. 5:23-24). To have a totally clear conscience, you must also do this other half of the equation.)

I encourage you to grab ahold of that peace and absolution that come from God through confession. That’s what it takes to restore a proper relationship with Him (And it IS a relationship–between you and the Living God!) and to honor Him with the thoughts of your mind, the words of your mouth, and the actions of your body. There is NO HIGHER GOAL or calling for mankind.

I leave you with the confession that is prayed at the beginning of practically every Lutheran service:

Most merciful God, 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.

Current music: “A New Age Holiday Collection,” purchased from the ShopKo store in Green Bay, Wisconsin, about nine years ago