Daily Devotion – April 12, 2021 – Pastor Brian Hansen

1 John 1:5-9 

5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 

8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  

Almost every Sunday morning I have had the priveledge of reciting these words from 1 John 1: 8-9 as we join together in confessing our sins together and  receive absolution.  There is something I believe both helpful and powerful in acknowledging our brokenness before each other and in hearing that God forgives us all our sin.  As we come together to worship we come in the reality of brokenness and sin and we are invited in the forgiving power of God to go as those who have been restored to life.

A very good friend of mine who serves primarily older parishioners told me the story of a conversation with a parishioner of his.  He said that after a worship service he was visiting with a member of his community who asked the question, “do you really think God forgives us all our sins?”  His reply was of course yes but in numerous conversations with this person afterwards it seemed clear that whatever was driving that uncertainty in them was something they couldn’t quite believe God might forgive them for.

I love the fact that when we gather we hear that God forgives us ALL of our sins even the ones we can’t forgive ourselves for.  God forgives us ALL our sins even the ones we think are unforgiveable.  God forgives us ALL our sins even the ones we cling to not wanting to let go of.  We have a God of forgiveness who meets us in our brokenness and pain and continually invites us into a resurrected life of forgiveness.

Let us pray:  God of forgiveness, help me to release to you all that binds me.  Free me from the power that sin has over me and help me to live in the hope and the promise of your freeing claiming love.  AMEN