Confession and Absolution

One of the markers of a Capitalist economy is the inevitable onslaught of marketing designed to make you care more about yourself than anyone else.

Why?

Because the goal of every commercial enterprise is to offer value in exchange for wealth, and people who feel less good about themselves after making a purchase are less likely to exchange more wealth for more bad feelings.

So it’s a “Coke and a smile”.

It’s Burger King’s “Have it your way”.

It’s L’Oreal’s “Because you’re worth it.” Gillette's “The best a man can get.”

You see the pattern.

Raised in an environment like that, it’s no wonder that we spend so little time and attention confessing our sin.

Ligonier Ministries’ State of Theology survey (2022) found that most Americans—including many self-identified Christians—believe people are "basically good." Only 38% agreed with the statement, "Even the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation."

Capitalism works. We’re all OK even though we’re not, and if we’re not OK we know plenty of ways to get there.

Our world constantly invites us in the opposite direction from the Bible’s insistence that we humbly take personal responsibility for our sin.

Even then, we avoid it…

“Mistakes were made,” but by whom?

“That’s just my truth,” as if the facts of sin and righteousness can be customized like a Spotify playlist.

Confession is a relic of the past. Kneeling, admitting failure, and hearing absolution? Too medieval. What a downer.

But Lent is here. And Lent says otherwise.

One of the markers of a Capitalist economy is the inevitable onslaught of marketing

designed to make you care more about yourself than anyone else.

"From dust you came, to dust you shall return."

Those are the words spoken on Ash Wednesday as ashes are smudged onto foreheads. 

Those ashes are just outward signs of a deeper reality: we confess that we are sinners. 

Real sinners. Not just people who “mess up” or “struggle with things” but sinners who deserve death and hell.

That’s where the first gift of Lent comes in: the gift of honesty.

Honesty is a rare thing in the modern world. 

We lie to ourselves, and allow ourselves to be lied to constantly by our culture. 

But God does not lie. 

He speaks the truth: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).

This is why we begin with confession.

Not just Lent… we begin with confession every day, every hour, every moment.

“The Confession of Sins”, as a liturgical rubric in a worship service, is but a model for how we should understand ourselves elementally.

If you want to test that theory, next time you find yourself noodling around mindlessly on your smartphone, or stuck in a traffic jam, or sitting in a waiting room… the next time you find yourself with “nothing better to do”, confess your sins to God.

I know how weird that sounds, but it shouldn’t.

The beginning of Lent reminds us of who we truly are when we are honest with ourselves. Honesty is the best policy, after all. And what could be better than that?

Actually, there is one thing better. Read on…

If you want to test that theory…

confess your sins to God

In the Small Catechism, Martin Luther gives a simple answer:

"Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution… not doubting but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven."

Notice what confession is not.

• It’s not just admitting mistakes. Mistakes happen by accident. Sin is deeper—intentional, corrupt, defiant.
• It’s not about making excuses. "I was tired." "I didn’t mean it." "I’m only human." All distractions.
• It’s not a self-improvement plan. Confession isn’t a way to "do better next time." It’s a way to die—to drown the old Adam, to be crushed under the Law, and to receive life in Christ.

The idea that a pastor has been given the unique authority to speak certain specific things to people on behalf of God is a Biblical concept that would require its own essay.

But the Christian Church has always understood that when Jesus authorized the Disciples/Apostles to forgive or withhold forgiveness on behalf of God, He was giving a unique gift to the church.

Confession and Absolution is a gift Jesus intended to be used.

Did you know that Luther expected Christians to use Private Confession? 

Not in a Roman Catholic, "mandatory sacrament" sense, but in the "this-is-a-gift-for-your-soul" sense. 

The Catechism includes the question, "What sins should we confess?" 

Answer: Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer. But before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.

The Catechism’s idea about confession is that there is a speaking and a hearing.

Something takes place out loud, utilizing our sense of hearing in a similar way communion utilizes our sense of taste.

Private Confession isn’t about earning forgiveness—it’s about being personally engaged in the speaking of your sins and the hearing of your forgiveness.

And what does this mean?

You know those sins that keep you up at night? The ones that whisper, "God couldn’t possibly forgive that one"? Those are the ones you need to speak. Out loud. Before God. 

And when the pastor places his hand on your head and declares, "I forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," you can walk out knowing—not hoping, but knowing—that the blood of Jesus has paid the price for your sin.

You are “absolved”... forgiven.

"this-is-a-gift-for-your-soul"

Words create reality.

When God said, "Let there be light," there was light (Gen. 1:3). When Jesus said, "Lazarus, come out!" a dead man walked out of his grave (John 11:43). 

When Jesus says, "I forgive you," that’s what happens.

That’s why Absolution isn’t a product on sale by the church. Please let’s not get that started again!

The promise of forgiveness isn’t a marketing campaign designed to promise that you’ll feel better after you exchange some wealth for something of Ultimate Value.

It is, of course, of Ultimate Value. But that’s beside the point.

Absolution is a declaration from God of His victory over your sin. It’s a constantly new and renewed reality.

It’s such a powerful declaration, that it remains true at the waiting room, stuck in traffic, or while mindlessly watching SVU reruns for the hundredth time.

You are, in Divine Fact, forgiven. 

You’ll hear all about how that miracle happened as Lent becomes Easter

But Confession gets you started down the road to reality. It’s a “step” you always want to take.

What to Do This Lent

1. Make Confession part of your life. When you pray in church, saying, "I, a poor miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities..." Let it crush you, so that only Christ can raise you up. Then take that with you everywhere you go.
2. Seek Private Confession. Your pastor is ready. You might be nervous. That’s normal. But don’t let fear rob you of the joy of hearing God’s forgiveness spoken just for you.
3. Trust the Absolution. If God says you are forgiven, you are forgiven. End of story.

Lent begins with confession.

The ashes are washed away. The dust is lifted up. The sinner dies, but Christ gives life.

Let this be your Lenten journey—not a time of wallowing, but a time of honesty, grace, and the sweet relief of knowing that you are completely, fully, forgiven.

When Jesus says, "I forgive you," that’s what happens.

Merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and unclean. I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done and by what I have left undone. I deserve nothing but punishment, yet You have given me grace. Help me to trust Your absolution. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.