April 6, 2021
This week’s Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture comes from 1 John 1:9-10: 9If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (NRSV)
For years, this scripture shaped the beginning of our worship service. Lutheran Liturgy almost always has at its onset the confession we are taught in this scripture - we make God a liar if we claim we are without sin. And intrinsically, sins.
Sin (singular) is understood as the overall condition of separation between humanity/creation and God. It began early with the independent streak of humanity. Thereby, we are born into that separation - not apart from God, but not in union with God. Sins (plural), therefore, are acts we commit out of that condition. They are ways that we dishonor God and our fellow humans/creation because we are turned in on ourself.
In other words, we think of ourselves first, and thereby commit sins against others. It is humbling to consider that even though I try to do all the right things, I cannot on my own. I need God and God’s forgiving grace.
Perhaps we have lost something because we do not say the same words each and every week. Perhaps we have gained something because we have to be more intentional in saying and hearing our confession rather than speaking it from memory. Either way, the end result is the same - we need God. And God responds. Always!
Blessings. And prayers.
Also, I could not let MT Day go by without a shoutout:
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