Lesson 4: Repentance and Confession

We have a hard time with confession these days. Traditionally, it served as the first step in repentance, acknowledging our failure to fully live according to the Gospel.

Both John the Baptist and Jesus called people to repentance. The gospels picture them as prophets who ask us to rethink the way we live and change our ways.

Luke contrasts their messages. He paints John as far more judgmental when he invokes the law. Jesus is more gracious as he appeals to the heart.

Yet, Jesus is more radical. John tells people to give away a coat if they have two, while Jesus says to give the coat off your back to someone who has none.

The intention is obviously to bring about change. That necessitates changing what we are doing now in light of Jesus’ teachings.

Resistance to this fundamental challenge is tremendous from top to bottom in our society. The president claims he cannot think of anything in his past that warrants forgiveness. Yet his bravado simply epitomizes the egocentricity all around us.

Many prominent voices attack critical race theory and woke culture. Both call for taking responsibility and correcting past injustices. But rather than engaging in discussions about how this could sensibly happen, these influencers simply deny the evils of slavery, colonialism, and inequality.

Many churches reduce confession to preparation for worship even though the prophets warn worship is useless if people are not working to live according to God’s will. The senselessness is apparent when the sermon reads forgiveness as assuring “I’m okay; your’re okay.”

Obviously, the theology of the cross offers a far, far richer understanding of forgiveness. However, at this level the failure is rejecting the authority of Jesus’ teaching. It reflects no desire to transform our lives.

Tags: Forgiveness Frees for Future, Our Society Resists Repentance, Present Society Calls for Repentance, Repentance and Confession, Repentance Calls for Change, Repentance is Rethinking