Lesson 4: Confession

Most Christians will agree that the greatest gift God has given man is mercy.

But Catholics believe in a unique way of attaining that mercy, the second Sacrament: Reconciliation (confession, penance).

To fully understand this sacrament, we need to understand what Sin is:
To understand sin, we need to look at the first one. Open up your Bible to Genesis 3.

Here we see “The Fall of Man,” or Man’s ‘no‘ to God. That’s all sin is: saying “No” to God. In Gen 3:3, we see that Eve had what’s called full knowledge, or she knew fully what the rule was when she broke it. We know it was a grave matter because God said the punishment is death. Satan is known as the “Father of Lies,” and in Gen 3:4-5 he does just that: he fathers the first lie. A key element (which is often written off as insignificant in this passage) of sin is that the devil began by instilling doubt (Gen 3:1 “Did God really say that?”), which is exactly how he brings people away from God (just ask Martin Luther or John Calvin, they know all about doubt). Then we see the temptation Eve faces: the fruit is good, pleasing to the eye, and desirable. All sin has something good, pleasing, and/or desirable about it... Or people wouldn’t do it. Some will justify their sin by saying “I’m not hurting anybody.” But that’s not the point. Take a look back at that first sin: there was nothing wrong with the fruit, it wasn’t poisonous, she didn’t take it from anyone; the only reason it was wrong was God said NO. Check out verse 5. The devil tempts Eve with the idea that she will be a god in that she will know what is good and what is bad.

Most Americans commit this same sin. I become God and I choose what’s right and wrong.
“I don’t think that’s wrong.” Well it doesn’t matter. God said it is.

Finally, the last aspect of sin is encompassed in verses 6 and 7. Shame.

But then the best part about sin, and God’s greatest gift, is his promise of Salvation in verse 15. The promise that another woman would come, one who’s son would combat the snake, and “strike at [his] head.”

Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. Eve brought death to the human race by her “no” when confronted with God’s will. But Mary, the new Eve, brought life to the human race by her “yes” to God’s will (Luke 1:38).

We all sin. That is why God gave us Reconciliation. Reconciliation is where the one sacrifice of Christ is renewed in our hearts.

We separate ourselves from Jesus by committing mortal sin. That’s what sin is about: the relationship. The laws and rules aren’t really significant... It’s what we say by our sin. It’s us rejecting his love and separating ourselves from him.

But the real conflict in this sacrament is, “where do Catholic priests get this power to forgive sins?”

Well let’s take an other look at a bible verse I’ve quoted several times in this blog... Matt 16:16-19. Again, the church has the power of the keys. The keys to allow or disallow entrance into the kingdom of heaven. I won’t take any more of your time with that verse this time. For more clarification see my previous lessons.

John 20:23: Jesus gives the Apostles [and their successors (Acts 1:24-25)] the power to forgive sins. A simple and easy investigation into history will show that the catholic priests and bishops are the only people who claim and can back up claims to be traceable successors to the original apostles of Christ.

Please take the time to check out these verses from the Old Testament:

Leviticus 5:5-6 Keep in mind that Jesus is the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

Numbers 5:5-8 “atonement ram with which the priest makes amends for the guilty man” again, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice.

Ezra 10:1

Proverbs 28:13

Now many protestants operate under the assumption that the New Testament and Jesus replace the Old Testament and those laws and customs. This is not true, for there is no scriptural proof. Old Testament customs, rituals, sacrifices, laws, etc were not abolished, but fulfilled.
(See Matt 5:17-19)

Some New Testament evidence for Reconciliation is:

Matt 3:6, 18:18
Mark 1:5
Luke 10:16
John 20:23 <-- very relevant
Acts 19:18 <-- very relevant
1 Cor 11:27 (How can we eat or drink worthily without a way to become worthy?)
2 Cor 5:18-21
James 5:15-17 <-- very relevant
1 John 1:8-10

Christ gave his Apostles the power to forgive sin. This power was intended to be passed on, since Christ knew that people would sin until the end of time. As Catholics, we always confess our sins to God through a Priest (John 20:23) but it is God who forgives sin (Mark 2:7). God requires confession as taught in Scripture, and practiced by the early Church.






Shoot me your questions!!
I love to answer them!!

Lambssupper@gmail.com

My next lesson will be about the Eucharist and mass! (my favorite subject, and the subject of most controversy)...

I’ve been praying for all those who read this... That the Holy Spirit works through my words and speaks to all our hearts.
God bless!
Luke