Reading: I John 1:5-10
This 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. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but 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. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Reflection During Family Camp this summer, at closing worship we got into groups and confessed any wrongdoings that we had with those in our circle. Some in my group were very specific and had something direct to share with others. Others were more general, saying, “I was feeling this way this week and may have said something hurtful because of that. If I did that to you, I’m sorry.” After each of the confessions, the group said, “I forgive you” to the confessor. The passage today is one that we use in Lutheran liturgy when we do the Brief Order of Confession and Forgiveness. I know it by heart from all the years of reciting it on a Sunday morning. Sometimes, I say the words and really don’t think about them. But this summer, one of our daily themes was God’s Forgiveness Beyond Measure. We reminded our campers that God forgives so much. It is so abundant that we can’t fathom or measure it. Our response is to forgive others just like God forgives us. Abundantly! When I heard the words “I forgive you” in that circle at Family Camp, it was powerful. I had confessed my wrongdoings and I was forgiven by those I wronged. It also was powerful to say those words to others. It seems as if forgiveness blesses not only the one who receives it but also the one who gives it. --Chad Hershberger Prayer Forgiving God, your abundant forgiveness is hard for us to comprehend. As we learn to be better forgivers, help us to feel to feel the blessing of receiving and giving forgiveness as much as you do to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
Anyone is welcome to contribute! If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail [email protected] Email
Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:
Archives
May 2022
Subscribe |