Ash Wednesday is right around the corner (February 17). On this day we remember that we are dying, and, not only that, but we are dying because we are sinners. This is something we should remember and confess every single day. We are dying. And the reason is that we are sinners.
This is something we are able to confess only because we are Christians. Otherwise, it would be a horribly depressing way to live. Who would come to a service simply to hear that they are dying, and the reason is their sin? Who would confess every day, “I have sinned against you and am worthy of death”? This is not a message that markets to people’s felt needs. We are only able to confess this because we are Christians. Otherwise we would run and hide. Even if we knew it to be true, this is not a message we would want to catch up with us.
God invites us to come and confess this in full confidence that he is the giver of life, who graciously forgives all our sins for Christ’s sake. He will not leave us in our sins. He will not leave us in the clutches of death. That is not his will. When we confess that we are dying, and that we are dying because we are sinners, God’s answer is already in the book. He has given his Son Jesus Christ to suffer for our sake and to die in our place. And as surely as he is risen from the dead, we will live with him. Confess that you are a dying sinner and find life in Jesus wounds. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21)
The peace of Christ be with you all,
Pastor Dan