John tells us that if any man pretends to himself that he has no sin, he deceives himself. We are to confess our sins and, according to His promise, He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But we need regularly to be reminded of several things concerning this.
The first is that this is not the place for confession of sin. Here is not the place we have assigned for self-examination and confession. Such self-examination is preparation for coming to the Table, but while you are at the Table, you should be receiving the food. Of course, if some sin arises right when you are coming to the Table—some prideful thought, say—of course you are to repent of it immediately, even if you are at the Table. I am simply saying that this is not the time or place for self-examination.
But here is the second thing. Telling you not to confess your sins here is only safe or wise if you are the kind of Christian who confesses his sins regularly before the Lord. Ideally, sin should be confessed immediately upon recognition of that sin. If you say something unkind to your wife on Tuesday, you shouldn’t wait until the time of confession on Sunday to put it right. Because of how easy it is for sin to get by us, we have placed a time of reflection and confession at the first part of the service, right after we come into the Lord’s presence. Any unfinished business should be finished there.
That is how it is possible for sinners, completely forgiven, to come to this Table here and holds their heads up. It is all the grace of God, and He is kind.
So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.
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