A Matter of Authority

It is, after all, a matter of authority.

 

If you and I fail to turn away from our sin in shame, we have no hope of confession, absolution, or eternal life.  That is what the Church is about, isn't it?

 

The point is that it (you fill in the blank about what your pet sin might be) is clearly defined in Scripture as sin, and it is forbidden. If I have a genetic proclivity to murder, my potential activity is still forbidden by Scripture, and I must war against my own desire. The Church offers confession and absolution for all such; and God freely forgives our stumbling. The public law offers only punishment. However, God never forgives our deliberate and faithless determination to set up shop to commit any sin against His will. It is our brokenness and denial of self that is necessary: thus, I must continually say, no, to the corrupted things I want so much, whatever they may be. The Church has no right to grant approval of any such thing. This is simply not negotiable. The Church in heaven has spoken clearly on the issue.

 

Make no mistake.  Satan is not your friend.  He may whisper in your ear that doing this or that is not offensive to God.  Nevertheless, Satan is a self-righteous hypocrite.  In the last judgement, he will be the first to rise up to condemn you, and he will be the first to cast the stone that crushes eternal life out of you.

 

The Blood bought forgiveness of God is so much nicer.

 

If you are offended with this idea, take it up with Paul or whatever Apostle called it sin.

Then take it up with Jesus Christ, Who commanded the Apostle to write.

 

If you and I fail to turn away from our sin in shame, we have no hope of confession, absolution, or eternal life.  That is what the Church is about, isn't it?