Part III Article VII

You can read the article for this week here. 

This article is short, and it is one that we do not talk about all too often, or in too much detail. So why mention it? There are a couple of reasons, one is for a proper understanding of what this is, so that those who exercise it, may do so properly and with humility. The second reason, and the more important reason is because of the gift that is given through this.

First, it is important to point out and understand that the office of the keys is given to the church. Now the church has chosen to have representatives (pastors) exercise this on behalf of the church, but it still ultimately belongs to the church. This understanding will require a good amount of humility on behalf of the pastors who are exercising and making use of this office. It is indeed a great honor and privilege.  It can be tempting for pastors to turn this into a power trip, but that is never what it was intended to be, or it was intended to be used.

We do not want to spend too much time on that point. It is worth mentioning, it is not nearly as significant as the second reason. When this office is exercised and sins are forgiven, then that forgiveness is real and sure and certain. When we are told that our sins have been forgiven, we can here those words as if they were coming from the very mouth of God. This is not a license to go a do whatever we feel like doing. Instead it is an opportunity to live in the freedom and grace that comes from our God. It is real and amazing and deep kind of a thing.

How easy is it for us to go through life bearing the weight of guilt and shame. And what this teaching says to us is that the forgiveness of God in our lives is real. We need not live in that guilt and shame. Now, sometimes, there are consequences that we are faced with as a result of our sin, but the presence of those consequences does not negate the full and certain forgiveness of God when it is poured out into our lives. And I would dare even imagine that God's forgiveness would enable us to better live through those consequences. 

God is good. God's love is beyond our ability to understand. God's forgiveness and mercy are so very big that they are enough to forgive all of our sins.  And when God's forgiveness comes into our lives, we are able to live in a peace and freedom that is beyond all human understanding.

May you know this peace and freedom this week and always.  

Pastor CJ