One of the objections you will often hear from non-Lutherans is that “no man can forgive sins.” Or “I don't need the pastor to forgive me my sins; I can just ask God myself.” But what does Jesus say? He commands His apostles to forgive sins. If someone thinks pastors don't forgive sins, they're calling Jesus a liar or else they don't know what Jesus' said.
One of the main blunders of heresy is that it tries to understand the Gospel, God's gifts. What this devotion does so well is explain the Doctrine in light of faith rather than reason. How? It points us to the Words of Jesus. Jesus' Words are to be believed. It's not a problem if we don't understand them. It's not a problem if we think one thing contradicts another thing in Scripture. Jesus' Words are eternal and true--He is the Truth.
So, pastor, how is possible that man can forgive sins? Isn't it ONLY between me and God?
My response (as always): Listen to Jesus. What does He say?
Jesus breathed on the disciples and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."
Come to Holy Absolution: Fridays 1-3 and 6-8. Receive God's true gift to you in this tangible way.
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