Musings and Contemplations

Loving and forgiving Lord, Source and Giver of true happiness and peace, help us to be genuinely repentant of all that is in us that displeases you. Help us to fully confess the ways we have disobeyed you, that we may know the joy of forgiveness for the guilt of our sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hating the sin God hates
Psalm 32 NRSV
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 
Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Selah
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.                           
Selah
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Do We Hate Sin?
T. M. Moore
Are we clinging to our comforts and conveniences? Do we fancy ourselves disciples of Jesus, though there is little about our lives to support that notion? Are we Christians according to the guidelines of our culture or the demands of our King?
Let us examine ourselves. Do we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? Are we harboring any idols of false gods? Taking His Name upon us with no effects? Making of His day of rest whatever we will? Coveting? Lusting? Lying? Not loving our neighbor? The Spirit God has given us works to teach us the Law of God so that we both learn and obey it (Ezekiel 36.26, 27). He can lead us through the commandments of the Lord to convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16.8-11), but we must be willing and make time for Him to do so. He hates sin more than we do, and He can expose the sins within us, train our hearts for confession and repentance, and equip us with the glory of Jesus to make us more like Him.[1]

Becoming a Christian[2]
To be a Christian you must wholeheartedly submit to the living Christ as your Lord and God. Knowing the Lord Jesus means personally believing in him, surrendering your life to him through repentance and Baptism, and living as one of his joyful followers. A clear way to make this commitment of faith and repentance is to offer to God a prayer in which you:

• Confess your sins to God, being as specific as possible, and repent by turning from them.
• Thank God for his mercy and forgiveness given to you in Jesus Christ.
• Promise to follow and obey Jesus as your Lord.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be faithful to Jesus as you grow into spiritual maturity.

One example of such a prayer is the following:
Almighty Father, I confess that I have sinned against you in my thoughts, words, and actions (especially __________). I am truly sorry and humbly repent. Thank you for forgiving my sins through the death of your Son, Jesus. I turn to you and give you my life. Fill and strengthen me with your Holy Spirit to love you, to follow Jesus as my Lord in the fellowship of his Church, and to become more like him each day. Amen.

O Savior of Our Fallen Race

O Savior of Our Fallen Race[3]

O Savior of our fallen race,
The world will see Your radiant face;
For You who came to us before
Will come again and all restore.

For from the Father’s throne You came,
His banished children to reclaim;
And earth, and sea, and sky revere
The love of Him who sent You here.

And we are jubilant today
For You have washed our guilt away;
O hear the glad new song we sing
On this, the birth of Christ our King!

Let songs of praise Your name adorn,
O Christ, Redeemer, virgin-born,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Spirit evermore.

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[1] https://www.ailbe.org/columns/crosfigell/opposing-sin-2/
[2] “To Be a Christian” Anglican Catechism, pp. 21-22.
[3] Keith and Kristyn Getty, 2011.