Across the Pastor’s Desk

By the Rev. Kent Otterman, chaplain at Good Samaritan Society and pastor of Faith Lutheran Church

The great “prince of preachers” Charles Haddon Spurgeon used to tell the story of a duke who boarded a galley ship and went below to talk with the criminals manning the oars. He asked several of them what their offenses were. Almost every man claimed he was innocent, blaming someone else or accusing the judge of taking a bribe.

One young fellow, however, replied, “Sir, I deserve to be here. I stole some money. No one is at fault but me. I’m guilty.” Upon hearing this, the duke shouted, “You scoundrel, you! What are you doing here with all these honest men? Get out of their company at once!” The duke ordered that this prisoner be released. He was set free, while the rest were left to tug at the oars. The key to this prisoner’s freedom was his admission of guilt.

That’s also true in salvation. Until a person is willing to admit to God, “I’m a sinner in need of salvation,” he cannot experience freedom from guilt and condemnation. The Bible says, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” I John 1:8-9. God’s saving mercy and grace are given to those who honestly confess their sin and trust in Jesus Christ to forgive and save them. And, of course, this is an ongoing process since we all continue to struggle with sin.

Like the tax collector in Luke 18:13, have you cried from your heart, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner?” This is the key to experiencing the wonderful freedom of God’s forgiveness and grace.