J Heinrich Arnold-Freedom from sinful thoughts.pdf

FREEDOM FROM SINFUL THOUGHTS - C O N F E S S I O Nwrongs we have committed by turning away from themfor good – confession becomes a joy. In casting off theveil that has kept our sin hidden, it removes the spell ofsecrecy. I have seen people change in an instant; peoplewho came to me in such distress that their sin seemed toburden them physically, but who almost skipped awayonce they had everything off their chests.Bonhoeffer describes this transformation in awonderful way and shows us that it is more than anemotional thing, but something with eternal meaning:In the confession of concrete sins the old man dies a painful,shameful death before the eyes of a brother. Because thishumiliation is so hard, we continually scheme to avoid it. Yet inthe deep mental and physical pain of humiliation before abrother we experience the Cross of Jesus as our rescue andsalvation. The old man dies, but it is God who has conqueredhim. Now we share in the resurrection of Christ and eternal life.43