Too bad we don't have confession

[Orthodox Christian]

14 hours ago, 3DOP said:

OC...hey.

I think you will agree. "Go and sin no more" is on the mind also as we APPROACH confession. The faithful fear to sin presumptively, as though the grace will automatically be available for a good confession. I don't believe in that without a through conversion. If one sins gravely on purpose, with the idea that they think they will have the grace to make a good confession, with the necessary dispositions to earnestly try to discontinue a bad habit or renounce a single sin that separates the soul from God? No. The priests to whom I confess say often, before giving absolution, "Thank God now for the grace of a good confession." It isn't the Catholic or I think, Orthodox faith, that could have much hope for a soul that deliberately sins, thinking that some mechanical sacrament will restore union with God. That cannot be an act of faith, or hope, or charity. It would be a terrible sacrilege and misunderstanding of the Sacrament. It is easy to ape the words, but without grace, the dispositions cannot be presumed. 

Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed.  Wishing Paschal blessings to you all. Allelujah!

I think you hit the nail on the head with your reference to restoring union with God. This is what we strive for in our Christian lives isn't it? Through grace, through constant ministrations of the Holy Spirit, through the love and mercy of God made manifest in our Lord and Saviour. This is our goal, so if we we cover our journey with a thin veneer of piety, but no depth, we are depriving ourselves of God Himself, because He knows us. To deliberately walk in sin on the premise that it will be ok because we can confess is a terrible self deception, precisely because He knows us. And we will never be blessed by union with God if we walk that way.

[Orthodox Christian]

On 2/15/2022 at 12:10 AM, The Nehor said:

I would feel bad for any confessor that had to endure a recitation of my sins.

Perhaps you should feel worse knowing that God knows them.

[The Nehor]

5 hours ago, Orthodox Christian said:

Perhaps you should feel worse knowing that God knows them.

Nah, I already repented of most of them.