Lutherans have a subdued tradition.  At the beginning of the church service, there is a “Brief Order of Confession and Forgiveness.”  Early Sunday morning, we are forgiven of our sins.  Less than a minute.  Bing, bang, boom.  All clean.  That simple.

Today, as the Pastor was reading the portion announcing our fresh start, I turned to my 9-year-old son Sam and said with a smile, “Hey, you are free from any sins.”  He responded with a wry little grin as if to say, “Dad, be quiet.  You are embarrassing me.”  Well, I could not let that grin pass so I continued, “Now make sure not to sin the rest of the day.”  Sam responded with the same grin, this time appearing to say, “Dad, please stop it.”

Turns out in the spur of the moment, my worst mistake was not the embarrassing of Sam.  That was a perfectly acceptable “Dad Move.”  My worst mistake was my emphasis.  You see I should not have emphasized the avoidance of future sins.  None of us will ever succeed at that.  I should have emphasized something more important.  Now that you are sinless, smile, go out, do good.  Be so happy that your joy is contagious.  Do such good that others will see the beauty of God within you.  Be a light.  Shine.  You have been forgiven.

Rare jam session footage of Martin Luther and his band “Gnade Gottes.”