is serious and, even though we have been born again and become new creations, we have much to confess every day. Please understand: this is not to encourage pathological selfhatred or abject despair, but to “come clean” with God (Ps. 51:1–2), to receive afresh his wondrous love and forgiveness (Ps. 130:7–8), and to get on with growing in love for him and our neighbors (Col. 3:12–13). Public confession is an opportunity each week for a congregation of redeemed sinners to get back in touch with reality