Administering the Gospel to the Wounded

In chapter four of book three in The Institutes, Calvin addresses the error of the “schoolmen” who promote the penitence of confessing sins to a priest and receiving pardon from him. While he vigorously argues for Christ as the only true priest who can pardon our sins, he does commend the Biblical practice of confessing our sins to one another. One section I found particularly helpful was the real-life scenario of he proposed of a sin-burdened church member coming to his pastor for help with his guilt.

“Nor is private absolution of less benefit or efficacy when asked by those who stand in need of a special remedy for their infirmity. It not seldom happens, that he who hears general promises which are intended for the whole congregation of the faithful, nevertheless remains somewhat in doubt, and is still disquieted in mind, as if his own remission were not yet obtained. Should this individual lay open the secret wound of his soul to his pastor, and hear these words of the Gospel specially addressed to him, “Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matt 9:2), his mind will feel secure, and escape from the trepidation with which it was previously agitated. But when we treat of the keys, we must always beware of dreaming of any power apart from the preaching of the Gospel.” (3.4.14, 415)

While the pastor himself has no power to forgive sins, he has been entrusted with the ministry of the Gospel, to apply it both publicly and privately to the flock of God. At this very moment, I am convinced that there are numerous members in all of our churches in desperate need of just such a private ministry of the Gospel. This brings a number of questions to my mind as a pastor:

1) Am I striving to know my people in such a way that I can tell when they are burdened, and when they are rejoicing? Or am I content to prepare my sermons without thought to their needs and shake their hands on their way in and out of church on Sunday mornings?

2) Do I present myself as a knowable pastor, himself conscious of his sin and carried away by mercy? When my people think of someone who is approachable and sympathetic, do they think of me? Or do I come off as high-handed, demanding, and scolding?

3) Do I preach the Gospel beautifully, as the best news any sinner has ever heard, as sufficient to cleanse the deepest stains upon the conscience and heart? I personally find it much easier to preach legalistically about what we should do and not do, than to preach the Gospel of glorious free grace. My default mode is to try and modify our sinful behavior, rather than to exalt a merciful, life-giving Savior.

4) Am I able to personally apply the Gospel to the lives of my people when sitting across the table from them and listening to their stories as Calvin described? Or would I bungle this, able only to talk in generalities before a crowd? Have I thought through the sorts of sicknesses from which my people will suffer that will require tonic of the Gospel?