Is It God? Or Is It You?

A lot of times I had been asked about the effectivity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A lot of times I would answer, "It is effective, of course!" It is God who forgives and therefore it is certain. Maybe those who doubt it refers to those people who receive it and yet had not changed.

Conversion, in the first place is a continuing process. After a turn around, we do not stop. We go on journeying towards God. Therefore, it entails constant obedience and following the will of God. If there are times when we go astray, we always have a way to go back.

God definitely forgives. When we recognize our sins and ask forgiveness, the task is just half done. We continue to sustain our contrition by doing everything to avoid sinning again and by actively doing good acts. If we are sincere in turning back from our life of sin, saying sorry should not be enough. We must have the will to do away the things that lead us to sin. We avoid places when we can sin. We refrain meeting people who will lead us to sin. Yes, it is true that one can not completely be away from all sins and temptations, but we know the causes of our sins and where we could be tempted. We need to help ourselves in order to not subject ourselves to temptations or unduly expose ourselves to sins. Our motivation will be the goodness of God. We must appreciate the goodness of God by forgiving us of our sins. We must respond with the resolve never to do it again. Why is it that when we had committed something against our loved one and received forgiveness, we promise to ourselves that we would never commit it again? In so many cases, we are able to hold on to our promise. How much more with God?

Therefore, it is not God who is wanting and at fault in the effectivity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is really our resolve, effort, and sincerity in avoiding sins. It is our responsibility of proving to God that we are worthy of His forgiveness. If we want perfect conversion, we can have it with the help of God and with our creative actions.