Facing Sin Head On

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” Psalm 51:3

These verses were penned by King David after Nathan, the prophet, confronted him about his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the setting up for her husband to be killed in battle. Although David should have been struck with remorse long before Nathan spoke to him, it seems that the voice of the prophet had left him a broken man.

Have you ever committed a sin so dark and unspeakable that you grieved over it?  Most of us have committed sin to a degree that we feel ashamed before God for our actions.  Because, in truth, no matter how small our sin, it always separates us from the holiness of God.  A white lie, an angry word, adultery… all of these results from the sin nature and if left unrepented, leads to death.

In this passage David was facing his sin head on.  What had seemed so desirable at the time, now looked back at him in the light of day.  He recognized his moral failure and he was having a hard time moving on.  All he could see was his wrongdoing, sin and separation from God. The sin was always before him.

When the Lord convicts us of sin, it is always to a redemptive end.  He convicts us so that we will repent, receive forgiveness and restoration.  It is not God’s will for us to be eternally condemned, always feeling unworthy to come in His presence.  If you are struggling with condemnation, please know that condemnation is from your enemy.  If you have repented, the sin is no longer always before you. It is behind you, plunged beneath the cleansing blood of Jesus.  When you confess sin and receive forgiveness, the Father does not remember it against you anymore.  And the good news is that “we have the mind of Christ.”  Therefore, we do not have to ever think again of our sins, except to say “Thank you God, I am clean and free of that.”

Dear Lord, I pray today especially for my friends who are struggling with guilt, shame and condemnation.  Help them to receive your forgiveness and walk in freedom from even the effects of sin.  Help them to see themselves as you see them- pure, righteous, holy and blameless in Your sight.  Thank you for your cleansing blood.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri