THE CRY FOR FORGIVENESS
Psalm 51:1–13
The bank employee held hostage. The student caught cheating. The unfaithful spouse confronted by his or her partner. Each of these scenarios is troublesome on various levels, but each also requires forgiveness for a measure of reconciliation and peace to be achieved.
When was the last time you shared your salvation story? It is important for others to hear it, and it is important for you to share it. Chances are, no matter how you came to faith in Christ, you will use the word “forgiveness” in telling of God’s grace. Forgiveness could be our favorite aspect of the regeneration process, probably because we realize we are not perfect and our greatest hope for redemption lies in the promise of God’s forgiveness.
Without forgiveness, we do not receive salvation. We should also realize that after the moment of conversion, our need for forgiveness does not end. While we have been forgiven for the penalty of our sins, we still require the forgiveness of God to nurture our fellowship with Him.
Our sin is ultimately against God. (1–4)
In one of the most vivid displays of confession found in Scripture, David is a broken man. He messed up, made selfish and foolish choices and became arrogant. But most tragically, he had sinned against God.
Our sin can hurt ourselves and the ones we love and even ripple into places we never considered. However, the greatest offense is to God who is holy and pure in every way. The weight of our sin equals the same weight Jesus bore on the cross. Our motivation to live more godly lives and sin less is not to avoid being caught or embarrassed. Rather, as we see what our transgressions do to the heart of God, we begin to take sin more seriously and desire to please Him.
The way out of our sin begins with turning to God in repentance. (5–9)
When we choose to sin and conviction follows, we have only two directions to choose from. We can turn to God or turn to the world.
David, now humble, understands His need for God’s forgiveness. It was the only remedy for the anguish he was experiencing. It was God he had sinned against, and it was only God who could adequately forgive.
The same is still true today for each of us. The cleansing we need can only be applied from the Source of holiness and purity — our heavenly Father.
God restores us to a place of fruitfulness. (10–13)
Once forgiven, our intimacy with God is restored. As a result, our focus is exclusively on Him. When this occurs, our desire is to serve Him. Some people do not serve God because they are living in unconfessed sin and are miserable. This was not the case with David. He confessed His sin, received forgiveness and was eager to serve the Lord.
When you have been forgiven and the guilt has been removed, the eagerness to obey will follow. Even the joy of salvation will be renewed. Could it be that you need to spend some time confessing your sins to God? He will forgive, renew and restore. Cry out to God. He will answer.
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
