Thursday, August 2, 2012

August 3, 2012

"Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:5

I don't think I have never met anyone who didn't want forgiveness and I know I have never met one who didn't need it.

I need it. You need! We need it because we sin and sin separates us from God. That is fatal. Forgiveness is the treatment that brings the cure for the disease of sin.

It’s like the story of the boy who was shooting rocks with a slingshot. He could never hit his target. As he was in his Grandma’s backyard one day, he spied her pet duck. On impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck was dead. “The boy panicked and hid the bird in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. After lunch that day, Grandma told Sally to help with the dishes. Sally responded, “Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you Johnny?” And she whispered to him, “Remember the duck!” So, Johnny did the dishes. What choice did he have? For the next several weeks he was at the sink often. Sometimes for his duty, sometimes for his sin. “Remember the duck,” Sally’d whisper when he objected. So weary of the chore, he decided that any punishment would be better than washing more dishes, so he confessed to killing duck. "I know, Johnny," his Grandma said, giving him a hug. "I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you."  (In the Grip of Grace; Max Lucado)
Johnny sinned and he needed forgiveness, just like you and me. We have already established that. But the big question is, "How do I get forgiveness?"
You or I get forgiveness the way Johnny did - stop hiding your sin and confess it to someone Who knows you are guilty and Who loves you and awaits the opportunity to grace you with forgiveness!
In this fifth verse of Psalm 32, David reveals the path to forgiveness and it mirrors the way taken by Johnny in this little story.
First, ADMIT SIN - "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity"
When you try to hide your sin you will suffer guilt and life in fear of being exposed. You will know no peace while you are hiding your sin and like his sister, the Accuser will hold you in bondage to your sin.
Second, AGREE ABOUT YOUR SIN - “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”
Don't cover your sin, confess it! Like Johnny did in the story when he came clean with his Granny. AND, like the Granny in the story, God is well aware of what you have done. He is just waiting for you to dig up the dead duck and come clean with Him!
I John 1:9 promises - "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The word for "confess" means "to agree" with God about your sin. When you admit your sin to Him you are agreeing with Him about your guilt. As you agree you are guilty you also are agreeing that you need His forgiveness.
Third, ACCEPT HIS FORGIVENESS - "and you forgave the guilt of my sin"
Forgiveness is a gift. As a gift it must be received. Admitting it and agreeing with God makes you eligible for the gift BUT you must receive it! Until you receive it you will not benefit from it.
As the Granny in the story, God forgave you long before you ever sinned!
"God demonstrated His love for you in that while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you!" Romans 5:8.
But you must believe that God has forgiven you and you must forgive others who may have sinned against you and you must forgive yourself! When you have done those things you are able to accept the wonderful gift of His forgiveness!
Are you in need of forgiveness?
Are you tired of the guilt and the bondage of your sin?
Is there sin you are hiding?
Will you admit that sin and agree with God about your sin and accept His gift?