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We have a sin problem. We may not realize just how much we do until we start to feel that God is a million miles away and the cost from our disobedience is our constant companion.

Sin looks good. It is enticing. Sin seems small and insignificant at first, and then as we are in the midst of it, or after we have committed it, it becomes large. Guilt and condemnation move into our hearts and minds, and we are overwhelmed by their presence.

Sin takes us farther than we wanted to go. It lasts longer than we wanted it to last. It costs us more than we ever thought it would.

Sin is not an isolated choice. While I may be in charge of choosing what sins I commit, the consequences of sin choices spill over into the lives of others in painful and devastating ways.

Sin separates us from God. He cannot be in the presence of sin because He is holy. This is why it is so important for us to come to God, confess our sins to Him, repent (turn from our sinful ways), and receive the forgiveness that comes as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Sin is something we are all guilty of committing. We often try to justify our sin, or rank sin believing that some are “lesser” or “greater” than others. God doesn’t view sin in that way. Sin is sin. Sin is still disobedience. Sin separates.

There is forgiveness available to us. There is a way provided for us to reconnect and draw near to our Holy Father. When we come to Him and confess our sin, He is faithful and just. He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Consider David. God took a lowly shepherd boy and chose for him to become the King of Israel. David was blessed. He was close to God. He sought God’s ways and leading as he ruled. But one day, David was tempted into sin. He saw someone beautiful, lusted after her, and after discovering that she was someone else’s wife, still chose to commit adultery with her. She conceived. Her husband was out at war, fighting for David’s Kingdom. David tried to cover up his sin, but with no success, due to the integrity of Bathsheba’s husband. So David’s sin moved to yet another level, and he ordered her husband to be killed in his last-ditch effort to hide his actions.

Sin took David farther than he ever wanted to go. The cost? Not only was there a huge separation from God, it cost him the life of his child, and the eventual division of his family and kingdom. 

Even after this kind of sin was committed, David was still considered a man after God’s heart. Why? Psalm 51 documents David’s heart and cry to the LORD for mercy. “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.” (v. 1-4) “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (v. 7) “Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” (v. 9b-12) “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (v. 17)

David humbled himself. He confessed his sin and he received forgiveness.

Friend, may we never allow ourselves to stay content in sin. May we never be so stubborn and hard-hearted that we refuse to humble ourselves and confess our sin before the One who is faithful to free us from it.

Blessings!