Conviction, Confession, and Grace

Musings on Psalm 25

David knows his sin. Not only does he know his sin, he knows his sinfulness. Not only does he know his sin and sinfulness, he FEELS it. Is this not the most painful part of walking humbly with God? We don't confess our sins like a dutiful, robotic list once Jesus saves us. No. Each one we feel like an arrow that pierces our heart. And then we must lay open that gory wound in front of the One who shed His own blood to keep us from it.

Yet, if we were never convicted of our own failure, our own sinfulness...we would never begin to appreciate the depths of God's grace through Jesus. Our confession to the Father acts on conviction from the Spirit within us and opens the door to abundant grace through the once-for-all sacrifice of the Son, Jesus Christ.

As David cries out to be forgiven of his sin, he asks the Lord to teach him His paths and show him His ways. He is not merely content with forgiveness, he wants righteousness. When we confess and accept God's grace sincerely, we are freed to grow in holiness and freed to become less and less like our fleshly selves and more and more like our heavenly Christ.