God Forgives You
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” – Psalm 51:1-2
Relationships are complicated. Whenever we are connected to another person, we have the potential to help or to harm. When we harm another person, the relationship will remain broken until it is restored. Forgiveness is the pathway to reconciliation. One of the most difficult tasks of a relationship is vulnerability. Choosing to be honest and vulnerable with our fears and our failures creates opportunity for forgiveness and healing to occur. Admitting our sins against another person and against God is a healthy step in the journey of grace.
Recently, I injured a dear friend by repeating gossip. It was wrong. It harmed several relationships and hurt the integrity of my ministry. I have gone through the scene thousands of times in my mind and re-lived the opportunity to correct that sin. It is not in my character to gossip. I value the sacred trust which I have been given in the pastoral/parishioner relationship and never want to violate that trust. In the future, I will be more careful with my words and have vowed that I will stop gossip in its tracks in order to maintain health and trust in the church.
I have attempted to apologize and asked for forgiveness from the individual. I pray that after the injury has healed, we will have a restored relationship. I have also brought this sin to God and asked God to forgive me. Psalm 51 was King David’s response after Nathan pointed out his sinfulness in his mistreatment of Uriah the Hittite. He was cut to the heart when he saw his own greed and selfishness. The Psalm does not end with the lament, however. David desires to be changed. Verse 10 states, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Verse 13 asks for the opportunity to share his newfound wisdom and changed heart, “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.” Following the assurance that his relationship with God is restored and he is assured of his salvation, David asks God to use his story for God’s glory.
God desires to be in relationship with us. Full, vulnerable, honest, meaningful relationships are what God is all about. When we try to hide our sin, or continue to beat ourselves up because of our past offenses, that relationship remains broken. This Sunday, July 4th, is a powerful opportunity for us to truly celebrate independence from sin! As we come together and gather around the communion table, my prayer is that we will all be empowered to leave our shame and guilt at the foot of the cross and take up the gift of grace and peace. I hope you will join us in worship this week as we take the opportunity to experience God’s presence and peace and the freedom from sin we have in Christ!
God knows you. God loves you. God hears you. God forgives you. You are treasured.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen.