- Finding Forgiveness

Background Scripture: Psalm 51; 32
Lesson Scripture: Psalm 51:1–12

Introduction

God’s Word clearly teaches us that all people have sinned and come short of the glory of God. To reach the heavenly home God has prepared, we must find forgiveness for our sins. God is the only One who can forgive sins, which He accomplishes through the blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross. As we study this lesson, may we come to a better understanding of the conditions we must meet to experience God’s forgiveness.

Key Verse

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise (Ps. 51:17).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Our lesson text is taken from a psalm written by King David. Although the Bible tells us that he was a man after God’s own heart, David was human and sinned grievously. He fell into adultery with Bathsheba and then used his imperial power to plot her husband Uriah’s death, which added murder to the sordid ordeal.

God used a remarkable method to reveal David’s sin to him; He sent the prophet Nathan to pronounce judgment on David’s sin. Nathan used the analogy of a man who owned many flocks and herds and yet robbed a poor man’s only pet lamb to kill and then feed his guests. In this way God was able to reach David’s heart and help him understand the ugliness of his sin. The beauty of David’s spirit is remarkable. Instead of justifying himself, he humbly acknowledged that he had sinned. In the words David penned in this beautiful psalm of penitence, we see he did not attempt to spare his flesh in any way. The person with a repentant heart can identify with the spirit and words of this psalm.

David’s example of complete repentance is a guide for us. It is noteworthy that he recognized that his sin was before God alone. Although it is true that he had hurt his fellowman, it was God’s standard of righteousness that he had violated. David also recognized that God was looking for a broken and contrite spirit. Without this key condition present, all the sacrifices he could offer would not avail before God. David also lifted out the resulting joy and happiness in sins forgiven. We have a heart overflowing with praise to God for cleansing us from our sin and setting us free.

In our background Scripture in Psalm 32, David speaks of praying to God in a time when He may be found. It is important for us to understand that there is a day of grace when God offers forgiveness. If this grace is rejected too long, the time may come when God no longer calls. God’s forgiving grace is not to be presumed upon and, above all, we need to remember that once the trumpet sounds on judgment day it will be forever too late to repent and be forgiven.

When God forgives, His work is thorough and complete. He never forgives conditionally, saying, “I will forgive you this time, but you better not do this again.” Of course, it is God’s will that we never fall into sin again, but the work of forgiveness extended to mankind on true repentance is complete. David illustrated this by saying, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Pure, clean, fresh-fallen snow is the whitest substance we can imagine. What could be whiter? Only a heart washed in the blood of Jesus!

Practical Truths for Today

We receive forgiveness by humbly asking. We cannot buy it with good works; we cannot secure it with bribery or promises of improved performance. It is found by simply saying “I’m sorry” from the heart. This requires humility, which is contrary to human nature. It means denying our pride by which we tend to enumerate the worthwhile things in our lives.

One of the hallmarks of true repentance is abhorrence for sin. Unless we see the ugliness and filth of our sin and come to the point of rejecting it, forgiveness and future victory are impossible. The apostle Paul commended the Corinthian church, “Ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Cor. 7:11). This is the fruit of genuine repentance.

This abhorrence for sin is evident in David as he repeatedly brings out his need for cleansing. Just as God used the prophet Nathan’s simple analogy to help David understand the depths of his sin, so God uses various ways to show us our sin. Sometimes we need our brethren to help us. They may need to kindly point out the error of our way so that our eyes can be opened to how vile our sin really is. Human nature is inclined to offer justification for what we have done. Because “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9), the light of God must shine into our hearts to help us see our sin for what it is.

When we come to God with an honest heart, offering Him nothing, acknowledging our sin, and begging His forgiveness, we must believe that He will forgive. Sometimes God blesses us with an immediate infilling of the renewed joy of salvation, and we are assured that we have been forgiven. Other times we may not experience a noticeable change of emotion. In times like these, we must believe that God is faithful and that as He has promised, He has forgiven. We must go forward in faith, realizing that God has our very best in mind and will not fail to fulfill His promises. We must accept forgiveness as an undeserved favor from God and our fellowmen.

Although sin is sin because it violates God’s standard of righteousness, the nature of our sin often requires us to ask forgiveness of our fellowman. The conditions for obtaining forgiveness from others are the same as seeking forgiveness from God. We must come as a supplicant, realizing we do not deserve to be forgiven. Striving to be extra nice to the person whom we have wronged is no substitute for a heartfelt, humble apology. We must own our guilt and acknowledge our unworthiness.

Children brought up in Christian homes have a tremendous advantage as they see the example of their parents and other Christians forgiving others their trespasses. Though they must make a personal surrender when God lays their sin on their heart and calls them to repentance, having seen the godly example of other Christians confessing their sins bodes well.

The key to a successful Christian life, living in the grace of God, is found in the condition of our heart. “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Ps. 51:17). All the sacrifices we can make or all the offerings we can give are of no value unless they are offered from a heart that is broken and contrite. As this brokenness becomes our daily attitude, God opens a channel of communication to show us His will. This will include a readiness to ask forgiveness when He shows us that we have strayed from Him. No one, regardless of heritage or accomplishments, deserves to be saved or to be preserved from evil. Successful Christian living is accomplished only in living by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning blood.

Questions

1. How does the knowledge that I have sinned become a conviction of the heart that leads me to true repentance?
2. What spirit prompts a Christian to constantly confess every small mistake? How can I know when it is appropriate to ask forgiveness of my fellowman?
3. What is the way to teach young children how to find forgiveness without negating the weight of their personal sin that God will apply when He calls them to repentance? When does this become child evangelism?
4. Is repentance always involved in finding forgiveness?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).