DAVID'S EXAMPLE

His story models what true repentance looks like. David wrote Psalm 51, a cry to God for forgiveness after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed to cover his sin.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart ... (Psalm 51:16-17)

David reminds us that there is nothing we can offer God to appease Him when we have sinned. Animal sacrifices used as bargaining chips were not what the Lord was looking for. Today, we witness those who have not grasped this vital truth. 

Rather than repent, immature believers try to 'clean up their act' ... resolving to give more, pray more, or busy themselves with religious activity; hoping that God will 'get over' being mad at them. This is nothing but misguided egotism dressed as an act of devotion.  

God wants none of that. External religious activity cannot replace internal, heartfelt contrition ... For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

When you see your wayward condition in the light of God's holiness and agree with Him how egregious your sin is, you have taken the first step toward reconciliation. As long as you try to justify, excuse, or rationalize the evil in your heart, you will never find your way back into His presence. 

The only path to forgiveness is a broken heart and a humble spirit .. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

Satan seeks to keep you from true repentance. He taps into your prideful nature, planting dissident thoughts to temper feelings of guilt: "My sin wasn’t that bad" ... "Compared to others, I'm good" ... "God's grace covers me so there's no need to confess". This trap eventually sears your conscience. 

But, when we throw ourselves on the mercy of God, He delights to lift us up ... But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but struck his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:13-14)

God hates sin. It is a violation of His very nature. You were created in His image but your sin mars it like a smudge on a mirror. A broken spirit and contrite heart invite the Lord to clean that smudge and restore you to a right relationship with Him.

You have this promise ... If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Remember pilgrim; feelings of remorse or regret are not sufficient substitutes for true repentance ... that of openly acknowledging your sin, turning from it, and crying out for God's cleansing.