Today’s Verse—Luke 5:32
[Jesus said,] “I have not come to get those who
think they are right with God to follow me. I have
come to get sinners to turn away from their sins.”
Dear Joey,
I’m really sorry about what I did to you. I feel awful. Really awful. I wish I could make it up to you. I’m soooo sorry. Really. To sum up, I’m really, really, really, really, really, really, really sorry. Please forgive me.
From your really, really, really, really sorry friend,
Pete
• • •
Have you ever written a really, really, really, really sorry letter? King David did—Psalm 51. And he was really sorry.
David had just committed a terrible sin. In this psalm, David took all the proper steps to show that he was repentant. This means he was sorry for his sin and planned to turn away from it.
The first step in repentance is confessing your sin to God and others. In verses 3–4, David cried out to God in prayer, saying, “I know the lawless acts I’ve committed. I can’t forget my sin. You are the one I’ve really sinned against. I’ve done what is evil in your sight.”
The second step is asking for forgiveness. In verse 8, David pleaded with God, “Let me hear you say, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ That will bring me joy and gladness. Let the body you have broken be glad.”
The third step is turning away from the sin. Commit to avoid this sin in the future. In verses 10–12, David prayed, “God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Don’t send me away from you. Don’t take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy that comes from being saved by you. Give me a spirit that obeys you. That will keep me going.”
Loquacious Learning with Eugene
The word repentance comes from the Greek word metanoeo, meaning “to change one’s mind” or one’s purpose—and the change is always for the better. It implies a change in thinking, and henceforth, a change in lifestyle. In geometrical terms, repenting would equal a 180-degree turn from sin. Not 90, not 120, but 180—to travel in the exact opposite direction as the sin. When sin is at your back, that is true repentance.
David’s reign as king was never quite as glorious after what he did. Still, the Bible never mentions David making the same mistake again. We all make mistakes. But those who repent of their mistakes will have the strongest relationships with God.
Daily Challenge
Pray about a specific sin today. Confess your sin to the person you harmed, ask for forgiveness, and ask God to help you turn away from the sin completely.
• • •
Overcoming Sin Theme Memory Verse—Romans 3:23–24
Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. The free gift of God’s grace makes all of us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free.