AUG. 3: GOD’S FORGIVENESS

Focal Passage: Psalm 32:1-11

Church discipline virtually disappeared from Southern Baptist churches for several generations and wasn’t emphasized in theological discussions until the dawn of the twenty-first century. While there were probably multiple contributing factors that brought about such a large-scale absence of accountability, the misuse of discipline was likely a major reason. 

Many of our churches have nineteenth-century records of removing members found guilty of offenses like drinking, dancing, and, in the first church I pastored, horse trading in the church yard. In most of these cases, the offenders were simply brought before the church and dismissed — a fast forward to the final step Jesus gave in Matthew 18:15-17. Instead of going to a brother and showing him his fault with the goal of leading him to repentance, he was simply tagged out like a runner missing second base. 

Our forebearers weren’t simply failing to check all the boxes of the biblical process, they were missing the heart of God. The Holy Spirit doesn’t convict believers of sin to leave them in misery or hopelessness. He allows us to feel the weight of our sin so that, like the Prodigal Son, we run from the pig pen and back to the joy, safety, and blessings of home. Although Jesus told that story to describe the conversion of sinners (and ultimately the people angry at their conversion), we will experience a similar reality every time we get out of the Father’s will. No, we don’t get resaved, but we certainly get restored to a close relationship with the Father who loves us too much to let us do whatever we want.

Psalm 32 opens with a declaration of the joy experienced when one’s sins are forgiven. Why does the psalmist say this joy comes to the one “in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psalm 32:2b)? He had attempted to keep silent, refusing to acknowledge his sin before God. He was pretending everything was alright with God! God’s heavy hand of conviction (Psalm 32:4) made him groan continually with brittle bones and sapped strength. However, confession of sin brings joy and relief, even when we have to face the consequences of our sin, because our guilt (Psalm 32:5b) is removed. 

Some believers attempt to object to the need for ongoing repentance, because the Lord forgave them when they got saved. That is obviously true in the big picture, but you cannot maintain a close walk closely with the Lord without addressing the sin that distances you from Him. Think of it like automotive maintenance. When the odometer says it’s time to change your oil, you don’t respond by saying, “I did that a year ago!” Regular maintenance is required if you want to have a good relationship with your car. Sadly, some believers maintain their cars more carefully than their walk with God!

The psalmist exhorted the faithful to pray to God immediately (Psalm 32:6a), because prevention is the best course of action when dealing with sin. If we pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), we will keep short accounts with God. Long accounts mean a lot of debt has accumulated that will take great effort to overcome. May God make us sensitive to His Spirit’s correction so that we walk in the light of forgiveness and not in the shadows of guilt. B&R