“I Have a Confession to Make …” 

It’s obvious we live in a world fueled by guilt. Look no further than T.V. advertising – which attempts to “guilt” us into buying the latest and greatest and then tries to convince us that “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” In fact, now get this - psychologists claim that most of the patients they see would be cured if they could be convinced the guilt they feel isn’t real. Wow. This is a particularly thorny issue for Christians, because Christ has promised us a peace that defies human logic. Yet precious few of us lay claim to this promise – much less live it out in our day-to-day lives. In today’s society, placing blame on others (or other “things”) is more than popular – it’s the norm. Denial becomes amnesia, and amnesia translates into innocence. The problem with all this is that it’s based on FEELINGS, instead of the eternal Word of God. For the record, “feelings” are a horrible teacher. Eventually, you’re “feelings” stop being a horrible teacher, and instead become a dominating master.

Psalm 51 – David’s confession and repentance resulted in action, and follows this pattern:

• Jesus, forgive me … if you feel like you need to justify your sin, you aren’t ready to be forgiven. 

1. Verses 1-2 We need to appeal to God’s love and mercy

Sin has a way of distorting and obscuring God and His will for our lives.

Repentance has a way of lifting the scales off our eyes so we can see Jesus.

2. Verses 3-4 We need to confess our sinful conduct and name it specifically

David didn’t try to shift the blame for his sin. This psalm doesn’t contain one

single word of self-justification. He faced his sin head-on and called it what it

was: HIS sin. Remember – God doesn’t forgive weakness; he only forgives sin.

• Jesus, cleanse me … how we respond when we sin reveals everything about our “faith.” 

3. Verses 5-6 We need to acknowledge God’s desire for our lives

Sometimes we allow God into the living room of our hearts, but we don’t allow

Him into the attic where all the junk is stored.

4. Verses 7-12 We need to ask for forgiveness and restoration

Cleanse me…wash me…blot out all my sin…create in me a clean heart…

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.

• Jesus, use me … forgiven sinners make the best witnesses, because they speak from experience. 

5. Verse 13 We need to, in turn, teach others

The real purpose of repentance is so we can begin to effectively minister and

witness to others.

6. Verses 14-17 We need to offer praise – a contrite, broken heart

Let’s be honest – God couldn’t care less about our rituals, customs, activity

and agendas – what He wants is a contrite, broken heart (humility).

Bottom Line: Consider this: the primary and most important aspect of our prayer life is genuine repentance, which brings forgiveness, restoration and healing – and the end result of that cycle is action. Confession without repentance is like dumping all the garbage out of the sack…rummaging through it…naming it before God…and then picking it up all over again. David committed himself to serving God with his restored life, and leading other needy people to Him. True repentance results in joy – and in changed lives!