THE BLESSING OF FORGIVENESS 8/10/14

Read Psalm 32:1-5

One worker at a mental institution has expressed his opinion that a significant number of the patients could be released tomorrow if they only knew that they were forgiven.

Guilt is a terrible burden. I carried guilt for 7 years over something that I did when I was in high school I remember the relief I felt when I finally told my dad and the insurance company that I had lied about the accident. But that relief was small compared to the burden of guilt that was lifted when I finally received Christ as my Lord and Savior. I had peace at last, knowing that all my sins were paid for and that I was completely accepted by God. We have all seen bumper stickers that say, “Happiness is . . .”

Our passage this morning says that, “ HAPPINESS IS TO BE FORGIVEN.” It is the lifting of an enormous burden. It is the cancelation of an overwhelming debt. It allows our consciences to rest. We can enjoy peace at last. A forgiven person is a happy person. 1. How blessed is the person whose transgression is forgiven . 32:1-5 Maskil - a Psalm designed for teaching and reflection. Verses 1-2 state the theme Blessed- happy, fulfilled, prosperous a. The blessed person’s sin is covered . vv. 1-2 You and I have wronged and hurt others, but ultimately all sin is against God. Our sin is against God’s character. It violates His commandments. It is rebellion against His authority in our lives. In verses 1-2 we find three descriptions of sin. Transgression (pasha) - rebellion or defiance Sin (chatha)- to fail or fall short of the God’s standard You and I know what is right but we often fail to live up to it. Iniquity (aven)- to pervert, distort, twist, or act treacherously Taking that which is good and perverting it. This characterizes all sexual sins. • We sin in many ways. ♦ By our actions (Stealing, violence, sexual immorality) ♦ With our tongues (Lying, cursing, slandering, gossiping, causing strife cf. Psalm 31:13, 18, 20) ♦ In our hearts and minds (Pride, lust, bitterness, covetousness, envy, jealousy, selfish ambition) • In verses 1-2 we see three words that describe God’s forgiveness. ♦ His/her transgression is forgiven (removed) A similar (but different) term is used in :12 Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. ♦ His/her sin is covered (buried and forgotten) Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. ♦ The LORD does not impute iniquity to them. ◊ Does not into take into account our sin In whose spirit there is no deceit! ♦ Here the emphasis goes beyond our behavior to our hearts. ◊ The truly repentant person is genuine and sincere. Romans 4:7-8 "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. 8 "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." b. The child of God who is unwilling to deal with his/her sin will suffer . vv. 3-4 • The historical background of this Psalm is most likely ’s adultery with Bathsheba and then having her husband Uriah sent to the front of the battle so that he would be killed. • We, like David often try to ignore, cover up, deny, or excuse our sins. ♦ Our culture doesn’t use the “S” word anymore. ◊ Instead of confessing our sins we blame them on our environment, heredity, upbringing, etc. ♦ Our culture gives us all kinds of psychological excuses to justify and explain away our behavior. ◊ Hormonal, stage of life, mental illness

2 ♦ “I was tired.” ♦ “It’s not wrong, everyone is doing it.” ♦ “It’s not her fault. She had a difficult childhood.” ♦ “It’s my husband’s fault that I lost my temper.” ♦ “It’s my wife’s fault that I cheated on her.” ◊ “It wouldn’t have happened if she was more sensitive to my needs.” ♦ “What I am doing is natural. I was born this way.” ◊ “It’s God’s fault. After all He made me this way.” Cf Ecclesiastes 7:29; James 1:13- 16 • We don’t to want to take responsibility for our behavior. ♦ The problem is that God doesn’t forgive hormonal problems or psychological excuses. ◊ only died to forgive sins. v. 3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all daylong For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. . ♦ Psalm 31:10; 38:1-11 ♦ God actively disciplines the sins of His children. Hebrews 12:6-8 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 1 Corinthians 11:30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. Cf James 5:13-16; 1 John 5:16-17 c. The person who confesses his/her sin will be forgiven . v. 5 Confess- to call it what God calls it . ♦ I acknowledged my sin to You ♦ And my iniquity I did not hide ♦ I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" ◊ And You forgave the guilt of my sin. 1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ♦ All your sins are forgiven!!! 31:34 . . . "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."

3 Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. 2. There are three things we need to do if we desire God’s blessing . 32:6-9 a. Pray to God quickly. vv. 6-7 • Don’t put off confessing your sins. ♦ Don’t presume upon God’s grace. • If you are not yet a Christian, do not harden your heart. Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. John 6:37 ". . . the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. • If you are a Christian with unconfessed sin in your life, repent and confess you sin to God. Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. ♦ Confession needs to be a regular part of your daily walk with God. b. Follow God readily. vv. 8-10 • God promises to teach us and look after us. • We need to readily follow. • Don’t be stubborn. ♦♦♦ Do not be as the horse or as the mule. ◊ They have no understanding, ◊ They require a bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. ♦♦♦ Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but lovingkindness surrounds the person who trusts in the LORD. c. Rejoice in the Lord always. v. 11 Psalm 103:1-12 Mark 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

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