Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me of my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Psalm 51:2-3
I really don’t like being wrong. More importantly, I really don’t like admitting that I am wrong. As a young man I often chose to believe that I was not wrong, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Somewhere along the maturing process I came to realize that I am wrong. A lot.
I think many people outside of the church think many Christians are like that young man I used to be. A common complaint I have heard about Christians is that we are perceived to be judgmental and hypocritical. Basically, we Christians are often viewed as a people that think we know all of the answers… even though we fail to live up to what we preach.
What I love about Psalm 51 is the honesty in the heart of the psalmist in regards to sin. My sin is always before me… Indeed I was born guilty. Often times we look at sin as something non-Christians do. Whenever there is an act of terrorism or a natural disaster there are outspoken Christians who are quick to pass judgment and suggest that the victims got what they deserved because of their sin. Those people are assuming that the sin of others is greater in God’s eyes than their own sin. The psalmist goes on to say “I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” But this ability to teach does not come without first having contrition and forgiveness.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” We are all sinners. We all fall short of the glory of God. Lent is a time of prayer and preparation. It is a perfect time to admit our sins to God and ourselves, ask for forgiveness, and welcome in His spirit. We can then take the message of Jesus out to the world… not with judgments… but with honesty and humility.
God, I am a sinner. Every day I fall short of your glory. Take my broken spirit and my contrite heart as my sacrifice and fill me with the joy of your Holy Spirit… so that I can go out into the world as an honest and humble servant of your Word. Amen.
