Forgiveness of Sin and the Holy Spirit

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” [1]

The Bible teaches that we are born with a sin nature. It is natural, but not advantageous, for sinners to sin.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” [2]

Rather than wait for purgatory to be purged of sin as some teach, King David asked the Lord to purge his sin in the here and now.

Hyssop was used to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the door posts of one’s home. When the angel of the Lord saw the blood of the lamb on the entry posts of people’s homes, he did not strike anyone dead. [3] So vital it is that our sin be purged by the blood of a lamb that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be THE LAMB of GOD who takes away the sin of the world.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” [4]

King Saul took God’s grace in vain. He was not faithful to the Lord. God did take His Holy Spirit from Saul. An evil spirit came upon him so that he began to persecute his son-in-law, David. He made every effort to kill David but failed. He ended up taking his own life. After all this, David sinned by taking the life of one of his faithful soldiers, and by committing adultery with the soldier’s wife. He repented. David experienced severe consequences for these sins, but the Lord did not take His Spirit from David. God forgave his sin.

“Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.” [5]

Grateful for God’s grace, David proceeded to tell sinners about the Lord. In a sense, he is still doing so as people read the Psalms which God inspired him to write.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” [6]

David was broken and contrite in regards to his sin. God saw that! God accepted his repentance.

Later on, David’s son, Solomon wrote, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be healthy for your flesh and strengthen your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” [7]

Rather than think highly of self, think highly of the Lord. Give unto the Lord the glory that He so richly deserves!

“Surely He scorns the scornful but gives grace to the humble.” [8]

“Yes Lord, help us to be humble. To accept that what You say is true, and to act upon it. Please forgive our sins and fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit to lead others to You. For it is in the Name of Jesus, that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 51:5
[2] Psalm 51:7
[3] Exodus 12:22
[4] Psalm 51:10-11
[5] Psalm 51:13
[6] Psalm 51:17
[7] Proverbs 3:7-10
[8] Proverbs 3:34