Justification And Confession Series

Psalm 51 Justification and Confession

Introduction:

My dear saints of Anna Nagar Methodist Church, today we are meditating on Justification and Confession. Justification is not a ‘legal fiction’ rather its an entry point to a life committed for holiness. Justification is only by the grace of God and faith in Christ.

David’s life was a mixture of good and evil, mixed with noble deeds, high aspirations, great accomplishments and stained with terrible and grave sins of Adultery and Murder. “An unlimited power leads a person to an ungrateful life and egotistical lifestyles”. However, he was known as the man of righteous because he never became an idolater in his life like that of other kings and princes, even he was not willing to spell or call their names through his mouth.

Psalm 51 came to us as a great Truth about a leader and it became an honest record by the Bible writers. This psalm is a queen of honesty and integrity. It teaches us that Justification is possible only by admitting oneself as a Sinner, accepting Jesus Christ as the Saviour. The justified person becomes an evangelist for a lifetime. That leads you to confess Jesus as the Lord of all.

1. David Admits that he is a Sinner (Psalm 51:1-9)

Today’s problem in the world is admitting SIN as sin. Some say it’s a mistake, for others it’s a weakness. Many think it’s common, so what. David uses very strong words about his sinful life, such as transgressions, iniquity and sin. Sin is against God (Psalm 51:4). He admits that man is sinful from the day he was conceived and from the day he was born (Psalm 51:5). So David prays to God ‘Cleanse me, wash me, blot out all my iniquity’ (Psalm 51:9). And ‘save me from bloodguilt’ (Psalm 51:14).

Now ….what are Sin and Guilt?

Bible calls all acts and deeds against the will of God is SIN. Missing the mark, missing the aim, target, the purpose is a sin. Sin is unbridled evil intentions and desires. ‘The impurity of lust transforms one into a slave of the devil’(Henry Edward Manning, Cardinal and Archbishop). Sin is normally categorised as ancestral sin and acquainted sin or Committed sin.

a. Original Sin or ancestral guilt refers to Sin inherited through birth. Even the children born to devoted Christian parents come under this Sin.

b. Committed Sin or acquainted sins are called seven deadly sins by early church fathers, namely, ‘pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth’.

In fact, It was developed by Monk Evagrius Ponticus (4th C) based on eight evil thoughts of the Greek world. These "evil thoughts" were categorized into three types:

• LUSTFUL APPETITE (gluttony, fornication, and avarice)

• IRASCIBILITY (wrath)

• MIND CORRUPTION (vainglory, sorrow, pride, and discouragement)

These were listed by Pope Gregory (AD 590) which were accepted by all denominations and retained them as part of their theological understanding on Sin.

Guilt is nothing but realisation that they have compromised their own standards of conduct or have violated universal moral standards. The moral is an intended decision and proper approved action. Immoral is an intended decision for an improper unapproved action. The problem of our generation is denying the power of Sin and the power of godliness.

In this Psalm, David acknowledged himself as a Sinner. Peter cried unto Jesus, “I am a Sinner, Please leave me”. Paul declared that ‘I am least of all Sinners’. Solomon says in his prayer that ‘There is no one who does not sin’ (1 Kings 8:46). For all have sinned and fall short of Glory (Romans 3:23). Isaiah admitted his Sin, Judah and other ten tribal heads admitted their sins. So they found life. But those who hid their sins were punished, e.g., Achan was stoned. Judas guilt made him hang himself.

2. David Acknowledges the Saviour(Psalm 51: 10-12 & 16-17)

David acknowledges that God had crushed the bone of Jesus Christ for the sins he had committed during his days (Psalm 51:8). So he prays to God, ”Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51: 10). David understood the need and importance of the presence of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit in his life (Psalm 51: 11). The presence of God is light (Psalm 90:8), glorious (Jude 24). Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:7). Moses pleaded with God to send his presence before their camp.

So David pleads with God to grant him a willing spirit and restore the joy of salvation which is only available in Christ (Psalm 51:12). David had experienced that forgiveness and justification cannot be bought with sacrifices and burnt offerings (Psalm 51:16). Only if God delights in righteous offerings, then he will grant them (Psalm 51:19).