Psalms 32:1-2, NKJV, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”
Paid In Full
Shopping is a favorite pastime for many. Looking at the new clothes, furniture and accessories longing for that new item. Suppose you went shopping and didn’t resist the temptation to purchase. You bought everything you wanted on your credit card and accrued a debt of thousands of dollars. So excited for the moment, but then the realization afterwards of the debt you owed and had no way to pay it. The guilt gets heavier and heavier. Finally, the credit card bill you have dreaded all month finally arrived. Guilt and remorse flooded in tears as you open the envelope. You look in disbelief through the tears to see “Paid in Full”. A note was attached saying a multi-millionaire had paid your bill. He took your wrong and made it right. You are free from the debt and pressure of guilt. Can you imagine how that would feel?
Three Types of Sin
David knew how it felt to be free from his sin. Psalms 32 begins with a plural which could be translated as “Oh, the happinesses”. There are three Hebrew words used by David for three types of sin.
- transgression – rebellion, refusing to submit to authority. When we go against the law or authority in our lives, we transgress.
- Sin – to miss the mark. Sin is coming short of the aim which God intended us to reach.
- Iniquity – evil, wicked. Strongly conveys the idea of twisting or perverting deliberately. Anytime a person does something crooked, they have committed inquiry.
Freedom of Forgiveness
David knew the relief and freedom of forgiveness. When he carried his sin, he described it as his bones grew old, he groaned all day. He confessed his sin to the Lord and he found happiness and relief from his misery. David writes about three ways sins are forgiven.
- Forgiveness – to bear, carry off or take away a burden. Our sin is a burden God Himself bears or takes away once we confess. Are you familiar with the term scapegoat? Scapegoat is from the Hebrew sacrificial system. The high priest would take a goat, lay hands on its head and confess the people’s sins. Then the goat would be released into the wilderness depicting how God carried their sins away.
This sacrificial system pointed to Jesus Christ. He is the final scapegoat for our sins which He bore once and for all.
(2)Covered – out of sight, hidden from God. He will never bring our sins as a matter of judgement between Him and us. Our sins are covered by His blood.
(3) Impute – not counted, not charged to our account. We are free from the debt we owe.
Confession Brings Happiness
David found “happinesses” when he confessed his sins to the Lord. His burden was lifted, his sins were carried away out of sight and not charged to his account.
Romans 3:23, NKJV, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
I John 1:9, NKJV, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Cleansed in the Blood
The Bible is clear that everyone has sinned. We all fall short of the perfection that God desires for our life. Jesus Christ is the only person that lived a life without sin.
However, no matter whether you have transgressed, sinned or committed iniquity, God forgives and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. We are cleansed in the blood of Jesus.
Are you burdened by sin in your life? Confess your sins to the Lord. Find the happinesses that forgiveness brings. Your account has been Paid in Full.
Paula Wallace
https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2018/06/18/sheltering-trees/
