Young People's Group

DEALING WITH OUR SIN PROBLEM (III)

by Pastor Mitch
July 26, 2009

When Things Are Still Not Quite Right

Sin is a persistent enemy. It is not something that is easily eradicated. For King David, after recognising how he had sinned gravely against the Lord, he confessed his sins before Him. He sought the Lord for cleansing. He recognised how grave sin could be. However, David still did not feel quite right before God. He felt that he was still “dirty” in the sight of the Lord. He could sense that the Lord’s presence was still not with him. The joy of the Lord was still missing in his life. He knew that he needed to put in greater effort to deal with his sin problem. Young people, dealing with our sins requires more effort than we realise. We cannot merely ask for forgiveness and assume that everything is fine. True repentance would cause us to put in greater effort to deal with our sin problems thoroughly.

Further Effort Needed

What further effort did King David put in to deal with his sin problem?

1. Seeking Fullness Of Cleansing

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; 
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” 
Psalm 51:7

David realised that one round of seeking cleansing of his sin was not enough. He sought the Lord for a second round of cleansing of his transgressions. Hyssop is often used in the ritual acts of cleansing described in the laws of Moses. David sought further cleansing from God because he wanted to be pure before Him. Young people, let’s seek the Lord’s cleansing continuously until we are personally clean in His sight.

2. Seeking Re-Creation Of A Clean Heart And A Steadfast Spirit

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, 
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” 
Psalm 51:10

The Psalmist was asking the Lord to recreate within him a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. God has to do a work of purging our hearts of all wrong and sinful emotions. We need the Lord to renew within us a spirit that is steadfast in resisting sin. Only God can do this work in our hearts and spirits. Let’s seek to be strong against sin.

3. Seeking The Presence Of The Lord

“Do not cast me away from your presence, 
And do not take your Holy Spirit from me.” 
Psalm 51:11

The king of Israel was conscious of how when he sinned against the Lord, His comforting presence could be removed. He did not want the Spirit’s empowering presence to be removed with reference to his kingship. Let’s also seek the Lord’s presence in our lives even as we deal with our sins. May His Spirit always uphold us.

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