“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you obey?”
(Romans 6:16)
In Psalm 51, as David cries to the Lord, “Purge me with hyssop and I should be clean,” it is notable that he understands that the penalty for his sin is death (v.7). The story of his sin and its’ cost can be read in 2 Samuel 11 & 12. His sin must be paid for. Pastor David Platt adds, “in our sin, we can only approach God through the sacrifice of another in the place of our sin. That kind of cleansing is costly for that sacrifice and free for us. This is the wonder of God’s grace” (“The Confession of Man and the Compassion of God”, May 10, 2014).
Paul’s letter to God’s people claims that sin’s power has been broken! He continues to say, “we are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin…Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves in righteous living” (Romans 6:6-7,18).
Platt introduces a third truth in his sermon, “Confession is the connection between our sin and God’s grace. How can you and I be clean before God?”
Cry out, cry out to God. And if you do not have the words, you may use David’s (Psalm 51):
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins…
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned…
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me…
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you…
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit and repentant heart, O God.
Through honest reflection, we come to believe and live a life reflecting God’s grace. For man hides no secrets from God. There are no more cover-ups for our sin before God.
We cannot live by the standards of the world, for then we become slaves of the world. Rather, we must concentrate on the laws and personal words from God. In the narrative of David’s life during the profession of these words, we find, “The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). David is not trying to cover up what he has done any longer. He is justified before God’s eyes and boldly asks God to rid him of his transgressions. He is a man humbled in confession.
Platt explains that David understands, “sacrifice is an outward ritual that must reflect an inward reality.”
Yet, we as David did as well, continue to struggle. Paul stencils such a personal conviction (Romans 7:7-25):
If there were no law, sin would not have hat power [to arise such desires within me]…[Sin] uses God’s good commands for its own evil purposes. So the trouble it is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all to human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate…
…I have discovered this principle of life–that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Remember that Jesus is the answer, and because His death has claimed victory over sin for all of mankind, we can rejoice, knowing that “not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38)!
Press on, even if you must chant it as a reminder, press on: “I press on…Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on” (Philippians 3:12-14).
And when faced by temptations, tribulations, and feelings of defeat, prepare for battle. Paul has left us with strength and encouragement (Ephesians 6:5-18):
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so you will stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world…resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop fiery arrows of the devil. Out on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.
gratifying adventure 