Be Ye Doers. . . Of The Word!

Ask the average man on the street what his greatest problem is, and his answer will be taxes. Ask that same man what his greatest need is, and it will be food and a roof over his head. But man's greatest problem is sin, and his greatest need is forgiveness.

Nothing dramatizes man's greatest problem, or the need for forgiveness, more than when he is confronted by sin. The realization of his misconduct toward God awakens in him the inborn need for someone greater than himself. That someone is God. In no other, is there forgiveness. Nothing more clearly states this biblical fact than Nathan's confrontation with David.

II Samuel 12:1-6

And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, "There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him." And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." And Nathan said to David, "Thou art the man."

Immediately David's sins came upon him. He had killed Uriah. He had taken his wife. Not only was David and adulterer, but he was a murderer as well. David's cry was, "I have sinned against the Lord!"

II Samuel 12:1-15 is the background for Psalm 51.

In this Psalm, man's greatest need is highlighted – it is forgiveness. It is the same today. The only problem is that mankind's eyesight has become diminished concerning sin. Men are like horses with blinders – they see only the pleasures of sin instead of the effects of sin. The modernists of today would say that David was just a jet-setter doing his own thing and getting rid of the competition. Thank God for Nathan, a man of God who stood his ground in the face of the king of Israel to proclaim the King of all! Isaiah 58:1 states, Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. David's reconciliation with God is the same path that we must follow today.

#1 Cry For Mercy
Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

The cry for mercy must come first. It comes only when one realizes that he has sinned. That is what is so dangerous today. The world is anxious to do evil. David's cry was, "Have mercy upon me, O God. Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine sin!" David recognized his sin, and he owned up to it. He didn't say as Adam did in the garden, "The woman that you gave me. . ." David said, "My sin."

We are without excuse. We must take full responsibility for our sins and acknowledge them. David not only took responsibility for his sins, but he understood that mercy only comes from God. These two great truths must be understood before we can be reconciled.

#2 Confession Of Sin
Psalm 51:3-6

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Sin cannot be forgiven until it is confessed. "For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me." When we sin, and come to the realization of it, our sin will ever be before us. David remembered the murder of Uriah and his adultery with Bethsheba all his life. God's gift of memory is to help us not to fail again. When we realize that we have sinned, confession is the next door to go through. Just as the Prodigal Son said when he sinned, we must all say, "I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight." Confession leads not just to a new start, but to a new nature — a nature that states I can do nothing apart from God; and in submission to His will, I stand.

#3 Plea For Cleansing
Psalm 51:7-12

David pleads, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Remember, cleansing is not outward but inward! Christ taught this in Matthew 23:25-26: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also."

David understood these things for he said, "Create in me a clean heart," and "restore unto me the joy of thy salvation." These are not outward, but inward.

Sin separates us from God! Before we can ever be united with God, we must be cleansed. David understood that without holiness it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 12:14 says, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Holiness is not an outward show of piety, but it comes from a repentant heart.

#4 Consecration To The Lord
Psalms 51:13-17

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

David states then, after I have cried for mercy, confessed my sins, and received cleansing, I will teach transgressors thy ways, help sinners to be converted to thee, tell others of thy righteousness, and praise thee with my mouth. Why would David do all these things? Because God delivered him, and he had reconciliation with his God. The question of the hour is, "What are you going to do about sin?" How you answer this question will determine where you will spend eternity. Man's greatest need is forgiveness. Today, that forgiveness only comes through Jesus Christ. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Which way are you headed? If you are headed toward Jesus, then you will believe that He is the Christ (John 3:16), repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), confess Him before men (Matthew 10:32), be immersed for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Then, and only then, have you truly found Jesus.