The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-07-19


strong temptation
he committed the
gross sin Of adultery, and then even
tried to cover over some Of the effects
Of It by being accessory to the sin Of
murder. Nevertheless, and because he
did really know God, his conviction Of
sin In the premises nearly broke his
heart. His cry Of repentance and ap-
peal for mercy are recorded In this
Psalm, whose wall of sorrow and sub
seQuent shout of Joy have been heard
through all the ages bringing instruc-
ton and comfort to many another SIN
ming saint.
1t Is for this reason 30 instructive
for us to observe how David returned
to God. First of all, he clearly and
definitely judged his own sin before
God. This is expressed in the first SIX
verses Of the Psalm where he cries out
for mercy. acknowledging his guilt and
pleading for a thorough cleansing from
his iniquity.
Forgiveness and Cleansing.
In the next division of the Psalm we
see forgiveness and cleansing accord.
ed him and secured on his part by
faith in the atoning blood. This IL
expressed in verses ITO. In the sym
bolism Of the hyssop, In the washing
OF his soul until 1t is whittier than snow.
In the blotting out Of his iniquity. and
In the creation within him of a clean
heart.
We now see the restored one filled
with the Spirit Of God, in verses 11-17.
lie is filed with the Joy Of salvation I;
he is filed with power to teach trans
gressors and convert sinners; he is
filled with the spirit of service and
with the spirit Of worship as indicated
in his overlooking praise, and the pre-
sentation unto God Of the sacrifice Of
a broken spirit and a contrite heart.
Finally he is seen In fellowship with
God and interested now. not so much
In things concerning himself, as In the
things that concern GOD. His cry is,
do good In thy good pleasure unto
Zion; build thou the walls Of Jeru.
SALEM"
The Same Truth In the New Testament
One finds all the more encourage
ment to urge this because the same
truth. only put in another way, is set
before us again In the New Tesla.
ment. You will find II In the First
Epistle OF John, chapter 1. verse 8,
where, addressing Christian believers,
he says, IF we confess our sins, He
q. e. God), is faithful and just TO for.
give us our sins. and to cleanse us
from all righteousness"
Because man is saved by Gods
grace through faith In Christ. 1. e.,
because he is a true Christian believ.
err, is not to say that he will never
again commit a sin against God. 1t lie
indeed his privilege, through the power
Of Gods spirit dwelling within him, to
continually live a life Of victory over
sin. and yet. like David, he may fall.
Under such circumstances, what IL
he to dor Has he lost out again
Has he utterly fallen never to be re-
stored any moref Has Christ's sac.
rifice forever lost its efficacy for him
No, thank God, Christ as his high
priest In heaven, ever liveth to make
intercession for him. And now. like
David again, II Is for him to Judge
his sin before God, for that is really
the meaning Of the word, Confess"
Let him do this, and he will find God
faithful and Just to forgive" him.
faithful" to his promise that means,
and "just" because Jesus Christ has
paid the penalty Of his-sin.
"Merelfui and Just"
That word "just" is full Of strength
and comfort for us. God Ii not only
"merciful" In forgiving the man who
comes to him through Christ, but he Is
"just" in doing 90. He Is "just" be-
cause that mans sins have already
been atoned for on the cross. and II
would be unjust to ignore that great
fact and to cast the man away.
This Is a lesson for Christian back.
sliders, and alas there are many Of
them In the church. Some Of them
would gladly return TO the fathers
house, but they are timid and fearful
and so discouraged. But let them take
heart again. for God loves and yearns
over them. The story Of the prodigsl
son in Luke Is was meant for them.
That which he did insured q loving
welcome for him In his old home. and
90 let them follow his example as out
lined In the language Of Psalm 81 and
I John %. They also will be met In
the same way. and know what II IL to
have the old Joy Of their salvation re-
stored unto them. because by grace