In Psalm 51, part of the text in the Holy Scriptures written by King David, we learn about David’s repentance regarding the sin he committed with Bathsheba.

He begins by praying: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (Psalm 51:1-3). This is the state of a person who sinned and hasn’t resolved their sin with repentance. In other words, they sinned and then covered up the sin. When I say “resolving the problem of sin” there is only one way: sincere repentance before God and the abandonment of this sin. When people don’t resolve sin through repentance, they carry it within. And so, many people have their lives weighed down because they carry guilt inside.

King David even described in great detail how he became sick because of his sins. The person becomes depressed and starts to dislike themselves; they cannot accept what they have done. They try to escape sin for a while by making their lives busier. They try to run away from themselves.

God placed a conscience within us and created “natural laws.” Regardless of the country in which the person lives or their culture, laws are embedded within the human being that dictate that certain things are wrong. Everyone knows it’s wrong to kill or betray. And you can’t escape these laws, no matter how much people try to normalise what is wrong. The Law of God will constantly pound in human consciousness and expose sin. You can’t run away from sin.

So, what is the solution to sin? The Word of God presents us with repentance. It’s not remorse (which is just a feeling that doesn’t change the person). Repentance is a decision, followed by a confession of the error to whom you wronged (if your sin has caused harm to someone, you owe a confession to that person). It involves abandoning the error and changing your behaviour.

When a person repents, God resolves the problem of sin through His forgiveness. Thus, He removes the person’s sin, and they are free and no longer afraid.

If you have carried the weight of sin, you have no peace, you do not sleep well, and you are afraid of death because of sin, stop being a hostage. Face sin with sincere repentance, and you will never fear and run away again.

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