1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long.

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin.

— Psalm 32:1-3, 5

Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

— Psalm 51:2

Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

— Acts 3:19

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

— 2 Peter 3:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

— 1 John 1:9

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

What is the right way to repent and return to God? As humans, sin corrupts our thoughts, motives, and actions. True repentance involves three essential responses, all generated by the Holy Spirit. First, repentance includes conviction of sin? We will not turn to God until we recognize sin’s damage and the way our sin offends God’s righteous character and standards. Secondly, repentance brings contrition or godly sorrow over sin, which goes beyond guilt or sadness about sin’s consequences. Finally, a repentant sinner experiences conversion, or a deliberate turning away from their sin to obey God.

God compassionately desires sinners to repent from sin. Repentance and faith go hand in hand when sinners turn from sin and to Christ in repentance. God’s grace leads sinners to repent and receive the gift of salvation in Christ. A growing believer has received Christ’s salvation from sin’s penalty but continues to repent from specific sin in order to not carry sin’s weight himself but to receive the deliverance Jesus died to offer. And in response to the Holy Spirits sanctifying work, believers submissively recognize their personal accountability before God to experience His forgiveness and confidently return to God without condemnation. Hallelujah!