Psalms 51

Today’s Sunday School class was very interesting.

It was based on Psalms 51

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

    blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

    and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,

    and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

    and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

    and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth,

    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins

    and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

    so that sinners will turn back to you.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

    you who are God my Savior,

    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

Open my lips, Lord,

    and my mouth will declare your praise.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

    a broken and contrite heart

    you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion,

    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,

    in burnt offerings offered whole;

    then bulls will be offered on your altar.
It was about consequences. And whether we think God still punishes us when we sin.
Or are we truly covered by his Grace? Because Jesus died for our sins.
Punishment verses’ Consequences.
We went around the table and had to share how we were punished as a child when we did something wrong, and whether we still sin, (as adults) knowing ahead of time what the consequences may be. Or does knowing about consequences hold us back. Or… Do we still fear the wrath of God, per OT.

Almost everyone said that they got the paddle or tree branch when they did wrong. But one lady in her sixties, said that her punishment was being forced under her bed in the dark with no supper. It was very sad hearing her story. She shared that to this day, she is still afraid of the dark. 

Many people said that religion has kept them on the straight and narrow. 

Personally, I did not grow up as a Christian, and was pretty much free ranged. I got in trouble a lot. Therefore I always had to live with the consequences. Which were mainly privileges taken away. I was never shamed or spanked though.

And as far as God punishing us for our sins nowadays? 

I can’t really say.

I know we have grace though. And are forgiven. Even if we do not ask for forgiveness or go to confession, etc. 

I know many religions teach that we need to keep asking for forgiveness every time we mess up. But I do not see any biblical account for this in the NT. 

We are forgiven if we are saved. It’s that simple.

This is not a free pass to mess up and sin though. Which Paul clearly states in the NT.

Consequences on the other hand, at least in my opinion, fall hand and hand with free-will. 

God gives us free will to do as we please. 

This is why there is so much violence in this world.

But there are always consequences for our actions. And that is what has kept me on the straight and narrow. For the most part.

I am an adult and can for-see what the consequences will/would be, before the action. 

I’m thankful to have grown up and given up my reckless ways. I am far from perfect. But I am not the same person I was last year. Emotionally, and Spiritually. 

And I thank the Lord for his never failing, ever lasting love, mercy, and GRACE. ❤️