Key Points:

• A right / healthy relationship with God is the foundation for right / healthy relationships with others.
• Conviction of sin is a gift that reveals God's grace at work in our lives preparing us to change course.
• It is our response to sin that will either quality or disqualify us to be included in God's family and participate in God's purposes.
• When seeking forgiveness, justice is not on our side. Our only hope is to appeal to the mercy and love of God.
• Unforgiven sin separates us from God, robs us of joy and gladness, crushes our bones, and sabotages our purpose.
• Receiving forgiveness restores our relationship with God, increases our joy and gladness, gives life to our bodies, and frees us to fulfill God's purpose.
• God will not forgive what we are willing to tolerate, justify, or hide.
• True forgiveness moves us beyond behavior modification to heart transformation.

Prayer:

• Come, Holy Spirit, and stir in our hearts the gift of conviction. Increase our awareness of any sinful thoughts, attitudes, or actions that are hindering our relationship with you, ourselves, or others. Expose any sins of omission - the good we have failed to do. Holy Father, prepare our hearts to respond and receive by grace through faith your gracious forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• What consequences of sin am I noticing in my life?
• How am I experiencing God's gracious conviction of sin?
• How have I been hiding, justifying, rationalizing, or accepting my sin?
• Am I ready to respond to God's invitation with confession and repentance? Am I ready to trust God for cleansing, forgiveness, and transformation?

Scriptures:

• Psalm 51