“It is not wrong to cry out and confess, ‘O wretched man that I am’.  Perhaps it would even be better if we said that more often. But it is wrong, dear Christian, to stop there.” (Stephen Vela)

Each time we are reminded of our wretchedness, it is another opportunity to intently dwell on everything Jesus has accomplished for those who come to Him in faith and repentance. It is by His grace our eyes are even opened to the reality of our sinfulness before the Lord. Most of the world cannot see or understand their desperate need of a Savior, for their eyes have been blinded and their heart has been hardened by the deceitfulness of their sin.  It is only when we acknowledge our sin, we can experience the love of Christ as He forgives, comforts and restores us.

In Psalm 38, David describes the effect of his sin like this: 

“There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation;

there is no health in my bones because of my sin.

For my iniquities have gone over my head;

like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

So often we try to blame the heavy weight of our sin we carry around on others, refusing to admit it is our own sin that causes much of our pain. We flatter ourselves in our own eyes so that our own guilt cannot be found out and hated. (Psalm 36)

I’m learning the more aware I become of my own wretched state, the more I am able to rejoice in the overwhelming love and grace of Christ. Those who have been forgiven much, love Jesus much. I’m continually amazed at the times of refreshment God brings through confession and repentance.

The next time our heart is filled with guilt and shame, I pray we will all run to Jesus quickly to confess where we have fallen. It is right to mourn our sin and it is essential we remember the boundless grace of God. The Lord will always be faithful to forgive and to restore the joy of our salvation as He reminds us that “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”  (1 Peter 2:24)