Psalm 25:11 (NASB)
11 For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

As I was reading this Psalm today, I was reminded that our motivation to be pardoned from sin shouldn’t be for our benefit, but rather for God’s glory. It also teaches us that in God’s eyes, there is no gradation of sin, there are no small sins or big sins; they are all great. We attach varying significance to sin because we have a desire to make light of those “small” sins. After all, that small sin is really not significant to God. He will understand, won’t He?

It is easy for me to get both parts of this verse wrong. How often have I asked God for forgiveness with only the motive of how I might be impacted if I didn’t repent? I might miss out of some of those rewards in heaven that He has promised. I forget that my sin brings great dishonor to God. By repenting, it elevates His honor and that should be my only concern. Forgiveness comes at a high price, for God is just and will not dismiss our sin without payment. God’s grace and mercy shines no greater than when He pardons sin. For it shouts to creation itself the very acknowledgement of His perfect attributes.

It is also very easy to ask for forgiveness in hopes that something bad won’t happen to us. Forgiveness is for eternity, but we may encounter consequences in this life. Many people today expect that God will take away those consequences too, but He has never promised that in scripture. If we expect that, then our reason for repenting isn’t focused on His honor.

Since forgiveness is for His Name only and brings Him great glory, God is always ready to forgive sin – both great and small (in our minds), both many and few in number. If we are His and Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we have no reason to despair, and every reason to rejoice.

I pray that I will bring great honor to God today as I repent of my great sins against Him. May His glory be my only motivation. I pray this in Jesus’ name.

Always praying for the glory of God,