The forgiveness of God is constant,
our enjoyment of it is conditional
2 Samuel 11:1-2 NLT
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.
2 Samuel 12:7,9 NLT
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul…Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.
3 steps to enjoying God’s full forgiveness for the rest of your life:
Experience Complete Brokenness
Psalm 51:17 NIV
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Psalm 34:18 NIV
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Express Your Humble Confession
Psalm 51:3-4 NIV
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.
1 John 1:9 NIV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Expect Total Restoration
Psalm 51:2,7,10,12 NIV
…Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
…Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
…Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
…Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:14-15 NIV
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.