I think we should all just admit it… none of us likes getting caught or owning up to our mistakes. It is human nature to deflect, deny, hide, and rationalize. Owning up to a mistake hurts our pride and makes us feel weak. It is no wonder we have all become masters of spinning the story to make ourselves look better. It is also no wonder so many people lie awake at night with no sense of peace deep in their souls. At the end of the day, regardless of how well we manipulate the story in our favor, we know we messed up. We know we are to blame.

So what is the solution? Well, it is imperative that we take ownership of our sinfulness. My mistakes are my mistakes. My sins are my sins. You know what else is true? Your mistakes are your mistakes. Your sins are your sins. Taking ownership of these things is difficult but important. Why? Because ownership of your sin is the first step toward repentance.

When you read the scriptures, this is where God is really working to get each one of us. He wants us to agree with Him that we are broken and sinful and that we need to be rescued. He wants us to turn from our sinfulness and walk in a new direction. He wants to save us from ourselves.

King David was referred to as a man after God’s own heart. This seems crazy considering he got another man’s wife pregnant and then had the man killed in an attempt to cover it up. How is it even possible that he could be a man after God’s own heart? I think it is because God’s heart is one of ownership. God’s heart is one of clarity. God’s heart is one of accountability. God’s heart is a heart of truth.

When David was confronted about his sin, he responded by saying, “I have sinned against the Lord.” We could learn a lot from that response because it is so different from how we tend to respond. David owned his failure. David repented of his failure. David learned from his failure. David, through repentance, found forgiveness, and so will we.

So what will it be? Will you respond to your sin as usual, or will you respond like David? Forgiveness and redemption are only found in the latter.

So let’s all say it together for practice, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Now, when you say it and mean it, God will respond with mercy and grace.