Psalms 38:4 - Homiletics

Conviction of sin an element of true Christian life.

"As a heavy burden." Jonah, when carried down in his living tomb to "the roots of the mountains," with the sea-weeds about his head, was not plunged in a deeper sea of trouble than David in the experience this psalm records (comp. Psalms 32:3-5 ). He felt that his troubles were the just and wise chastisement of his sins; and they lead him to confession (verse 18). He humbly bows under God's hand; but only prays that he may feel that chastisement is not in wrath, but in mercy (verse 1; cf. Hebrews 12:5 , etc.). These words supply a starting-point for some remarks on conviction of sin as an element in true Christian life.

I. CONVICTION OF SIN — q.d. sorrowful sense of blameworthiness before God— SPRINGS FROM A TRIPLE ROOT :

1. The natural effect of persistent sin is to deaden conscience ( Ephesians 5:19 ). Conscience may be awake, but completely perverted by ignorance or false belief; e.g. the heathen mother flinging her infant into the Ganges ( Acts 26:9 ). When the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the mind, and applies the truth to the heart, sin is seen and felt to be "exceeding sinful" ( Romans 7:7-13 ). Hence to a tender, rightly informed conscience, things appear sinful in which an ungodly heart discerns no harm.

2 . We sin in many other ways than in deliberate acts of conscious transgression. We "leave undone what we ought to do;" fail in intention, in mixed unworthy motives, even when our action is good; selfishness, cowardice, sloth, unfaithfulness; falling (how far!) short of the Divine standard—love to God with all the heart , mind , soul , strength , and to our neighbour as ourself. We may know all this, confess it, seek pardon; but it does not oppress and burden conscience like some definite act of sin—perhaps long past—which stands out with frightful clearness in the memory ( Psalms 51:3 ).

3 . The measure of the sinfulness of sin is its opposition to holiness. The Bible standard of holiness is God's character revealed to us, above all, in Christ ( 1 Peter 1:15 , 1 Peter 1:16 ). Therefore our view of our own sinfulness will depend on our clear and affecting apprehension of God's holiness. The robe that looks white in dim light will betray all its spots and stains in midday sunshine.

II. EXPERIENCE GREATLY VARIES , EVEN IN REAL CHRISTIANS , REGARDING CONVICTION OF SIN . With some, overwhelming; with others, consciously deficient. This may arise from either of the sources spoken of, or a combination—tenderness or dulness of conscience, remembrance of particular sins, closeness of converse with God, and deep and lofty views of holiness. Some Christians may be patterns , but none are models , for others.

III. DIM , FEEBLE SENSE OF SIN AND OF ITS EVIL SEEMS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CHRISTIANITY OF TO - DAY . There is a great advance in prevailing views and teaching regarding Divine love; but no corresponding advance regarding Divine righteousness and holiness. This tends to enfeeble Christian life and work. Nothing is more dangerous than the use of exaggerated language to express our inner life. Let no Christian for whom they would be exaggerated and unreal adopt the words of the text. But let us seek a quickened conscience, a faithful self-knowledge, above all, nearness to God, that we may see all sin, and our own, in the light both of his holiness and of his love.