“Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness” (Psalms 51:14)

King David savingly repented after the prophet Nathan told him, “you have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon” (2 Samuel 12:9). David’s response is evidence of saving repentance, and not just sorrow for sin. Here’s how we know:

 1) He didn’t shift the blame. David states plainly he’s guilty, even though, Nathan gave him an opportunity to shift the blame. Any unregenerate politician would have blamed the Ammonites. 

 2) He didn’t minimize the sin. He doesn’t call it manslaughter, an unfortunate accident, or a war casualty. Although He didn’t hold the sword or throw the rock himself, he planned the death in his heart. 

 3) He didn’t try to make a deal with God. Saints are blind when they forget they were cleansed from old sins (2 Peter 1:3). They try to appease God with dead works (Hebrews 6: 1) instead of repenting unconditionally of sin. David remembers the basis of His acceptance with God is mercy and grace. “You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise” (Psalms 51:16-17). 

 4) He unconditionally admits sinning against God. David says to God, “Against You, You only, have I sinned”. For the saint, guilt is always with God alone. There are infinite ways sinners and saints can delude themselves about sin, but not with God. 

 Don’t try to cover your sin. You can’t fool God. While the sinner hates the fact that God knows his heart, the saint should love the fact that God knows his heart. The saint, who unconditionally submits to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, rejoices that God knows the motivations of his heart. What others think is not important. 

 “I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalms 73:22-26).