Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (Psalm 51:2,3)
Every person upon this earth is prone to sin and it is something that we can do in abundance. As Christians, we’re instructed to live pure and godly lives, but we often fall short. I’m amazed when I hear some people say that they’ve overcome sin and are now sinless — falsely believing that they have some how achieved sinless perfection (see Romans 7:24). Our lives don’t have to be ruled by sin, but we will slip up occasionally — sometimes badly.
David’s Sin, Cover Up, And Confession
David was one such follower of the Lord who blew it big time. He lusted after another man’s wife, committed adultery with her, attempted to cover up his sin by having her righteous husband killed off 
in battle, and lived a life of denial for many months thereafter. Finally, when the prophet of God confronted him about his sin, David readily confessed — perhaps just as glad to be relieved of the heavy burden as wanting to make his life right with God again.
In our culture today, we love to “dig up dirt” about other people and broadcast it for all of the world to see. Even when someone has clearly repented of their transgression, there are people who reach back into history and pull up unseemly information about that individual. Oftentimes, this done under the guise of “people’s right to know” when God calls it something else: gossip.
In David’s case, his sins were made apparent to all because of the position that he was in. As the human ruler of Israel, God put plenty of responsibility on his shoulders to guide His people. David’s sins could have brought down the entire country, but God let him bear the responsibility and suffer personal consequences. In the midst of his sinning, David got the other man’s wife, Bathsheba, pregnant and she ended up losing their child (see 2 Samuel 12:15).
The Restoration Of David
After we genuinely confess our sin to God, forgiveness is instant but restoration takes time. We can’t pretend that we’ve sinned and all is done and simply forgotten and that is the end of that. Rather there is a time of restoration that takes place.
It isn’t penance — where we atone for our sin, which is something that only Jesus can do — rather, it is allowing God to begin healing our hearts and souls, bringing us to the point where we can once again serve Him freely (without guilt and shame weighing us down).
David is an excellent example of someone who recognized his sin, knew that he deserved God’s punishment (God could have killed him), but also recognized the mercy of God and the consequences his sin brought forth (death of a child, rebellion of Absalom, public disgrace and humiliation, etc.) Still, God was merciful to David, allowing him and Bathsheba to bear a son, Solomon, whom God loved and whose name is in the lineage of Jesus.
Have You Confessed Your Sins To God?
Of course, sinning has its consequences and it isn’t something we should do. God knows our frail condition and is there to intervene on our behalf.
If you’ve never committed your life to Jesus Christ, your sins are separating you from God. Only Jesus can forgive you of your sins as He atoned for all sins — past, present, and future — when He died upon the cross. Confess your sins to Jesus and allow Him to take full control over your life, bringing healing and restoration to you.
God loves you just as you are, but He also loves you too much to leave you as you are.
Further Reading
David and Bathsheba: Sin, Cover-up, Condemnation, and Restoration
The Dangers of “Sinless Perfection” Doctrine
