Today’s readings focus on the ideas of hope and forgiveness. David says “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” This Psalm was written after David’s sin with Bathsheba, so the idea of God’s forgiveness was an important and relevant one. David recognises that sin had the effect of separating him from God, and that forgiveness was an act of God’s love.
Paul describes the incredible gift of forgiveness that we have, through Christ. “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God”. We are reconciled to God through “the death of his son”, and now we have the chance to “walk in newness of life”.
As a result of this offer of reconciliation, Paul instructs his readers to “let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body”. Just because we can be forgiven doesn’t mean we should abandon our efforts to live in a Godly way. Rather, Paul suggests we become “slaves to righteousness”. I find this idea quite challenging, to be completely indentured to righteousness means has to affect our lives completely. How will you be a slave of righteousness today?