A reflection on Psalm 38, Isaiah 6:1-13, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, and John 7:53-8:11
We live in a spiritually confused age. Many want a loving God without confronting sin. Others speak of holiness without understanding mercy. Scripture refuses to separate what God has joined together. The Bible presents us with a powerful truth: God is holy, God is love, and His love calls us to repentance.
David’s words in Psalm 38 help us understand why this matters. He describes the deep emotional and spiritual pain of unconfessed sin. This is not shame for shame’s sake. It is the loving pain that drives us back to the heart of God.
What Is Sin?
In the Bible, sin is far more than “doing bad things.”
Sin is any thought, attitude, or action that falls short of God’s will and God’s character.
At its root, sin is relational. It is the heart turning away from God — choosing independence over surrender. When sin is ignored, defended, or hidden, it creates spiritual dullness and inner restlessness. Psalm 38 reminds us that silence about sin never leads to peace. Honesty before God does.
What Does It Mean That God Is Holy?
When Scripture says God is holy, it means He is morally perfect, completely pure, and utterly set apart.
God’s holiness exposes what is false and heals what is broken. Isaiah did not tremble because God was cruel, but because God was clean — and in that light, Isaiah saw himself clearly.
Our generation often prefers a God who comforts without confronting. But it is God’s holiness that makes His love trustworthy. A God who is not holy is not safe — and not worthy of worship.
What Is Repentance?
Repentance is often misunderstood and deeply minimized in modern Christianity.
It is not just feeling bad.
It is not just saying sorry.
It is not fear of punishment.
Biblically, repentance means a change of mind that leads to a change of direction.
It is the heart turning away from sin and turning back toward God.
True repentance includes:
• Honest sorrow over sin
• Humble confession without excuses
• A decisive turning away from what separates us from God
• A renewed desire to walk in obedience
Repentance is not something we do to earn God’s love. It is something we do because we have seen His love. It is not the doorway to shame — it is the doorway to freedom.
David’s pain in Psalm 38 was not the pain of rejection. It was the pain of awakening. Repentance is the soul waking up and coming home.
“God Is Love” — and God Is Light
Scripture says plainly, “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and just as plainly, “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
God’s love does not cancel His holiness.
God’s holiness does not weaken His love.
His love pursues us.
His holiness restores us.
The Cross: Where Love and Holiness Meet
At the cross, holiness and love are not in tension — they are united.
Sin is judged.
Justice is satisfied.
Mercy is released.
God did not ignore sin.
He absorbed it.
Repentance is our response to that grace. We do not repent to make God love us — we repent because God already loved us when we were far away.
Why This Message Matters Now
We live in a world that wants grace without repentance and acceptance without transformation. But real love transforms. Real mercy heals.
Repentance is not a harsh word — it is a hopeful one. It is not God pushing us away. It is God inviting us home.
A Holy God Who Loves and Restores
Holiness is who God is.
Love is how God reaches us.
Repentance is how we return.
This is the Gospel:
We turn, because He first loved.
A Prayer for Our Time
Holy and loving God,
give us courage to face our sin,
grace to repent honestly,
and hearts that hunger for Your holiness.
Restore us, forgive us, and make us new.
Amen.
The Curious Pilgrims 