Father, sometimes I forget that you convict me of sin because you love me. Thank you for wanting me to be more like you.

Love Alone Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. —PSALM 32:1-2 When David, the second king of Israel, committed adultery with Bathsheba and then plotted the death of Bathsheba's husband, God loved him too much to let him live with his sin. Here is how David described God's conviction:"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me" (Psalm 32:3-4). God knew that only when David confessed his sin could he live out his calling. When we follow God's example, love alone prompts us to confront someone who has done wrong, receive his apology, and grant pardon. We forgive because we want our offender to be free. We celebrate with him when he confesses, because we know God celebrates with us when we confess. That's why the first step in becoming a loving person is to acknowledge our own sinful behavior. That helps us avoid turning an opportunity to forgive into a moment of superiority. We cannot give what we have not received. When we have experienced the love that leads God to pardon our sins, we are able to extend that love to others.