What the Bible says about Sin, Enormity of
(From Forerunner Commentary)
When David saw the enormity of his sin, he realized he had hurt God and His purpose. His sorrow, chagrin, and remorse reached deeply into his heart, mind, and entire being. Our opposition to God should create a similar deep emotional response in us, for we have all played major roles in our Savior's death. He died for our sins. Emotional sorrow alone is not the answer, however. Paul says godly sorrow produces repentance (change) toward salvation, while worldly sorrow is like saying, "I'm sorry I got caught. I'll be more careful next time I sin."
Martin G. Collins
Basic Doctrines: RepentanceRelated Topics: David | David's Adultery | David's Heart | David's Repentance | Remorse | Repentance | Repentance as Change | Repentance of Human Nature | Sin, Enormity of | Sorrow | Sorrow, Emotional
This proves that late in his life as an apostle, Paul was still keenly aware of the enormity of what he had been forgiven. He probably purposely kept this memory alive so as not to take any chance of losing his sense of responsibility. He understood human nature well, not wanting to risk losing the proper perspective that Christ had given him at the beginning. Rather than carry it about as a burdensome load of guilt, he used it as a realistic recognition of his indebtedness to Christ for what he had been forgiven and what had been accomplished since that time.
John W. Ritenbaugh
An Unpayable Debt and ObligationRelated Topics: Debt | Debt, Our Unpayable | Forgiveness | Forgiveness of Sins | Guilt | Indebtedness | Indebtedness to Christ | Indebtedness to God | Responsibility, Sense of | Sin | Sin, Enormity of