Psalm 26: 1-3
“1 Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life. I have trusted in the Lord
and have not faltered. 2 Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.”
According to the dictionary, vindication is the act of clearing someone from blame. Who can say they have led a blameless life? Paul wrote in Romans 3: 23 that we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” If this is true, who can be vindicated?
Forgiveness is not vindication. It is God loving us while we are yet sinners and full of blame. Forgiveness is God’s undeserved grace; it is the washing away our sins and our guilt, but not the blame. Part of the process of repentance is acknowledging our sins and accepting the blame for them.
You see, we may be forgiven, but we still may have to suffer the consequences of our sins on earth. Our actions here on earth have temporal consequences that God does not remove. God may forgive us and the people we have hurt may forgive us, but our actions have ripple effects that will impact us for years.
Only Christ has led a blameless life. The rest of us need forgiveness, and the faith and courage to face the future.
May the love of Christ be with you
Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)
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