“Certainly, I was guilty when I was born. I was sinful when my mother conceived me. Since you desire truth on the inside, in my hidden heart you teach me wisdom. Remove my sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness.” Psalm 51:5-8

Dear Heavenly Father, I see in your word the two primary ingredients of true spirituality. 1.) You want me to be honest about my sins and the sinful nature from which they come. 2) You want me to depend solely on your grace and mercy. Thank you for your word that enlightened me to both of these. I am a sinner and I confess my sins to you. I have no hope but that you would be the gracious God you always have been. Forgive me for Jesus’ sake and restore to me the joy of a clean slate and a pure heart. Help me to live in the beauty of mercy all day today. Amen.

The pathway to real relationships with God, yourself and people is honesty about sin and faith in God’s grace. Don’t let anyone get you off that path.