Why has God pardoned me?

For Your name's sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. - Psalm 25:11

Did you catch that?  Did you see for who's sake David asked for his sins to be pardoned?  It was not for David's sake that he asked.  It was not so that he would live, or go to heaven, or benefit in any way.  He asked for the sake of the name of our Lord.  David saw that it is God's name that benefits when He pardons us.  It brings glory to, and magnifies, His name.  


We live in a very self-centered, individualistic culture and I would bet that many of us have never even considered this before.  To me this is another reminder of how much God has done for me and that my life is His.


How do you view God's pardon of your sin?  Do you see it as for your own sake so that you can have eternal life?  Or do you see it as for God's sake, bringing glory to His name?  Does (or would) viewing it as the latter change the way you live? As you consider this, look at verses 8 through 11.

⁸ Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.⁹ He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.¹⁰ All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.¹¹ For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.⁹ He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.¹⁰ All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.¹¹ For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. - Psalm 25:8-11