Having experienced such a gracious revitalization, feeling invigorated for the Lord’s work, the penitent becomes ready for every righteous deed and labor, as long as they discern what genuinely pleases God and contributes to salvation.
This transformation in the heart of the repentant is illustrated by the prophet in the current passage. “My ways have I made known”—this signifies a confession of sins; “Thou hast heard me”—You, O Lord, have accepted my confession and forgiven all my iniquities; “teach me by Thy justification”—clarify precisely what I should do to avoid wrongdoing, as I have already received Your grace. “My paths shall be made known”—thus, the paths are not inherently good, as Blessed Augustine points out. The ways of man are those along which they journey to gratify their own desires—ways that contrast with God's ways, which lead to self-denial and alignment with divine will.
St. Ambrose elaborates: “It is vital to understand what it means to walk in one’s own paths and what it means to walk in God’s ways. The one who follows the desires of the flesh and indulges in worldly comforts walks in their own paths, reveling in them; but the one who seeks not self-pleasure but rather what pleases God walks in the Lord’s ways.” It becomes evident that our paths diverge from God’s. Therefore, anyone wishing to follow God’s ways must first forsake their own, casting away the inclinations of the flesh and the wisdom of this age; they must openly admit these before God, holding nothing back. St. Hilary notes, “The proclamation in the words ‘My ways have I proclaimed’ reflects not glory, but a penitential acknowledgment of sin.”
Confessing sins allows for the readiness to receive and learn God’s justifications. Forgiveness is promised: “and Thou hast heard me.” The prophet further illustrates God's immense mercy: “My iniquity I have known, and my sin hath not been covered; I say, Let me confess my iniquity unto the Lord, and Thou hast forsaken the wickedness of my heart” (Psalm 31:5). Such a gracious pledge from God aligns with the law expressed in the Spirit's communications. As St. Isaiah notes on behalf of God, “Thou shalt speak thy iniquities first, that thou mayest be justified” (Isaiah 43:26). The key to forgiveness lies in a sincere confession—one that is unflinching and fully discloses the soul’s condition, revealing the penitent as their troubled yet grace-illuminated conscience perceives them. Only such a confession opens the door to hope for future correction.
“As St. Ambrose states, abandoning his sins, David lays them bare before God, omitting nothing and confessing without concealment. Those who do not hide their wrongs are visibly distressed by their actions and cast aside what they have embraced. A person who acknowledges their faults, even while sinful, begins to align with righteousness, as they are truthful about their state and affirm God’s equity, before whom they would not dream of withholding anything. Oh, if only Adam had chosen to accuse himself instead of hiding!”
The assurance of forgiveness is a pivotal step toward righteous living. One must pass through this door of mercy to enter into a life aligned with God’s will. Without this experience, individuals may find themselves engulfed by despair, quenching all life’s potential. For those who have received it, the heart expands, invigorating all energies. This outcome arises not just from moral transformation but also from the influx of gracious energies, which through genuine confession, open the heart to divine assistance. The confessor petitions, “I have sinned, I will not; Thou only help and do not forsake me.” With the comforting knowledge of God’s power assisting in the absolution of their sins, they joyfully proclaim: “Thou hast heard me also.” “Teach me Thy justification.”
Here, the door swings wide; the realm of new life opens, although it may present various paths. Each individual need not tread every path, but each must embark on their unique journey. What are those paths? They are exclusively known to Him, the architect of all salvation's routes. But who will illuminate these paths, if not He? Hence the plea: “teach me Thy justification”—not only to guide my steps and actions but to instruct me in the manner of walking and undertaking them properly. “It is insufficient to merely confess our sins,” remarks St. Ambrose; “We also desire to be set right, thus we implore God to teach us His justifications, ensuring we do not falter again.” The prophet requests divine instruction because He alone is our Teacher, as evidenced by His own words (Matthew 23:8).
Augustine adds: “I have confessed to You, Lord, my evil ways. You have granted me forgiveness; now teach me Your paths, enabling me not only to know but also to act as I ought.” Just as it is written of the Lord that He “knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21) in the sense of never engaging in it, so too should those who truly recognize the truth be honored for their actions. “Teach,” therefore, implies to direct. Just as children learn to walk by holding hands and taking steps, grace instructs the believer in the spiritual journey, guiding them with trustworthy, clear steps that lead to the ultimate destination.
The prerequisite is singular: self-awareness and dedication to the unseen guidance. What is promised is assured: “You will be taught by God” (John 6:45). All of God's chosen ones, whose vibrant lives we admire, were directly taught and led by His Spirit; thus, they walked straight paths, undeterred by distractions. It is remarkable that, when viewed from the outside, their journeys appear fraught with hardship, but they remained blissfully unaware of the challenges, moving forward with assurance and even joy. The vitality of life in Christ Jesus overshadowed any unpleasantness.
But why is such wisdom not granted to everyone? Why doesn’t everyone receive this kind of instruction and guidance? It may seem as though some are carried effortlessly by grace, while others feel abandoned. No, we are not forsaken; it is rather that we forsake. Cultivate a spirit of self-denial, setting aside concerns for self and prioritizing a commitment to God; entrust yourself wholly to His will and place yourself in His grace, and it will sustain you as it did the remarkable saints you revere.
However, you have, at times, received His hand, and although you began your journey held securely, when you felt you could navigate independently and chose your own path, you let go of that divine support. Consequently, you found yourself mired in thorns and mire, suffering wounds, and whom shall we blame? You labor tirelessly, yet to no avail. All stems from misplaced confidence, pride, and a false sense of strength in oneself, rather than in the Lord. Is this the way of the saints? Why should we be surprised when our outcomes differ?
God desires all to find salvation; however, not all want to be saved according to His will. Blessed Patriarch Anfim of Jerusalem encapsulates this thought: “He who yields to carnal desires and follows the path of lust indulges himself, but he who exercises restraint lives a life that guides them toward God. When one who has fallen and recognizes their sin exposes their wrongs before God, God, hearing their plea, forgives their past transgressions and guides them to righteousness, imparting His justifications.”
THEOSIS