Be in the Know about Spiritual CPR

"Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just then You speak, And blameless when You judge." Psalm 51:1-4 NKJV

In a story published by channel 8 News in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Tuesday, it was reported that “Thanks to fellow racers and first responders, a Michigan runner is alive after falling into cardiac arrest during a race. The Genesis County Sheriff’s Office says a man named Paul from Grand Blanc went into cardiac arrest on Saturday during the eighth mile of the 10-mile run at the Crim Festival of Races in Flint. Almost immediately after going down, other runners started CPR on Paul. Paramedics staged at the race took over and he was rushed to a nearby hospital to be stabilized. “We couldn’t have done it without the other race participants, the health care providers on the course, that provided very quick bystander CPR and were able to start that continuing care that got Paul all the way to Hurley Medical Center,” Sgt. Sean Clayton said in a social media video. The GCSO also shared video of a deputy presenting Paul with his race medal, informing him that they picked up where he left off and finished the race for him. Both Clayton and emergency physician Dr. Ryan Reece at Hurley Medical Center shared the story to emphasize the importance of knowing CPR. “You could be the difference in somebody’s life,” Reece said. “You can save a life today by doing that.’” Wow right? As this story shows, a cardiac emergency can occur at any time, to any person, and without any warning. Hence the reason everyone should be ‘in the know’ about the importance of CPR and be willing to act.

And, you know, the same can be said in our spiritual lives. When we encounter someone experiencing the kind of spiritual heart trouble (sin) that leads to sudden cardiac arrest (unrepentant sin) without intervention, we must be in the know about the need for CPR and be willing to act quickly to save someone from spiritual death. 

The prophet Samuel understood the consequences of unrepentant sin and so gave us the example to follow in 2 Samuel 12 when he confronted King David about his transgression with Bathsheba, and the subsequent murder of her husband that David ordered to cover up the affair. Because of Samuel’s boldness, courage, and love for David, David was alerted to the state of his heart and chose to self-administer spiritual CPR before he faced cardiac arrest and potential spiritual death.

 
And this self-administered CPR that we see in Psalm 51 began with David’s plea for mercy followed by his Confession “For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me..." The next step was to Posture himself appropriately before the Lord saying, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight.” David lowered himself to a position of deep humility and made no excuses for what he had done, bowing as a king before the King of kings. 

“Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.” Psalm 51:11-14

And the last step in this self-administered process of spiritual CPR? Repentance. David turned from his sinful ways and turned back to God. This act of total surrender and penitence completely softened his heart, thereby reviving his once numbed conscience to the point where it was again tender, sensitive, and deeply convicted. So much so that he then pleaded with the Lord to deliver him from the guilt of bloodshed that he now felt, guilt that deeply plagued his soul, despite being forgiven for his sin. 

 

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

 
As you can see then, David’s self-administered CPR not only restored his relationship with the Lord (keep in mind that it didn’t free David from the consequences of his sin) but left him with a broken and contrite heart that could once again address God as “The God of my salvation.” Can you just imagine the joy that was restored to David after being thoroughly washed from his iniquities and cleansed from his sin? Spiritual CPR brought his heart back to life! 

So, if you see a friend in danger of going into cardiac arrest, speak up my friend. Urge them to Confess their sins before the Lord, assume a Position of humility and contrition, and then Repent of their ways. Doing so might be uncomfortable but it will save them from spiritual death. And, believe me when I say this... the person that repents will thank you later!

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we must be bold when we see a brother or sister persisting in unrepentant sin. Help us to love others so much that we would risk our friendships at the expense of leading them down the road to repentance by following the example of Samuel and pointing out their need for self-administered CPR. Lord, help us to be obedient when you call us to speak up knowing that we just might save someone's life by doing so. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!