Repentance and Consequences

Today’s Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

Topic: Forgiveness

SCRIPTURE:  2 Samuel 12:13-14

¹³ Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. ¹⁴ But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.” (2 Sam 12:13-14 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

Most everyone is familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba and how David fell into sin big time. Bathsheba, another man’s wife, had become pregnant with David’s child. David tried to cover up his sin but ended up compounding it by conspiring to place Bathsheba’s husband at the fore of a battle in which he would surely die. Then David took the expecting Bathsheba as his wife. This passage comes in the aftermath the whole sordid affair. David’s sin has been forgiven by God because he repented and asked for God’s forgiveness (see Psalm 51).

Lesson 1 from this passage is that to be forgiven and receive life (avoid eternal death and damnation – “you are not going to die” v. 13), one must acknowledge their sin, repent of their sin, and ask God’s forgiveness of their sin. Those who fall into the trap of self-justification and will not admit nor recognize their own sin will truly be lost indeed.

Lesson 2 is that sin has consequences and, even when one has received forgiveness and the gift of eternal life, the result of that sin may linger in this earthly life for years to come; its effects may be felt and suffered by others also.

APPLICATION:                                        

All have sinned and fallen short of God’s perfection (Ro 3:23); therefore each individual person must humbly confess and repent of his or her sin. Then, we each must trust in the Lord for help in dealing with the residual consequences of our forgiven sin.

PRAYER:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. And grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. (From Psalm 51).

In Jesus’ name. Amen.  –AP