“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.’” 2 Samuel 12:13-14 NKJ
Often we think that sin only disrupts our relationship with the Lord and the people involved. We don’t usually think about the effect our sin has on “the enemies of the Lord.”
This thought is repeated elsewhere in the Bible. Paul addressed the Jews and said, “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:24, see also Ezekiel 36:22).
Our actions are more far-reaching than we realise. When we sin we give God’s enemies, whether these enemies are spiritual foes or physical people, the opportunity to despise God. Christians live in a “goldfish bowl” where people are watching to see if our faith makes any difference to our actions. People who have no respect for God will feel vindicated when they see one of God’s people fall into obvious sin. Others will question the value of being committed to God when they feel that they live a better moral life than those that call themselves Christians.
Despite his failings, David didn’t sit around bemoaning his lack of self-control or complain about the death of an innocent child. He admitted his sin, repented and received God’s forgiveness. After he realised the child was dead (verse 20), he accepted God’s decision and moved on with his life.
I guess the Lord must be used to having His name blasphemed among the unbelievers …. Sin happens every day among those who call themselves Christians … there’s a new adjective in the media in North America if you’ve been listening closely … I’ve heard it a couple of times now on TV … Crazy Christians …. :-S
Hypocrisy ?? or people pretending they’re perfect when there is no possible way for anyone to be …
Makes those that do these things seem a bit psycho to those who don’t understand the Christian church culture … which I don’t agree with.
I’m so glad that the Lord did not hide the weaknesses and failures of the man after His own heart, David, of the tribe of Judah … who the Lord chose to bless and call upright even with all his failures … even blessing his second son with Bathsheba with the crown and great wisdom which, incidentally, didn’t keep him perfect either. LOL
This wasn’t David’s first blooper that brought the Lord’s wrath against him and those he led …
David, understood firstly God’s love and mercy and accepted the consequences as just. He was a passionate defender of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
Amazingly, as God always is, because David was sincerely sorry for his sins … and acknowledged God … his seed was also blessed with the greatest blessing of all … the Lion of Judah who breaks every chain and brings to us the victory
again and again.
I guess the Lord must be used to having His name blasphemed among the unbelievers …. Sin happens every day among those who call themselves Christians … there’s a new adjective in the media in North America if you’ve been listening closely … I’ve heard it a couple of times now on TV … Crazy Christians …. :-S
Hypocrisy ?? or people pretending they’re perfect when there is no possible way for anyone to be …
Makes those that do these things seem a bit psycho to those who don’t understand the Christian church culture … which I don’t agree with.
I’m so glad that the Lord did not hide the weaknesses and failures of the man after His own heart, David, of the tribe of Judah … who the Lord chose to bless and call upright even with all his failures … even blessing his second son with Bathsheba with the crown and great wisdom which, incidentally, didn’t keep him perfect either. LOL
This wasn’t David’s first blooper that brought the Lord’s wrath against him and those he led …
David, understood firstly God’s love and mercy and accepted the consequences as just. He was a passionate defender of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
Amazingly, as God always is, because David was sincerely sorry for his sins … and acknowledged God … his seed was also blessed with the greatest blessing of all … the Lion of Judah who breaks every chain and brings to us the victory
again and again.
David’s understanding of the depth of God’s mercy is quite unparelleled in anyone else I know or read about. And as you say Wendy, he accepted the consequences of his sin as just.
David’s understanding of the depth of God’s mercy is quite unparelleled in anyone else I know or read about. And as you say Wendy, he accepted the consequences of his sin as just.