CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SIN

^{[All quotes are from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted.]}

^{I Kings 11:1-5} King Solomon was obsessed with women. Pharaoh’s daughter was only the first of the many foreign women he loved—Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite. He took them from the surrounding pagan nations of which God had clearly warned Israel, “You must not marry them; they’ll seduce you into infatuations with their gods.” Solomon fell in love with them anyway, refusing to give them up. He had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred concubines—a thousand women in all! And they did seduce him away from God. As Solomon grew older, his wives beguiled him with their alien gods and he became unfaithful—he didn’t stay true to his God as his father David had done. Solomon took up with Ashtoreth, the whore goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the horrible god of the Ammonites.

 

^6-8 Solomon openly defied God; he did not follow in his father David’s footsteps. He went on to build a sacred shrine to Chemosh, the horrible god of Moab, and to Molech, the horrible god of the Ammonites, on a hill just east of Jerusalem. He built similar shrines for all his foreign wives, who then polluted the countryside with the smoke and stench of their sacrifices.

 

^9-10 God was furious with Solomon for abandoning the God of Israel, the God who had twice appeared to him and had so clearly commanded him not to fool around with other gods. Solomon faithlessly disobeyed God’s orders.

 

^11-13 God said to Solomon, “Since this is the way it is with you, that you have no intention of keeping faith with me and doing what I have commanded, I’m going to rip the kingdom from you and hand it over to someone else. But out of respect for your father David I won’t do it in your lifetime. It’s your son who will pay—I’ll rip it right out of his grasp. Even then I won’t take it all; I’ll leave him one tribe in honor of my servant David and out of respect for my chosen city Jerusalem.”

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Clearly, Solomon disregarded God and chose the pleasures of sinful behavior instead. He put his love for women above his love for God! He willfully disobeyed and disregarded the God of his father, David!

AND THERE WERE CONSEQUENCES!  The nation of Israel would be divided as a direct result of Solomon’s sinful behavior! Yet, out of respect for David, God promised that Solomon’s heir would retain control over one of the twelve tribes. 

This was God’s declaration, and the following chapters give the details of these promised results. 

Let’s be clear: God is willing to forgive sin! He is not willing that any should perish! [II Peter 3:9]

However, we must often deal with the consequences of our sin!

This fact has been evident from the very beginning!

When Eve and Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, God cast them out of the Garden – never to be allowed to return!

Now we can assume that forgiveness was an option, although we have no record of them ever pursuing it. But it is clear that the consequences of their sin were real and had a dynamic impact on the rest of their lives!

^{Genesis 3:22} …God expelled them from the Garden of Eden and sent them to work the ground, the same dirt out of which they’d been made. He threw them out of the garden and stationed angel-cherubim and a revolving sword of fire east of it, guarding the path to the Tree-of-Life.

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There are plenty of other examples of Biblical characters who had to suffer the consequences of their sin.

§  Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of his anger with the Israelites.

§  Samson’s remarkable, God-enabled strength allowed him to do incredible things, but his love for foreign women was his downfall and eventually brought about his premature death.

§  The children of Israel were chronic rebels and God eventually allowed them to be captured and carried away by the Assyrians and the Babylonians.

§  Peter denied knowing Jesus three times in a short period of time on the night of Jesus’ trial. Although forgiven, imagine the reaction Peter had for the rest of his life when he heard a rooster crow!

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However, even though we may frequently suffer the consequences of our sin, God has promised us resources to assist us with the friction that these consequences create.

Consider Hebrews 4:14-16 [NASB]

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Never underestimate the power of God’s mercy and grace!

Jesus was tempted just as we are! He understands the power of our opposition! And He does not leave us without resources!

RECEIVING MERCY

The Hebrew word for mercy, chesed, signifies lovingkindness and covenant loyalty. God’s mercy is not earned; it is freely given out of His lovingkindness, even when people are unworthy or faithless.

RECEIVING GRACE

God’s grace is fundamentally His benevolence, love, and mercy extended to people who do not deserve it [that's us!]. It is not earned by human effort or good works but is a free gift from God, reflecting His loving character and generosity (Ephesians 2:8-9).

NOW – the above verse from Hebrews tells us that “…we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

As a result of this,…let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

SUMMARY

Even when we have sinned and are dealing with the consequences of our sin, we can still have hope because of the immeasurable goodness of a God who sympathizes with our weakness and – in spite of our sinful thoughts, words, actions – stands ready to offer us His lovingkindness [mercy] and patience [grace] to enable us to recover and restore His kingship in our lives! 

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Thanks be to God for His lovingkindness and faithfulness in rescuing us from the powerful influence of sin in our lives!

 

God sees us!

God understands our weakness!

God forgives us!

God restores us!

 

AND,

God offers us mercy and grace as we deal with the consequences of the dreadful impact of our sinfulness!

 

MAY GOD’S NAME BE FOREVER PRAISED!

AMEN!

ABUSING GRACE - GUILTY!

We used to call it backsliding. That term comforted us because it made it seem like it was something that happened outside of our will and decision. That was, of course, never the case! We just don’t like to take responsibility for our missteps! Such a kind word – missteps. It doesn’t sound bad at all. We’ were just walking along and suddenly – we misstepped!

It was an accident! We didn’t mean to do it! It just sort of happened.

But, in reality, it was an act of our will! We can use all the user-friendly language we want to make it sound innocuous – but it was sheer rebellion in most cases.

I knew what I was doing! Sometimes I even thought it through so thoroughly that I knew I was defying God, but – after all – I could always seek His forgiveness and kick in the I John 1:9 caveat! [Paraphrase: If I confess my sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.]

Voila! I’m clean again! Assured of Heaven!

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For those few of us who can admit that we’ve actually had thought processes like this, what a horrible presumption! How dare we try to 'play' God! Do we think He isn’t aware of this game? Do we think He isn’t all that concerned about our dalliance with sin? [Imagine God saying] “It’s ok, Hal. I see what you’re doing here and it really doesn’t bother Me that you’re playing frivolously with my grace!”

ARE YOU KIDDING?

God doesn’t like it when we play with His grace!

What a great time to reflect on the corruption and fickleness of the Old Testament children of Israel.

Their unfaithfulness and persistent rebellion is notorious!  Remember that God eventually had His own Temple destroyed by the Babylonians and watched as His people were carried away to Babylon – where they resided for the next seventy years!  All this took place after years of warnings from God’s prophets!

This is the whole story of the Old Testament: a rebellious people whose story ended without any authentic resolution! Their sinfulness triggered the end of the Old Covenant and revealed the need for a New Covenant!

But we think we can repeat the behavior of the Israelites and God will be okay with that!

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We know this! God loves and rewards FAITHFULNESS!

That’s why He was so pleased with Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Moses, David [despite his well-known flaws], Samuel, and a whole host of prophets – even including some kings of Judah!

God is looking for those who will be faithful – not those who manipulate His grace!

Why not just stop it? Stop what?

How about this sin – repent, sin – repent, sin – repent, sin – repent pattern that has dominated your adult life for far too long!

Lay a firm foundation!

Consecrate yourself to a commitment!

Change your patterns!

Resolve to be God’s man or woman!

Conquer sin instead of playing with it!

It likely begins with a prayer like the following:

Kind and gracious God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

I’ve abused Your grace!

I’ve done it over and over – beyond counting!

It’s become a pattern in my life!

I know this displeases You!

I’m sorry!

Genuinely sorry!

But today – You’ve gotten my attention!

I want to be done with this atrocious behavior.

I don’t want to plan to sin…

or deliberately abuse Your wonderful grace!

I want to be an example of faithfulness.

I want to please You!

I know that I’ll always need forgiveness.

All of us do!

But I want to stop these thought-through,

fully aware of what I am doing,

playful flirtations with SIN!

I’ve disappointed You!

I’ve hurt You!

I’ve tried to use You!

I can do better.

I want to do better.

I plan to do better,

Though Your grace and help!

May my life and light shine for You!

AMEN! 

PSALM 19 - DAVID'S REFLECTIVE MODE

Psalm 19 is a curious and noteworthy contribution to this body of poetry.  As is so often the case, David is the author of these potent words and thoughts.  

There is a fairly discernable outline to these somewhat disconnected thoughts:

• Verses 1-6 

We have these words seemingly as a result of David's reflective mind especially during his early years of watching his father's flocks.  Night after night and day after day, he spent time alone with his sheep observing the heavens and the movement and marvel of the heavenly bodies.  Needless to say, he was impressed!  Each observation seemed to move him toward greater wonder toward God!  

It makes you wonder how impoverished we are in the 21st century as we live out the majority of our days inside buildings and removed the the wonder of God's creation?

"The celestial realms announce God's glory; the skies testify of His hands' great work. Each day pours out more of their sayings; each night, more to hear and more to learn. Inaudible words are their manner of speech, and silence, their means to convey."  [vs.1-3]

[All quotes from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted]

•  Verses 7-10

We can only imagine that contemplating God's immensity and design for such a massive and intricate creation moves David to reflect on the order that God has provided humanity and the guidelines He has set for them to heed.

The poet in David leaps to the foreground as he marvels at the clarity of God's laws and guidance! With repetitious yet ever illustrative language, he grows in the reader's heart a desire to know God better and love Him more!

God's words, directions, commandments and decisions "are worth more than gold...They are sweeter to the tongue than honey or the drippings of the honeycomb."  [v.10]

• Verses 11-13

Having meditated on the beauty and immensity of God's creation, and having reflected on the clarity of God's desire for His children to live in accord with His guidelines, David suddenly becomes aware of his own sinfulness.

Out of a desire to be totally acceptable to God, David seems to be concerned about sins that may be hidden deep in his subconscious - sins that he is unaware of.

"Who could possibly know all that he has done wrong?  Forgive my hidden and unknown faults...protect me from my bent toward pride, and keep sin from ruling my life." [vs.12-13]

•  Verse 14

Finally, David ends his poem in a plea that has been memorized by many sympathetic followers of David's God.  

After all that has gone before, one senses the depth of meaning and imploring that characterizes these final words!

"May the words that come out of my mouth and the musings of my heart meet with Your gracious approval, O Eternal, my Rock, O Eternal, my Redeemer."  [v.14]

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I'm writing this in March while living in western Pennsylvania.  The earliest hints of spring are in the air.  It won't be long and we'll be moving outdoors to enjoy the beauty of our world and its many fascinations!  

I look forward to camping and sitting around the campfire.  I'll observe the skies and reflect on my life.  Deb will go to bed and I'll sit in the quiet and whisper to my Lord.  I can't wait!  How about you?

BECOME A GOOD REPENTER

I read those words in a book:  Secrets of the Secret Place, by Bob Sorge (recommended to me by Robin McFarren - thank you SO MUCH, Robin). 

Although I've lived immersed in the life of the church for most of my life, I must admit that I've seen very little repentance in the church.  It seems to be something done only at the point of an initial salvation experience. 

But think of it this way:  the closer you get to a holy God, the more you become aware of your imperfections!

If that statement is true (and I believe it is), then the growing believer will find him/herself repenting with ever-increasing frequency. 

Sorge writes: 

"I so very much long to please Him and to know His will, so my spirit diligently searches the recesses of my heart to see if there might be anything in me for which I need to repent."  He adds, "The only way to move forward in God is through repentance."

For those of us who have grown past the blatant, outward sins, we then begin to explore the deeper recesses of our fallen nature.  We move into the realm of thoughts, motives, feelings, responses and desires.  Sins in these areas are far more subtle.  It often takes silence, solitude, and the finger of God to point them out. 

I once heard an evangelist state that he hadn't sinned in seventeen years
...........................................................Liar, liar, pants on fire!

The crafters of the Westminster Confession believed that we sin in thought, word, and deed everyday.  I don't care to debate that here and now, but I do know this:  I am "...prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;  prone to leave the God I love."

I have a sinful nature and I have an enemy of my soul.  These two realities are turning me into A GOOD REPENTER!  How about you?

I'M A BOOK THIEF

As I sort through my books I have found several that belong to someone else!

Yikes! 

I never intended to steal their books!  They loaned the books to me.  They recommended them to me.  In a couple of cases I asked to borrow the book.  Then, they ended up on my bookshelf and blended in with my own books!

Stolen books, incognito on my shelves! 

My heart is clear - I didn't intend to steal them.  I feel guilt and sorrow over my inadvertant sin.

The implication is clear.  I must return the books!  I packaged one up yesterday and mailed it to its rightful owner.  Meanwhile, because the book had impacted me so powerfully, I got on Amazon and ordered my own copy!  :-)  I should have done that a long time ago!

Some will be handed back to the owner.  Others will be sent through the mail.  An apology will accompany each one.  I REALLY AM sorry to have kept their books so long! 

How many other sins lay hidden beneath the surface of my recognition?

Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me;  cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about;  see for Yourself whether I've done anything wrong - then guide me on the road to eternal life.
Psalm 139:23-24  (TM)

THE SORROW OF SIN

I just read the account (II Samuel 11-12) of David's sin with Bathsheba. 

In these chapters we see the Achille's heel of this good man.  Although David has wives of his own plus wives he inherited from Saul, he still wants Uriah's wife, Bathsheba.

Does this sound familiar?  Do you have desires that are difficult to restrain?  Are there areas where you want more and more - even when you know it would be wrong to have it?

My head is turned - in one way or another - every day!  I often cry to God out loud!  I tell Satan to get lost!  I know that if I fall, people will be hurt;  the consequences will be ugly and painful!

To cover his sin, David had Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, sent into the heat of battle where David knew he would be killed.  Uriah was one of David's "mighty men" - deeply dedicated and loyal to David!  Other soldiers were also killed in this dastardly plot to kill Uriah.  All because of David's out-of-control desire!

Bathsheba conceived.  The Lord caused the baby to be sick.  In spite of David's fasting and prayers, the baby died.  Bathsheba, in a very short period of time, lost her husband and her infant son!  All because of David's out-of-control desire!

God, through the prophet Nathan, announced that:

• murder would visit David's family,
• David's family would rise up against his kingdom, and
• David's son would commit adultery with David's wives.

All because of David's out-of-control desire!

What do we learn from David's story?

1. Our sin distances us from God!  After being intimate with Bathsheba, David's prayers were ineffective!
2. Our sin impacts the lives of others!  All those in our sphere of influence will be affected;  some very directly.
3. Our sin affects our legacy!  It is inevitable;  our sin and disobedience  impacts our children and our future!

APPLICATION
Even though David was a man with a great love for God, he sinned!

We are all vulnerable!  We must be vigilant regarding sin!  Our enemy will come against us when we are alone and when we are most vulnerable!  We must stay connected to other believers and we must stay strong!

SIN IN THE CHURCH

I think I know why many people avoid church.

Too often, church has become a place for people who pretend that life is merry and good.  Meanwhile, their lives are actually miserable, lonely, falling apart, chaotic, addicted, desperate, confused, etc., etc.

Now, I confess that I don't know and experience the church everywhere.  However, what I've seen has lost the concept of  confession. 

It's interesting that we don't want people to know our weaknesses.  This is a prideful culture!  At all costs, we want people to think things are going great - even when they're tumbling apart. 

It's akin to our daily greetings:  "How are you?"  "Oh, I'm fine, thanks."

"No!  If you really want to know, I'm hurting deeply and need a true friend!"

But that doesn't happen.

When did we begin to feel that we must 'have it all together' so that people will think well of us?

Sometimes, in the church I lead, I feel like I'm the only one who struggles!  I think people take some kind of vicarious satisfaction out of my public sharing.  But I rarely hear someone else admit to weakness, pain, or struggle.

Several years ago one of the men in our church sent me a letter including his confession.  He spoke of indulgence in alcohol, ignoring God's Word and other personal issues.  He welcomed me to share the letter with our congregation.  When I did, there was hardly a dry eye in the sanctuary!

My study of great revivals indicates that almost every major revival began with a confession of personal sin.  Hmmm...

Of all the authors I've read, Brennan Manning speaks most powerfully to this issue.  If you're unfamiliar with him, he's a former Catholic priest and recovering alcoholic.  Here's a sample:

     Any church that will not accept that it consists of sinful men and women, and exists for them, implicitly rejects the gospel of grace.  As Hans Kung says:  “It deserves neither God’s mercy nor men’s trust."  The church must constantly be aware that its faith is weak, its knowledge dim, its profession of faith halting, that there is not a single sin or failing which it has not in one way or another been guilty of.  And though it is true that the church must always dissociate itself from sin, it can never have any excuse for keeping any sinners at a distance.  If the church remains self-righteously aloof from failures, irreligious and immoral people, it cannot enter justified into God’s kingdom.  But if it is constantly aware of its guilt and sin, it can live in joyous awareness of forgiveness.

     …There is a myth flourishing in the church today that has caused incalculable harm – once converted, fully converted.  In other words, once I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, an irreversible, sinless future beckons.  Discipleship will be an untarnished success story;  life will be an unbroken upward spiral toward holiness.  Tell that to poor Peter who, after three times professing his love for Jesus on the beach and after receiving the fullness of the Spirit at Pentecost, was still jealous of Paul’s apostolic success (Galatians 2:11-21).    [The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning, pp.30-31]

PEANUT BUTTER CUPS!

Back in the summer, I set a goal of losing twenty pounds by the end of the 2011.  I started eating healthy in September and lost the twenty pounds in six weeks!

Recently, however, I've been slipping.  It started with some dessert at Thanksgiving.  Then, I bought some chocolate-covered pretzels - pretzels are healthy, right?  Saturday I bought a bag of peanut butter cups - peanut butter is good for you, right?

Surpize!  I've gained five pounds.

Switch gears.

Very few people simply walk away from God!  Notice the language we've adopted that describes the cooling of our relationship with Him:

• We back-slide! 
• We fall away.
• We drift from Him.

INSIGHT:

This process of becoming distant from God always begins with COMPROMISE!

I make little decisions that affect my relationship in small ways. 

When that little change doesn't make a huge difference, it seems to release me to make another small change;  and then another;  and then another.

Each compromise is gradually but persistently taking me further from God!  It takes awhile for me to realize that I've "drifted".  When I do realize it, it's difficult (nearly impossible) for me to track it back to that original decision of compromise (because it was so subtle).

Once I realize that I've drifted, I can do something about it!  I can create change in a positive way.  I can reinstate disciplines and cut away sinful practices.  I can quit eating peanut butter cups!

IS GOD SOFT ON SIN?

I read Psalm 99 this morning and came to the following verses:

Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called on His name;  they called upon the LORD and He answered them.  He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;  They kept His testimonies and the statute that He gave them.

Oh LORD our God, You answered them;  You were a forgiving God to them, and yet an avenger of their evil deeds.   (vs.6-8  NASB)

Avenge is a strong word!  It has connotation of retribution. 

Eugene Peterson translates that last line (in The Message):

But You were never soft on their sins.

Consider:

• Eve and Adam sinned and were removed from the Garden of Eden.
• Cain killed his brother and God cursed him.
• Moses sinned and was forbidden to enter the Promised Land.
• Joseph's eleven brothers sold him into slavery;  as a result they nearly died from starvation and had to humble themselves.
• Esau despised his birthrite and lost his inheritance to his younger brother.
• David sinned and reaped sexual immorality and rebellion among his children.
• Peter denied knowing Jesus and had to answer for it face-to-face.
• Paul had a pride problem that prevented him from being healed.

But, in spite of all this evidence, you probably won't suffer as a result of your sin.  NOT!

God is not soft on sin!  God is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!  God cannot abide the presence of sin!  God will not abide the presence of sin!

When we willfully sin, we banish the presence of God from our lives.  And we will deal with the consequences of our sin.

Will God forgive us?  Always!  (Read I John 1:9)

Will God take away the consequences of our sin?  NO. 

And the consequences of our sins can be VERY PAINFUL!!!  

 

CORRUPTION

Psalm 53:2-3 (NASB)
God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God.  Every one of them has turned aside;  together they have become corrupt;  there is no one who does good, not even one.

I read a story this morning about Billy Graham making some anti-Semitic  remarks to President Richard Nixon many years ago.  These remarks were picked up in a recording and reported.  Dr. David McKenna writes:  "One can envision Billy Graham, the North Carolina farm boy, being seduced by the power of the Oval Office and for a moment losing the prophetic voice that would have dared to refute the president of the United States."

However, Graham immediately admitted he was wrong, repented of his words, and asked forgiveness.  In addition, he disciplined himself by limiting the subject of any presidential audience to prayer and spiritual counsel.  A wise decision!

How do you handle the sin that creeps into your life?  We are all sinners.  God struggles to find one of us who is living life His way! 

The real issue seems to be how we handle indiscretions.  Are we quick to repent?  Do we apologize to God and others?  Do we set guards to keep it from happening again? 

These are the actions that lead us to long-term holiness!  That's what I'm seeking - how about you?

Bible Study 2

You might want to pass on reading this;  it's probably going to stir you up.

I'm presently reading through Psalms and Proverbs.  For some reason, two verses seemed to stand out to me today:

Psalm 11:5
The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.

Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who diligently seek me will find me.

This connected to something I read recently in the book, Radical, by David Platt:
...God is a loving Father, but he is also a wrathful Judge.  In his wrath he hates sin.  Habakkuk prayed to God, "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;  you cannot tolerate wrong."  And in some sense, God also hates sinners.  You might ask, "What happened to 'God hates the sin and loves the sinner'?"  Well, the Bible happened to it.  One psalmist said to God, "The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;  you hate all who do wrong."  Fourteen times in the first fifty psalms we see similar descriptions of God's hatred toward sinners, his wrath toward liars, and so on.  In the chapter in the gospel of John where we find one of the most famous verses concerning God's love (3:16), we also find one of the most neglected verses concerning God's wrath (3:36).

Most of us have a hard time considering a God who hates.  We've been taught that "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world...".  This is most certainly true!

However, God is also a holy God who cannot tolerate the presence of evil!  Consequently, He hates the evil-doer because of the evil that the person does!  The instant that person turns to God in repentance, however, God's love kicks in with forgiveness and restoration.

One step further:  When a believer slips into sinful actions, thoughts, or attitudes, we also begin a process that could lead to alienation from God.  His Spirit convicts us of this sin so that we can change our actions, thoughts, or attitudes - and once again become pleasing to Him!

Hebrews 12:6 (TM)
It's the child He loves that He disciplines;  the child He embraces, He also corrects.

Comments welcome...