Encouragement

Lusting After The Flesh Part 3

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
11/06/15
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What can we learn from David's experience: 

Reading through the experiences of David and his sons, Absalom and Amnon, it teaches us of God's goodness. He is perfectly just and compassionate. He is Judge as well as Comforter. He is for all of mankind. He wants us to come home—repent/confess our sins and receive forgiveness. That is why John 3:16 summarises the entire gospel that we preach. In verse 17, we are told that God sent His Son into the world to be its Saviour and not its judge. The birth of Christ Jesus would not have taken place in order for us to now be celebrating Christmas if that verse was not fulfilled. 

Reading from 2 Samuel chapter 11 through to chapter 18 we see the justice and compassion of God working alongside each other. David, the King, was Absalom's father. He too murdered another man but God called him, "A man after My own heart." Why was that? 

Well, although Nathan (the prophet) had to confront him about his sin (committing adultery with Bathsheba then murdering her husband to cover it up) he was truly sorry for what he had done. That's the first part of the forgiveness/reconciliation process.

1. David confessed his sins (we see this process of repentance taking place in chapter 12 and in more details in Psalm 51). He then received God's forgiveness (as outlined in verses 13 and 14).


2. And although he still had to suffer the consequences (the loss of the child that was born from his adulterous act, military defeat, seeing trouble brought to him by someone from his own family, being estranged from one child, losing two others by sword and exile) he did move forward into the greatness that God had called him and he lived out the rest of his days serving God. He was repentant. He received forgiveness and the relationship between him and God was restored. That the true process of confession/forgiveness and reconciliation.

There is much to learn from David. There is greatness in all God's children. Depending on our parenting/belief(s) some of us may recognise it earlier than others. Some deny its true source and use it inappropriately.  Some will die never recognising it. David knew who he was and the source of his strength. He also knew what it felt like to make mistakes.  

What we learn from David is that leaders aren’t perfect beings—they do make mistakes. It is inevitable! However, humility is the key. When we make mistakes we must learn from them instead of living with regrets—crippled by the fear of repeating the same mistakes. If that mistake involves other human beings, we must seek theirs and God’s forgiveness then continue to lead with the authority God has given us.  

'Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever' (1 John 2:16).

Part 3/3
End of notes.