We have been exploring the idolatry of immorality this week in this blog. Just as a review if you haven’t been with us. Our study in recent days has been of idolatry and the many forms it can take. We are all prone to idol making. Idolatry is discussed both in the Old and New Testaments. It has been a problem for mankind since the beginning of time. We are not above it nor have we conquered it. Instead our world today is full of folks who have created idols without possibly even realizing it. Consider just the recent names of Tiger Woods, Roman Polanski, John Edwards, Mark Sanford and many more. We have a problem and the problem is us. All of these men believed that their sins would remain private, that immorality would not interfere with their lives, and that they are above God’s commandments. So, did David.
There are today and there were in David’s life consequences for sin. Read once again 2 Samuel 12:14 (ESV) "Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD.”
What was the first consequence listed? David’s reputation, his testimony, his character was now known by all to blaspheme against the Lord. David sinned. He was the king, he was their leader. The world today still waits with baited breath for a Christian to fail. Media and talk shows love to share the most recent gossip for all to hear. How can we keep our reputations pure? What can we do to live holy lives set apart for His glory not ever His blaspheme?
Psalm 97:10(ESV)
O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Proverbs 8:13(ESV) The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Romans 12:9(ESV)
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1(ESV)
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Want to live a life that brings honor and glory to God? Love what He loves and hate what He hates. Cling to the good we see in His Word; flee from everything and anything else.
2 Samuel 12:14b shares the second consequence for David’s sin.
2 Samuel 12:14b(ESV)
“the child who is born to you shall die.”
Our sin affects so much more than just our own life. Often times God is blamed for the consequences of our own sin. Many times the bad that occurs in our lives is a direct result of the lifestyle we choose to live. God forgives yes, but, we still must face the result of our sin.
Psalm 51:3-4(ESV)
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
God is a just and holy God. He is blameless in His judgment. His Word is the final Word. His authority is above all other authority. When we sin against God we suffer consequences. Never forget that thought.
Revelation 4:8(ESV)
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
From the beginning of the measurement of time to the end of the ages, God is. May we truly never cease to praise Him, to surrender to Him, and to live holy lives to bring Him all honor and glory. Next time you may be tempted to walk down the path of immorality, stop at the first sign. Turn, flee, run the other direction. Consider the consequences before you have to face them head on.
Prayerfully,
Dennis
Posted on
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
by Dennis Newkirk