A Changed Man

Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do it. And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.” So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at David. [2 Samuel 16.11-13] 

Something changed in David. And, it was not all a change for the better. He seems like a "gutted" man at this point. Let's explore this further...

David's words, My own son is trying to kill me...” had to have had a sting only he could have known. I am sure the words of Nathan the prophet haunted him:

“This is what the LORD says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” [2 Samuel 12.11-12]

David's premeditated murder of Uriah the Hittite as mitigation for his adultery with Bathsheba came with serious consequences. Yes, God forgave him, but events were set in motion that were unchecked by God's forgiveness. The death of the illegitimate child conceived with Bathsheba was only the beginning of troubles for David.

How does this translate into modern Christianity? ...Do we dare ask?

Should we not at least consider how much familial problems are actually the effect of widespread sexual sin in society today? David's story should very much cause us to do so!

Christians today are quick to ask forgiveness for awful sins expecting immediate relief for the consequences set in motion by that sin. Is this scripturally accurate? David's story says "No!"

It might be understood that Jesus came preaching two things: repentance and the Kingdom of God. However, in reality, Jesus preached one thing: repentance, BECAUSE the Kingdom of God was near.

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [Matthew 4.17]

It should be understood that repenting of sin IS turning to God Whose Kingdom He is the center of. Repentance is not "turning" as in continuous spinning and certainly not "turning" as in a single 360° turn right back to the sin! Repentance is a practice to be perfected. Otherwise, a person would repent and never ever sin again. David understood this as evidenced when, concerning Shimei, he said, “Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do it. And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”

David held out hope that, in his repentant state, God's mercy might indeed be found. The one thing that was better about David in his "changed" demeanor was his repentant attitude. He understood that repentance was a practice to be perfected, and, that he had not yet perfected it.

Many at this point will declare, "Yes, but Jesus paid it all!" However, they must still understand how Jesus' conversation with the woman caught in the act of adultery went after forgiving her and then asking her if her accusers remained to condemn her: “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8.11) Even after being forgiven by Jesus Christ Himself, the woman was then tasked by Him with sinning no more because where sin abounds, yes, grace much more abounds THROUGH Jesus Christ (Romans 5.20) - BUT, as it is through Jesus, it cannot be without repentance (Matthew 4.17)! Perfect repentance IS going in the exact opposite direction and sinning no more!

We would do well to continually consider the relationship between the words "faith and "repentance." David's repentant attitude was his faith. There was no longer any room in David for pride, but his faith and repentance worked together to position him for God's mercy. No one can ever say, "I deserve God's mercy." Instead, as David declared, all can say, “...perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.” More specifically, what a New Testament believer can furthermore say is, "Jesus earned God's mercy and as He dwells in me and I in Him (through repentance/faith), I can enjoy that mercy." Again, we must understand that repentance is a practice to be perfected, and, now it might be revealed, that the practice that perfects it is faith. Faith comes by the Word of God and faith is the only thing that pleases God. Faith is not all repentance, but repentance is all faith!

Moreso than at any time in history, no one today can say, "I am clean" before God. The muddled mess of sexual sins, cleverly cloaked idolatry, and general Godlessness keep all manner of curses activated all around us. No one can deny the pandemic proportion of these curses. But, what we can do is hold to God's Word building faith day by day - faith that is most purely exercised in repentance as we consider Jesus and the Cross He bore on our behalf. Knowing God's will (as we know His Word and His character), we, like David, can hold out for the mercy provided by God's grace through our humble and repentant attitude of faith in Jesus Christ. We can humbly profess the name of Jesus and realize undeserved (on our part) blessings from God (because of Jesus).

And yet... Jesus' call to all is not that of a beaten-down "sinner saved by grace." Jesus demands faith that moves mountains, heals the sick, feeds the multitudes and even raises the dead. While Charismatics shout, "Yes, Hallelujah!" it must be understood that all the power of faith is unleashed through humble repentance. I believe this explains why the proud and arrogant approach to faith seen today is met with only a random spattering of miracles.

The conclusion of all this is that Jesus Christ is the goal. Jesus was very specific that His followers should do what He did. Faith in Jesus cannot exist without repentance. Humility never demands answers but pleads for mercy knowing God's ultimate goal is always blessings.

Father, may we find ourselves so sold-out to Christ - so changed - that nothing but His manifestation in us is our goal. May we view every circumstance in which we find ourselves an opportunity for humble repentance and faith so that we might please You. So be it.