Impact of Sin

Good Morning!

Psalm 51:1-6 (English Standard Version)
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 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.
5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

For those of you who participate in the daily Bible reading, this is one of the selections for today. You will note that David wrote this right after Nathan pointed his bony finger at him and declared that he was the man who had committed the sin. And you might also note that David was not exactly right when he said “against you, you only, have I sinned...”. The fact of the matter is that David’s sin involved a number of people – Uriah, who was murdered at David’s direction; Bathsheba who David impregnated; the child who was condemned as a result of David’s sin.

The facts are that when we sin, the impact of the sin is not only against God but against many people. A person who is unfaithful in marriage doesn’t just hurt the spouse – but also the person with whom the adultery is committed and their spouse, if any; any children involved. The hurt just keeps going. The same can be said for many other sins of commission – other people are going to get hurt. And so, when Paul tells us to walk circumspectly, we need to pay attention – because the damage can be extensive.

Of course, I know this bunch of readers don’t have any problem – or maybe we do. If we do, there is forgiveness available. If you read the rest of Psalm 51, you will see David’s plea to have a new heart created in him. We have that new heart – we received it when Jesus became our Lord and Savior.

It is a good day for asking God’s guidance and forgiveness. I’m sure He’s listening!

Agape’



Mr. Jim