The Established Path of Discipleship

Sometimes, we sin, and as a result, God brings many consequences to our lives. We tend to think these consequences are punishment for our sins. We then reduce the Christian life to a simple formula: my sin gets God’s punishment, and my good behavior gets God’s reward. However, when Nathan confronts David over his sin in 2 Samuel 12, he does not use such simplistic mathematics.

God defines sin through the prophet Nathan in a piercing question, “Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight” (2 Sam. 12:9)? God repeats this explanation of sin in verse 10, “You have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” Sin is despising God and God’s word, and whenever we sin, we despise God. So, we must understand something about our sin: it is too weighty to put on any scale.

The consequences of David’s sin seem too much for anyone to bear. Because of his sin, warfare will permeate David’s kingdom, others will take David’s wives publicly, and the son born of his illicit union with Bathsheba will die. And before David can employ any punishment/reward schema of divine justice, Nathan says to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin” (2 Sam. 12:13). This divine pronouncement is God’s great mercy amid devastating circumstances. Perhaps you are reeling from a flood of consequences at this moment. Then you need to hear these words: “The LORD also has put away your sin.”

So, maybe it is somewhat healthy to consider the consequences of sin as a preventative measure. Considering the consequences, however, should not be the primary motivator of holiness. Instead, God’s mercy is the primary motivator of holiness. When I ponder the consequences of sin, I realize my understanding is limited. Many adverse events pepper my life. I cannot go through all the difficult times in my life and determine those that were consequences of sin and those that were not. I best leave that to the providence of God.

On the contrary, I must always look to God’s mercy. Consider David. When God afflicts the firstborn son of David and Bathsheba, David fasts and prays on behalf of the child (2 Sam. 16). Even amid this enormous consequence, David focuses on the mercy of God. The child dies seven days later, and to the confusion of his servants, David says, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live” (2 Sam. 12:22). David received God’s mercy (his graciousness) when Nathan told him that the Lord had put away his sin. Now, David demonstrates his belief in that mercy by interceding for his son. But more importantly, David reveals his trust in God’s mercy by worshipping the Lord (2 Sam. 12:20).

If you reduce your walk with God to reward/punishment or merely consider the consequences, you will eventually grow weary and bitter. Conversely, if you meditate on God’s mercy, he will transform you into a tender intercessor and worshipper.