Tag Archives: Sin and consequence

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Divine Grace for Humble Submission

ThanksLiving: 365 Days of Gratitude

Repentance is the divine path to restoration when our fellowship has been broken with the Almighty, and humble submission to the wisdom of God’s judgment is the human spigot that opens the flow of divine grace. Yes, “the wages of sin is death,” but when we yield our sin-prone lives to God through true repentance and humble submission, “the gift of God is eternal life,” some of which leaks from the eternal into the here and now.

Going Deep // Focus: 2 Samuel 15:25-26

Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the LORD’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”

The seeds of sin that King David planted through his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband to cover up the pregnancy that had resulted from the affair were now being harvested in the rebellion of the king’s son, Absalom. God had completely forgiven David (2 Samuel 12:13), but his sin had set into motion a series of tragic consequences, which Nathan the prophet had predicted (2 Samuel 12:14), that would devastate the humbled king both personally and publically.

The low point of David’s kingship must have been conspiracy, coup and the resultant death of this favorite son, Absalom. The events of this dark season were beyond tragic for David and Israel, and so unnecessary—as is always the case with sin. Certainly the Apostle Paul’s assessment of sin was spot on: “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23a) One sin set in motion a chain reaction of death, and as a result, the stench of death was in the air over all Israel—both literally and figuratively.

In spite of his self-inflicted disaster, however, the king found a way to reach into the reservoir of grace and wisdom that God makes available to every repentant believer. David humbly submitted himself to the merciful hand of God as he journeyed through this sin-harvest season. And as he did, this broken man found just what he needed: even more of God’s great grace.

What is it that releases God’s great grace at times when grace is the last thing we deserve? It is that which always moves the heart and hand of God: true humility and complete submission to God’s sovereignty. David truly meant what he said—“ I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”

Now that is an incredibly mature response to a self-induced disaster. Unlike some people who whine, blame and pout, David demonstrated confidence in the judgment of God, he focused on God’s presence in the moment , he left restoration—if there was to be any—to a later time, and he submitted himself completely to the will of God, no matter what the divine plan would bring about. Such humility of heart and submission to the Sovereign’s will are the very reasons the Lord himself proclaimed David to be “a man after God’s own heart” despite the many mistakes he made throughout his lifetime.

It is that very posture, when it comes from an authentic heart, that allows the second half of Romans 6:23 rather than the first half to become the defining reality of our lives: “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” For sure, we have been promised life in the age to come, but when we yield our sin-prone lives to God through true repentance and humble submission, some of that divine life leaks to us from the eternal into the here and now.

Going Deeper With God: Repentance is the divine path to restoration when our fellowship has been broken with the Almighty, and humble submission to the wisdom of God’s judgment is the human spigot that opens the flow of divine grace. Today, humble yourself before the mighty hand of God and he just may lift you up by his grace!

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Such Wondrous Love

Essential 100—Read:
Genesis 3

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” ~Genesis 3:15

Genesis 3 has to be the saddest chapter in the entire Bible. Adam and Eve lived in the most amazing environment—the Garden of Eden; had everything human beings could hope for—peace, security, provision, fruitfulness, and purpose; experienced unfettered spiritual intimacy—they literally walked and talked personally with God; they were created to live eternally—they were untainted by sin, suffering, sickness and death.

But they threw it all away for the temporary pleasure of sin.  And the human race has suffered the terrible consequence ever since—the increasing breakdown of the environment, the insatiable hunger for satisfaction, separation from God and death.

Yet this also has to be the most beautiful chapter in the entire Bible, because here in Genesis 3:15 we find the first promise in Scripture of a Redeemer, a Messiah who will come and save man from his sin. Although Adam and Eve have traded their trust in God for self-rulership—a heartbreaking rejection of the Creator’s offer of unfettered relationship, endless provision and full partnership with him in ruling over his creation—he lovingly and graciously offers them a way back to restored fellowship and eternal life through this promise of a Redeemer: The woman’s offspring, who will crush Satan’s head (Genesis 3:15 is the first of many prophetic references to Jesus in the Old Testament).

When I think of how deliberate our rejection, how complete our rebellion, how despicable our sin in Adam, yet how gracious and how merciful our God is in response, I am reminded of the chorus of an old hymn we used to sing in the church where I grew up, Such Love, Such Wondrous Love:

Such love, such wondrous love,
Such love, such wondrous love,
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this!

As Jean Vanier beautifully wrote, “Love is an act of endless forgiveness.” Yes, such forgiving, redeeming love; such wondrous love!

And that just about says it all, doesn’t it?

Reflect and Apply:  Genesis 3 tells the story of how Adam and Eve voluntarily entered into sin, and how Satan craftily lured them into it by his deceptive promises.  That is the way it always is with sin: It promises what it can’t deliver, then delivers consequences that rob us from God’s promise of soul satisfying provision.  Consider how sin may be tempting you away from God’s provision with deceptive promises—then make a decision to reject sin and run to God.