When Christians Fail... (2 Samuel 12)

A familiar face joined us for the opening meeting of 2016. Danny Roberts, formerly a regular attender of the meetings, began with a personal example of the challenges he experienced as a young Christian growing up in Liverpool. Danny, under pressure to be popular, conformed to the ways of his unsaved friends and found himself regularly involved in sinful activities. Looking back, Danny asked the question: what sort of Christian example was he to his Christian friends - what sort of example was he to anyone?

Often, when sitting in church services, it is easy to presume that those speaking to us from the pulpit have everything 'sorted' in their lives. We build them up as 'perfect' Christians, with a standard that we can never attain to. The reality, however, is that we all sin, falling short of God's standard on a daily basis.

It is on occasions when we look at others around us that we often forget this fact. Hearing of sins, among the people of God, that we regard to be severe, we are very quick to judge, deciding that these individuals should immediately be removed from all service for the Lord, and will question their position before God. In doing this again forget that we all sin.

Scripture is not quiet on this subject. Take, for example, King David. Described elsewhere as being a man after God's own heart, David lusted after a married woman, slept with her, then successfully arranged to have her husband killed. In 2 Samuel chapter 12, Nathan the prophet is sent to the King with a story about a rich man who took from a poor man all that he had. When David was angered about the tale, Nathan pointed out that this was, in effect, what David had just done by stealing the wife, and subsequently the life, of Uriah the Hittite. David was immediately repentant and turned to the Lord in sorrow for his sin. 

Was it enough? Would God forgive the sin of David and allow him to continue in the role that was given to him? While it is important to note that David's sin was not without significant and lengthy consequences, the Lord did forgive him. Would we have been so prepared to accept the remorse of a similar brother in Christ, who had committed such heinous actions while serving in the church? God does not think like we do. God knew the heart of David, and understood the sorrow he felt for his actions. While the forgiveness of the Lord did not justify what he did, God's ability to use David was not inhibited by David's inability to do right. His ways are not our way. While we choose to remember those things done against us, God very deliberately choose not to. That is the very special mercy of God shown to His children, those who have been washed in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25

Each of us have sins in our past that others would find appalling. We all have a history that would justify being used of God, yet He chooses to use us, because He knows our heart. God knows when we have a genuine love for Him, when, despite our constant sin, we strive to be holy and to be pure. We are in a battle: a battle between the flesh and spirit. It is a battle that we often lose, yet we must remember that we are ultimately on the winning side. Christ has already secured the victory so that, one day in Heaven, we will be free from all effects and influences of sin.

Until then, it is vital that we surround ourselves with the right people. As Believers, we have a need for fellowship with other Christians who will love us, guide us and occasionally push us back onto the right path. That is the purpose of meeting together as a church. Not for gossip, or for entertainment, but to build one another up in the faith, reminding ourselves and each other that God has mercifully forgiven us and, despite our imperfections, He wants us to walk with Him in all that we do.

Do not limit what God can do. He has used, and continues to use the liars, thieves, blasphemers, slothful and complainers for His glory. Individuals that He has redeemed by the blood of Christ, who fail Him every day. If God can use them, He can use you. You may have fallen away from the things of God, maybe even fallen further than you ever thought possible, but don't forget King David. He turned to the Lord, he acknowledged his sin and God promised to remember his sin no more. No matter how far you fall, it's not over with God.

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 2 Samuel 12:13

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isaiah 55:8