Divorced people are not fit for Christian work, especially leadership.
If you were promiscuous growing up, you can’t reprimand your children for fooling around.
If you don’t tithe, unexpected expenses will overtake you.
Statements like these show that we don’t understand God’s heart. God may hate sin, but He loves you. He loves you so much, He died to gain your forgiveness and freedom from sin’s consequences. This freedom includes avoidance of death and hell, but it also included so much more.
David relies on God’s mercy.
David understood this in response to one of his biggest mistakes. David decided to count the fighting men in his army (1 Chronicles 21). This was repulsive to God, because it showed a trust in numbers over God. Joshua did the same thing and suffered a great defeat (Joshua 7:2-5). Gideon wanted to do the same thing, but God just reduced his numbers (Judges 7:1-7).
After David had his fighting men counted, God sent Gad to him to give David three choice for the consequence for his sin: 3 years of famine, 3 months of defeats from your enemies, 3 days of the sword of the Lord. David’s answer shows his understanding of God’s compassion:
David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”
David stands in the gap between the people and punishment
God sent a plague on His people killing 70,000. He then sends and angel to destroy Jerusalem and David interceded for the people.
David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Lord, my God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.”
God relents and David builds an altar. This may not sound too encouraging, but there is more. It was at this spot that Solomon built the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). It was the temple where the people of God had priests offer sacrifices for them to find forgiveness of sins and their consequences.
Jesus offers ultimate intercession for our sins
David knew, trusted, and gained access to something that wasn’t yet fully available. Jesus would come later and would remove every consequence of sin. He defeated the grave and paid for our sins.
David’s story tells us:
- Sin has a real and devastating effect on our lives.
- God wants to relent on the repentant.
- He is looking for someone to stand in the gap.
Jesus perfectly stands in the gap for us (Isaiah 53:10-12).
Will we trust God to cancel every effect of our sin?
Thank you for sticking with me so long on this. Here is the takeaway.
A lady approached me recently for prayer who had tightness in her lungs. She tells me that God dramatically broke her from a smoking addiction a year ago, but felt this was related to the years of smoking. In essence she was saying, “I would like to be healed, but I know I brought this on myself.”
Are we honoring God by saying the ramifications of our decisions are too great an obstacle for His cross? Will we trust Jesus for heaven which we can’t see, but not trust Him for the other things He offers that we can see now?
Understanding what God has accomplished for us is important for the Christian life and how we can effectively serve others. If you want to grow in your confidence in this area, check out our book: Powerful Caregivers. It give you greater joy and freedom to all that you do.
Do we still need to suffer the consequences of our sin?
The consequences are no longer yours to own. To say that they are is to agree with the enemy. It keeps you in captivity. It becomes a barrier to the abundant life Jesus offers.
What about discipline? Do you think a loving father would want his children to suffer at the hands of the enemy just to teach them a lesson that they already repented of? God loves you too much to plug His ears to your cries for mercy.
Go to God for your freedom. It has been paid for – press in to access it. Don’t give up. Refuse to let go of the goodness of God for you. This is how you hold on to the promises of God that He rewards.
Hi, I struggled a little with the comment that there are no consequences as to our sin
Yes all of our sin is covered by the blood when we confess and repent of our sin
But there are consequences ,many a parent who has divorced their spouse for non Biblical reasons has had to deal with much brokenness in their children’s life
We do reap what we sow,if I keep on feeding my body on rubbish I will have to pay the price.There is a balance
God blesses the cheerful giver but if I withhold from God I miss out on a special blessing
Thank you for your messages,I always am encouraged by them,Shalom Mieke
Dear Maria,
I appreciate you taking the time to comment and add to this discussion. You are correct, we cannot continue to sin and expect nothing bad to happen. We also can’t intentionally go against God’s warning and expect to have the consequences removed later by thinking a god would understand.
Here is the difference I hope to communicate in this post: many people have legitimately repented and sought God for past sins, yet assume the consequences they are left with are the burden they will forever bear.
David didn’t know if God would relent from the consequences from David’s sin. However, he did trust in God’s unyielding love and abundant mercy which may just bring an end to the consequences. David did the same when he was under God’s rebuke for killing Uriah and stealing his wife Bathsheba. David fasted and prayed for mercy. The child still died.
If someone has gone through a divorce, they may face brokenness with their children. But we should never just accept that as the we it will always be. Never give up on God’s mercy and forgiveness. He will never stop wanting He best for us. I hope this adds clarity to what I was trying to get across. Thank you for asking.
Blessings,
Kevin
I struggle with this alot. I was praying about it this morning when I read the post. Now I can see that I need to refocus on God’s unchanging goodness, rather then an expectation of continued consequences. I can surrender the consequences to Christ’s cross, and choose His will now. Thank you for helping me to see the difference.
Elaine Logan
Elaine,
I am glad you came by and found this content helpful. It is encouraging to hear how God is leading you and loving you.
Blessings,
Kevin
Player coach my name is kumbukani Banda am still confused in this topic God is not looking to punish you other preachers say if you love God you must tithe and if you want God to bless you financially you must tithe if not don’t expect anything good from God. Player coach hearing this I tithe to fear lough of God. My question to you player coach is it bad not to tithe when I am financially brock? eg I have bills to pay, house rent to pay and paying debts but looking in my pocket I haven’t enough to pay all of this.
Thank you for your comment. This not an easy answer for you. There is a blessing in the tithe, but each one of most follow God first. In the Bible, the teachers of the law said was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath because there was to be no work on the Sabbath. There is a blessing on the Sabbath for those that participate in the rest. However, Jesus did heal on the Sabbath because doing good was the right thing to do.
There are times when not giving of your tithe is your obedience to God. You have to look to Him to find what the right thing to do is. God is looking for people who have faith in Him not just people who will follow certain rules.
Pray to God how to best take care of your commitments, especially if you have a family to consider. God loves you and wants to take care of you. Look to Him. He will be faithful to show you what is right.
Blessings,
Kevin
Thank you for sharing so encouragement
I too had issues of sin forgivenes