Last week, we looked at how David’s “small” sin of lust led him to commit murder. This week, the story continues with Nathan the Prophet’s confrontation of David. From Nathan, we learn two lessons. 1) that God desires to forgive those who are genuinely repentant. And 2) that even forgiven sins have consequences. The consequences of sin aren’t about God getting even. They’re about God taking our freedom to choose seriously. Consequences are the things that happen as a result of our sinful choices. Sometimes they affect the sinner. At other times, they fall more on the victim. These injustices remind us that the world isn’t working the way it’s supposed to.

Questions for Reflection

1. What sorts of natural consequences do you see at work in the world around us?
2. How do you feel when you see the brokenness of sin in the world? How does it motivate you?
3. Do you think God punishes us for sin, or does he merely allow us to experience the consequences of our sin?
4. How should Christians respond to people suffering from the consequences of sin? ought we to say, “You’ve made your bed, now lie in it.” or, ought we to show compassion? Some middle ground?

Other Sermons in this Series

1. The Anointing
2. David and Goliath
3. David on the Run
4. Dancing Before the Lord
5. David & Bathsheba: The Seduction of Sin