Forgiveness and Consequences

In the Adult Sunday School class, we’ve been going through the Story of Scripture. We were talking yesterday about David’s later life and Solomon’s reign. While David’s early life was marked with courage and obedience to God, David’s later life was affected by his adultery with Bathsheba, and then his further attempt to cover over his sin by murdering her husband, Uriah. After the prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-14), we hear some of his response in Psalm 51.

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:1-2, NIV)

God is faithful to forgive our sin—that’s good news—but we need to understand that there will often continue to be consequences for our sin. The quicker we repent and correct our path, the better chance there is of lessening those consequences, but we can’t just ignore the mess of things our sin often causes. We experience broken relationships, guilt and shame, and other brokenness as well. This is an important lesson for us to keep in mind, I think.

The pancake and sausage fund-raising breakfast for GLAPS was a huge success! The team did a fantastic job of serving everyone even though there as a record turn-out! A big thank you and a well-done to all who volunteered their time. There is a summary of the results elsewhere in the E-Gram.

Don’t forget that this coming Sunday evening 6:30pm there will be a family night at the NDMC building. There will be some simple crafts to make and some snack items to make all in support of the Mennonite Relief Sale. Make plans to come out, and make sure to bring a few friends along. Everyone is invited!

There are some opportunities to volunteer with the Relief Sale—both in the Dutch Market and in other parts of the food, like the pancake breakfast as well. There’s information about this on the table in the Fellowship Hall.

God bless, Brian

Scripture readings for next Sunday Mark 12:1-17—What indications are there that the opposition to Jesus is intensifying? Mark 12:18-44—What different groups does Jesus respond to in these verses? Isaiah 27:1-6—What does the vineyard represent here?

1 Peter 4:12-19—What are some ways that we share in Christ’s suffering?