Wednesday Night Recap - 02/01/17

Last week at Wesley, Bob spoke on a topic that can often be tough to hear. Using the example of David and Bathsheba, we discussed the impact of sin on our lives and the quickness of God to forgive our sins. As we traced David’s decision to commit a sin that temporarily marred his conscience and relationship with God, we learned how to look out for the temptation to sin in our lives. David’s like teaches us to consider the following truths as we encounter sin:
 

1. None of us are above a fall. Even David, a man who loved God more than most people, was susceptible to sin.
   1. What do I need to do to keep myself far from the things that tempt me?
2. When we allow ourselves to be in a place that we shouldn’t, sin can creep in.
   1. Example - David was supposed to be off at war when he spotted Bathsheba, but he chose to stay back in his palace.
3. We must fight the voice of entitlement
   1. David’s adultery was deeper than lust… he was driven by the idea that he could have whatever he wanted.
4. Unconfessed sin is supposed to haunt us.
   1. That feeling is called conviction, and conviction is meant to propel us to repentance. Conviction is meant to bring freedom, not shame and guilt.
5. Honest repentance and confession ALWAYS move God to forgiveness.
   1. As soon as David confessed his sin to Nathan, God immediately forgave him.

 
The main idea of the message came down to this: if we come to God with a genuine heart of repentance for our sin, he is delighted to forget our sin and remove its stain from our lives. Note that I said delighted, not reluctant. God does not begrudgingly forgive our sin because we came to Him and said the right words. No, He cannot WAIT to remove our transgressions because they hinder the intimacy that he craves to have with us. Below are the verses of the Psalm that David wrote as he pondered that season of his life - these words are true, and I encourage you to let them shape you.
 
Blessed is the one
   whose transgressions are forgiven,
   whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
   whose sin the Lord does not count against them
   and in whose spirit is no deceit.
 
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
   and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
   my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
  the guilt of my sin