Psalm 4

Some see Psalm 3 as a morning hymn (3:5, he has slept in peace) and Psalm 4 an evening hymn (4:8, he is about to sleep).  But the Psalms are also comparable in the words of David’s antagonists.  In 3:2 they say there is no help for him in God; in 4:6 they ask, ‘Who will show us good?’  A third connection between the two Psalms is that in 3:3 the LORD is “my glory”; in 4:2 he asks how long the sons of men will shame “my glory”.  Thus in one David assures himself and his enemies that God is his glory; God will honor David so as to honor Himself.  In the other David chides his enemies for continuing to shame the LORD, David’s glory, by their verbal arrows.  It is possible that the story of Absalom’s rebellion is the setting not only for Ps. 3 (see the heading) but also for Ps. 4.

David has 3 conversations in this Psalm.

I. A cry to God for mercy, v1.

II. A call to the sons of men to seek the LORD, v2-5.

III. A consultation with God for serenity, v6-8.

Verse-by-verse consider some thoughts.

·        v1: David prays to the “God of my righteousness.”  By this he means the same as when he refers to the “God of my salvation.”  God provides for and is the source of David’s righteousness.  David understood the idea of “imputation” (Psalm 31:1-2).  Certainly the godly in Israel understood from the story of Abraham that righteousness came from God (Gen. 15:6).  In the end God’s provision of righteousness would involve the Messiah, the “Branch” of David, who would be called “the LORD our righteousness” (Jer. 23:6; 33:11).  New Testament believers understand this, that Christ has become to us righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30).  “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).

·        v2: Here is a “how long” cry of the Psalmist that is not directed at God but at the sons of men.  They shame God continually.  How do they (we) do this?  By our love of things that are worthless and the seeking of the lie!  Believers are to set their affection on Christ who is above (Col. 3:1-4), on eternal things that bring glory to God (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

·        v3: Here the Psalmist communes with his own soul as he speaks to those around him.  The words of assurance that the Lord will hear those He has set apart will calm David’s heart; but they also should encourage the sons of men to hear and respond properly to David’s next words.

·        v4-5: The writer exhorts the sons of men to come wholeheartedly to the LORD.   By wholehearted he means that they should first respect the LORD in a way that is fitting for who He is.  The term “angry” can be translated tremble or agitated.  The exhortation is to fear God.  Failure to understand the depth of our sin prevents us from genuinely putting our trust in the LORD, which is the second aspect to wholehearted seeking of God.  If we have not meditated on the matter of our guilt before the Creator we will likely harbor some thought that we have something of value in ourselves.  We may think we only need to trust God for the things we cannot do ourselves.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The Bible’s description is of a humanity that is desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9), with none that do good or that seek God (Rom. 3:10-18).  With a proper understanding of sin we will then realize why coming to God in faith involves a sacrifice.  Before Christ the offering of sacrifices were a means by which people could express their faith in God and in the future provision of the Savior from sin.  Since Christ has paid in full the guilt-price of His life for ours, we now offer “sacrifices of righteousness” as a thanksgiving for what He has done!  In other words, it is still an expression of faith in Jesus Christ as the only pardon for sin.

·        v6-8:  David’s conference with God is an expression of faith in several ways.  First, in response to the desperation suggested by those around him (who will show us any good?  how can there ever be sense made out of this hard life?) David prays for what is promised in the Aaronic blessing (Num. 6:24-26).  “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”  These are words God told the priests to use to bless Israel.  So David prayed for what God said He would do, in contradiction to those around who said no one could do what they needed!  Then David thanked God for the fact that He had already bless him with gladness of heart.  Thus David would be able to lie down in security; his trust was in the Lord. 

This is a great “evening prayer”, the kind of pillow talk that will make us fit to serve God in the coming day.  First, don’t go to bed with the discouragement of unbelief often expressed by those around us.  Instead think God’s word, God’s promises, and pray them back to Him.  Then give God thanks for the blessing of the day.  Don’t give in to the practice of glorifying our problems; consciously acknowledge God’s goodness in the day.  Then as your head hits the pillow, recognize that night is not to be feared; the LORD will enable you to dwell in safety.

2 Cor. 8:16-24

Thus far the Lord has elevated giving to the highest possible level.  What we might call “grace giving” is not possible if we don’t give ourselves first (v5).  It is a means by which we reflect Christ (v9).  It enables us to worship God for his care for us (vs.8-15), even as He cared for the Israelites all those years in the desert (v15).  Today’s passage tells us that “grace giving” is a great method of encouraging others.  But in the process the apostle also tells us much about the need for propriety in the way money is handled by the body of Christ.  To follow Paul’s example would save God’s people much shaming of the name of Christ over the centuries.

Paul was administering this offering for the care of the saints in Jerusalem (v21).  But since he did not go to Corinth he speaks of the men who were involved in his place, and emphasizes their trustworthiness.

o   Titus had gone to Corinth, not only at the request of Paul, but because of his own desire.  He could be said to have the same care for the Corinthians as did the Lord.

o   Also there was an unnamed brother who accompanied Titus.  Some have suggested it may have been Luke or perhaps someone from Macedonia where Paul was at the time.  What we do know is that …

Þ   He had a love for the gospel and for the lost.

Þ   He was revered in all the churches.

Þ   He was involved for the glory of the Lord.

Þ   He would provide accountability both to God and men.

o   Then there was another unnamed brother who was experienced in ministry and who himself was encouraged by the positive things Paul had said about the Corinthian church. 

Of these men Paul adds that Titus is his personal representative while the others represent the churches that are involved in this ministry of giving (v23).

Undoubtedly Paul explained all this in response to questions that were brought to him from the Corinthians.  Perhaps they were concerned that their gift would really get to the Jerusalem church for whom it was intended.  Notice that Paul did not act offended at this but made it a point to assure them.  In fact we should all have the same concern about the way money is handled by churches or ministries we support.  It is good stewardship for us to have some confidence that money is handled properly.  And it helps maintain the good name of our Lord Jesus Christ for whose work the money is being given.

Having explained this the apostle again encourages the Corinthians to follow through on their giving.  Having their questions answered they should now follow through in order to demonstrate the sincerity of their love.  There is no excuse.  Let us ask for propriety in handling the Lord’s money.  Then let us be involved in those ministries that are faithful and accountable.

2 Cor. 8:8-15

Often the world has a poor view of the visible church based on issues of money.  Some of the world’s views are well-founded as some ministries seem to be all about money and very little else.  People are offered bribes, or should we say inducements, such as a book or DVD to encourage their giving to the ministry.  It’s as if the ministry itself isn’t of sufficient quality to warrant support and people must gain something else in order to be involved.

Note that in this passage Paul stresses 2 reasons why the Corinthian church should be involved in this offering.  First was the matter of their integrity.  They had said they would be willing to give.  It even sounded like they had taken a lead in this project.  Now they were reneging on their declared intention.  Maybe the economy had gotten a bit tight.  Perhaps they had only given their word out of a fleshly desire for honor or attention.  Paul knew the importance of keeping one’s word.  Even as they had questioned Paul’s intentions (wrongly) so now he encouraged them to follow through on their own intentions.  Note that he makes it clear: it is not the amount that they give but the keeping of their word.

Secondly Paul is concerned about the love issue.  As we noted earlier, the command to love one another was given by Christ and was the best evidence of one’s faith in Christ (John 13:34-35).  Therefore Paul does not command them as to what they should do (v8).  But he does question the sincerity of their love.  Paul explained his reasoning in Romans 15:26-28.  The Macedonian (Philippi, Thessalonica) and Achaean churches (Corinth) were indebted to the saints at Jerusalem.  The gospel first went out from Jerusalem in the face of much persecution.  But in the process it had come to Macedonia and Achaia.  So it was an obvious response of love for those believers to come to the aid of the church at Jerusalem in their time of material need.  In this way there was equality, as Paul says in 2 Cor. 8:13-15.  Each church willingly shared their abundance, whether spiritual or material.

In our world we make a big deal about telling others we love them.  There is certainly some value in that.  But it is an insincere, empty love that says “I love you” but which does not act lovingly (James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-18).  Is your love sincere?  There isn’t a much better situation in life to evaluate our love than in our giving!  Let us recognize how critical this is for believers.  Paul is asking for nothing more or less then Christ-likeness.  God’s love for the world and Christ’s love for the sinner prompted our Lord to leave the glories of heaven and come to earth to give Himself for us.  In this way He became poor that we might become rich.  Scripture certainly tells us that God loves us, though the words “I love you” are rare.  What the Bible does do is tell us of God’s love by telling us what He has done.  By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.  And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16). That is sincere love!

2 Cor. 8:1-7

In chapters 8-9 we see that there were apparently questions having to do with an offering that was being collected among the churches for the church in Jerusalem.  The Corinthian church had said they would gladly be involved but then were dragging their feet.  Thus Paul takes time to answer their concerns.  In the process we are given 2 great chapters that teach us about Biblical giving.

The teaching on giving begins with a testimony concerning churches in Macedonia that were “doing it right”.  If you remember that there are 3 marks of maturity Christ looks for in a church this testimony makes perfect sense.  The 3 marks are faith, hope and love.  While you do not see these words in this passage the qualities are very much present.

·        Giving characterized by hope.  Hope is the kind of maturity one exhibits in the face of trials.  Our Lord promised there would be difficulties, but in His words to His disciples in John 14, He promised them that He would prepare a place for them so they could be together again.  It is this hope of Christ’s coming that helps the believer walk faithfully in his trials.  The churches of Macedonia were in a great period of affliction.  The economy was down.  Purse strings were drawn tight.  Yet in hope they gave liberally.

·        Giving characterized by faith.  Read Heb. 11, the “faith chapter.”  It is a list of men and women who, by faith, accomplished things beyond their ability.  God told them to do something, and though they could not see the end from the beginning, they obeyed.  As a result they found God to be amazingly powerful, doing in and through them what they could not have done.  So it was with the Macedonian churches.  They not only gave according to their ability, they went beyond their ability. 

·        Giving characterized by love.  The greatest of the qualities is love (1 Cor. 13:12).  It was the new commandment Jesus gave to the church (John 13:34-35).  The essence of love is giving (remember John 3:16).  Giving money or material goods is a practical way to love others.  Thus it is no surprise that the churches Paul points to were urgent about their giving, wanting Paul to come and get their offering immediately and get it to the needy saints. 

How is it that these believers showed such maturity?  It is because they had the great priorities of life in their proper order.  First they loved God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.  God had given to them His grace (v1); they responded by giving themselves to Him, even before they gave their money.  Then they gave themselves to the ministry of Paul, determining this offering was God’s will.  With the priorities right it made sense to give out of their trials, beyond their ability, to the needs of the saints.

Consider your giving.  Is it mature, reflecting hope, faith and love?

2 Cor. 7:2-16

Today’s passage is a bit longer than usual but it seems necessary to study it in its entirety.  Paul is continuing from Ch. 6 to encourage the Corinthians to open their hearts to him.  Yet some may still be questioning whether he had been so big-hearted to them.  It’s a picture we often see to this day.  As long as you are only positive with people they will respond to you.  But if you get in their face about something that needs to change they turn away from you, calling you judgmental or negative. 

This is Paul’s situation.  He had done nothing wrong (v2).  They were truly in his heart.  He bragged about them (v3).  Even though they were at times a trial to him he still rejoiced in their relationship (v4).  He illustrates this in the current situation in which Paul had reproved them over their seeming tolerance of sin in the fellowship (the strong words about the matter are in 1 Cor. 5).  Paul had in fact been quite concerned about their response and had been greatly comforted when Titus came with the news that they had well-received his reproof (v5-7).  Reproof is hard to give because we all want to be liked and we would rather not test our relationships.  Yet reproof is an indication of fatherly affection (1 Th. 2:11).  Failure to reprove is a lack of love.  Thus, in the end, Paul says that while he was concerned he did not regret what he had said (v8). 

Though they at first struggled with what he said, in the end they were changed by it.  Their sorrow led to repentance (v9).  Paul uses the moment to remind them of a powerful truth:  Godly sorrow produces repentance but the sorrow of the world produces death (v10).  In the case of the Corinthians their sorrow was godly as evidence by the tremendous zeal with which they eventually dealt with the matter (v11).  Thus Paul was comforted by the news Titus brought from his visit to Corinth (v12).  His bragging to Titus about the believers there proved to be well-founded.

Let us not miss what is said here for our benefit.  Note 3 important words:

o   Sorrow: sadness, a feeling of heaviness.  Jesus had sorrow in the garden of Gethsemane and it drove Him to prayer. 

o   Regret: to care afterwards, sorrow after an event.  Paul says he had it here at first but not long term.  Judas had this; he did not repent but only felt bad after his betrayal and so took his own life.  It is a sorrow, not about sin, but that one got caught or that one’s plans didn’t materialize.  This is the sorrow of the world.

o   Repentance: a change of mind that results in a change of life (Luke 3:8; Acts 26:20).  This is the result of and evidence of godly sorrow.

We must remember: all feelings, including sorrow, serve a purpose.  They call us to think about our situation.  But we are not to do simply what we feel like doing.  Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler caused sorrow and he turned away from Christ (Luke 18:23).  His worldly sorrow left him dead in his sins.  How do you receive reproof?  Is it with godly sorrow or the sorrow of the world?

2 Cor. 6:11-7:1

Have you ever heard someone say, “I was burned by someone I trusted; I won’t trust anyone like that ever again.”  It is a sad way of thinking.  Failure to trust deprives us of the richness that comes from those around us. 

This is especially true in the body of Christ.  The fellowship of believers is essential to the believer’s growth in Christ-likeness (Eph. 4:11-16).  To cut ourselves off from that fellowship leaves us without the nutrients God intended and we begin to atrophy.  If we then turn to false sources of nutrition for our souls we become diseased and wither on the vine (John 15:6).

Such was Paul’s problem with the Corinthians.  The attack on Paul’s integrity was false.  He was accused of not really caring about them when in fact he had opened up his own heart to them in a large way (our heart is wide open, v11).  If they believed those who attacked Paul and rejected Paul they would be rejecting a source of God’s grace necessary to their establishment and growth as a part of God’s vineyard. 

Thus Paul encourages them to have the same kind of large heart (that’s the literal translation) for him that he had for them (v13).  He had served them, as he always did, not only giving them the gospel but giving himself.  He didn’t just come in and schmooze them as those who were peddling the word of God.  He had been willing to reprove them over their grievous sins (as in 1 Corinthians).

Even now Paul issues a serious warning to them about joining with those whose teaching and lifestyle is in fact contrary to Christ:

o   Work in the field cannot be done by yoking an ox and donkey together; the ox will do all the work and the donkey will be an additional drag (Deut. 22:10).  The same is true in the service of Christ.

o   Righteousness and lawlessness cannot share the same event.

o   Light and darkness cannot be in fellowship.

o   Christ and Belial (a reference to Satan, from Deut. 13:13, meaning a worthless one) cannot be part of the same orchestra.

o   Believers and unbelievers cannot share the same depth of life (be in fellowship).

o   The temple of God and the temple of idols cannot be in agreement.  This is made clear through the quotes from the Old Testament which remind us that the point of being God’s temple is so He can dwell with His people.  God will not dwell side-by-side with idols.

Love for the family of God is evidence of true faith (I John 4:20-5:1).  It is also critical to our spiritual health.  Paul’s desire was not that they simply attend church; he longed for them to open their hearts wide to him.  It all hinged on their affections (v12).  What of our affections?  Do they lead us to be big-hearted toward the family of God or the temple of idols?  Knowing God’s desire to dwell with us let us cleanse ourselves from all unfilthiness, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Cor. 6:1-10

Paul has been lifting us up to amazing heights in describing his ministry.  But now he comes back to the issue that some at Corinth were rejecting his ministry.  The first 2 verses indicate he was concerned about their salvation.  Remember that Paul is a minister of the new covenant.  To reject him in favor of other so-called apostles (cf. 11:13) is to reject his message of reconciliation in Christ.  In that case they would have received the grace of God in vain (v1). 

Therefore Paul writes his own letter of commendation.  Notice that he has not offended in anything (v3).  He realizes what we must realize: evidence for one’s ministry involves every aspect of our lives, whether we are on- or off-duty.

If you were writing a letter of commendation for a church or ministry what kinds of things would you say?  The other night my wife listened while the member of a nearby church related the greatness of that church, telling how many had been saved, how the pastor was travelling around the country telling others how to reach young people for Christ, and how the members were involved in many hours of community service.  I consider this to be a good church, doing God’s work, and these things seemed impressive to me.  But at the same time Paul’s list of ministry successes is intriguing.  The list is not hard to understand, but read it through again and note the different marks of ministry.

o   In v4b-5 he speaks of the situations in which he served: patience, tribulation, needs, distresses (when the path is narrow), stripes, imprisonments, tumults (unstable situations), labors (wearying work), sleeplessness, fastings.

o   In v6-7a he speaks of the character he exhibited in these situations: purity, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, fullness of the Holy Spirit, sincere love, truthfulness based in the Word of God, by the power of God, clothed in the armor of righteousness.

o   In v7b-8a he speaks of contrasting types of environments where he served: under attack from all sides (the right and the left); whether respected or not; whether spoken evil of or honored.

o   In v8b-10 he speaks of the way he served God in adverse situations: though called a deceiver he was true; though not well known he spoke freely as one who is well-known; though often close to death he served with resurrection life; though chastened (punished for preaching the gospel) he served because he was not killed; though in sad situations he rejoiced to serve; though poor he, by the gospel, made many rich in Christ; though having nothing he served as one who possessed all things.

What Paul is saying is true for us.  When we reach out to others in the name of Christ our most compelling testimony and opportunity to serve will be when people watch us in adversity.  Only then will they care about the reason for our hope, as Peter put it (1 Peter 3:15).  Do people trust you when you speak of Christ?  What is the proof of your ministry? 

Psalm 3

This Psalm is easy to discern in terms of the subject of each stanza.  But the inscription gives us a possible historical setting for this Psalm that adds tremendous insight and application.  It is a Psalm that reflects on the time when David fled Jerusalem to get away from his son Absalom.  This was perhaps the most intense time of David’s life in terms of depth of sorrow.  And yet we hear David claim great peace and courage.  Do we not long for the same in our similar situations?  If you have even struggled with a wayward child you may have some sense of how deep we can grieve.  And especially if the waywardness of the child is in some way tied to our own waywardness, as was the case with David.

 

·        v1-2: David’s problem.

The actual story of Absalom’s rebellion is in 2 Samuel 15-19, although the seeds of the situation go back to David’s sin with Bathsheba.  The judgment pronounced on David was that the sword would never depart from David’s house (2 Sam. 12:9-10).  Already Absalom had killed his brother Amnon because he raped their sister Tamar.  Now Absalom made a determined effort to take the throne.

 

David says in this passage that he had many troublers who rose up against him.  This was certainly the case as Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel by his charm and handsome appearance.  But when David says there were many who told him that God would not help him, which might have been a hard thought for him to dispel from his mind.  After all, he had brought this on himself.  He had been forgiven by God (2 Sam. 12:13-14).  But do we not understand what it is to doubt God’s forgiveness as we experience the consequences of our sin?

 

·        v3-4: David’s theology.

Lest David be in total despair and spiritually incapable of facing the situation, he needed to tell himself the truth in the face of the lie being told by his weak conscience.  In fact God would help him.  God would be his shield and the One who alone would lift him up to the throne again.  Think about this in the story of Absalom.  As David left Jerusalem he knew there were many who sided with Absalom who had been his (David’s) associates.  There was the possibility that Mephibosheth, to whom David had shown much kindness, was now using this situation in hopes that he would gain the throne as the only living heir of King Saul ((2 Sam. 16:1-4).  There was Shimei, another relative of Saul, who cursed David (2 Sam. 16:5-14).  And there was the advisor Ahithophel, the grandfather of Bathsheeba (2 Sam. 11:3; 23:34,39), who was possibly looking for revenge on David.  He became Absaloms key advisor, one to be feared.  All these are saying, in one way or another, “There is no help for him in God.”

 

When everyone around us, including our own conscience, is saying what may sound true but which in fact is a lie, we must tell our souls the truth.  We must go to the word of God and find words on which we can stand.  We must know who God is in truth so that we can cry out to Him. 

 

There is a tremendous picture involved in this.  When David fled he crossed over the Kidron Valley, over the Mount of Olives and out to the desert to the Jordan.  The Kidron is known in scripture as a place where idols were destroyed, both in the time of Kings Asa and Josiah.  For David, his passage through this area was a time in which he had to rid himself of any false notions about God, and to come to worship Him in truth.  This Psalm makes it clear he did just that.  Let us consider this.  Our view of God must not depend on what we have heard from others, even those who claim to speak for God.  We must know the truth God through Jesus Christ, the full and perfect image of the invisible God (Heb. 1:1-3).  By the word of God alone can we have a true thought about God that will sustain us in difficulty.

 

·        v5-6: David’s peace.

These words are amazing, again, given the situation.  David fled and continued late into the night to get over the Jordan to a place of safety.  And yet what is his experience?  He had good rest.  He had no fear.  It is not that the situation was not hard for him to bear.  It is not that he was oblivious to what was going on.  But these things were not able to keep him from what God would provide.  Do we not have some understanding of sleepless nights where we are awake, obsessed with the events of the day?  or the turmoil and stress that increase (v1-2)?  Friends, let us understand that these are not badges of honor whereby we can almost brag of our problems.  They are times when we can be stripped of our idols and brought to peace by the true God.

 

·        v7-8: David’s praise.

And so we see that David is able to come to God in the truth.  He confidently cries out for salvation (deliverance) as his mind is not filled with truth.  He remembers God’s deliverances in the past.  He remembers that salvation belongs to God, salvation that is both personal for him and corporate for God’s people.  This is critical.  Remember that through all this God did not deny the unconditional covenant He had made with David to have a descendent on the throne forever (2 Sam. 7:1-17).  What happened to David would effect the people as well. 

So for us, what is at stake is the truth of God.  If we have been forgiven through the blood of Christ, then the forgiveness is permanent.  We will suffer consequences for sin, but God will never go back on His graceful word that has been established through the finished work of Christ.  May we praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness even when we suffer for the sinful decisions of our past.

 

Salvation belongs to the Lord!

2 Cor. 5:18-21

Only one goal in life fits those created by God.  They must live to please their Maker (5:9).  Paul does this by carrying out the ministry of the new covenant (3:6), declaring that Christ died for sinful men that they might live for Him (5:15).  Paul is moved by the fear of God, knowing that all men including himself will stand before God to give account of their lives (v11).  Paul is also moved by the love of Christ (v14). 

In today’s passage we are presented with yet another compelling motivation for serving God.  Paul says, “God has done something wonderful for all mankind and He has called me to declare that good news to others.” 

What is it that God has done?  He has made it possible for sinful humanity to be reconciled to the Creator against whom they have rebelled.  On the one hand God has not been counting their sins against them (v19).  The word impute means to put to one’s account.  Impute is an accounting term, referring to items put on a ledger as either assets or liabilities.  The Bible speaks of 3 great accounting transactions or imputations …

o   The sin of Adam was put to every man’s account (Rom. 5:12).  We all became sinners in Adam.

o   The sin of men was put to Christ’s account (Isa. 53:12; 2 Cor. 5:18,21).  Christ took our liability on Himself.  As v21 says: “He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.”

o   The righteousness of Christ was put to the account of the believer (2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:8-9; Rom. 5:17-19). 

When you put this together you understand v19, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them.  Someone else (Christ) paid the debt owed by mankind.  Thus the sin that made man the enemy of God has been forgiven; there can be reconciliation.

This is certainly wonderful news.  It speaks of something God has already done.  And it speaks of people needing to be reconciled to God (v20).  Thus the ministry of reconciliation consists of people simply declaring what God has done (v19) and pleading with people to receive the reconciliation.  Paul illustrates this with the reference to being ambassadors for Christ (v20).  An ambassador is the representative of a government or king.  He is not charged with expressing his own ideas but solely passes on the message given to him. 

One last truth must be noted in v18: God has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.  Paul had a unique ministry that included the recording of Scripture.  But the ministry of sharing this good news with others belongs to every believer.  What joy there is in declaring the word of reconciliation.  Who would not want to tell their friends and loved ones that God has already removed the source of enmity?  Who would not be inclined to implore those friends and loved ones to be reconciled to God?

2 Cor. 5:11-17

(Our family is grieving the loss of a son/grandson/cousin.  I am going to set aside the task of writing new posts and will repeat some posts from 2 Corinthians.  We did this last year when our daughter passed away, republishing posts from 2 Cor. 1:1-5:10 (see our blog April 11-24, 2023).  We are picking up at that point today and for the next several days.  We thank you for praying for us.  Please feel free to use our comment option to leave passages from the Bible that you think might be encouraging.)

* * * * * * * * * *

There is one goal in life for all men: to please God (v9)!  And there is no question that the fear of God (or the terror of the Lord, v11) is a motivating factor in this.  It is a fact: I will appear before God to give an account someday.  And so will everyone around me.  Thus reaching out to others with the gospel of Christ has a tremendous urgency.

At the same time, and without contradiction, we are motivated by the love of Christ.  Meditate on this thought as there are many who would think you can’t have both motivations.  This passage makes it clear that Paul had both.  He was deeply fearful that men not stand before God unprepared.  At the same time he knew that the only way anyone could stand before God prepared was by the gracious and merciful provision of that same God.

Paul is still dealing with the issue of his integrity in ministry (v12-13).  The commendation idea goes back to 3:1-3 when he asked if he needed a letter of commendation.  Here he is saying that he does not want them to think he is bragging about himself.  He wants them to be able to think well of him because they know his heart is in the right place.  His approach to ministry caused some to think he was crazy (Acts 26:24) but he says it is because he is so committed to pleasing God.  On the other hand if his ministry seemed to be effective it was for them.  He showed the same 2-fold orientation in 4:5: toward God he preached Christ as Lord, without any hesitation; toward the Corinthians he was their slave.

So if Paul was not in this for himself then what motivated him?  The answer is clear: he is compelled by the love of Christ (v14-15).  Paul knew deeply the work of Christ in his own life and he knew it from the testimony of Scripture: Christ died for all.  Furthermore, if Christ died for all, then that meant that all were in trouble, all had need of the forgiveness and eternal life Christ provided through His death and resurrection.

The love of Christ compelled Paul.  That is a strong term meaning he was pressed, almost forced to serve Christ.  What caused him to be so committed or passionate was not the fear of God but the love of Christ.  That love of Christ for Paul was the basis for Paul’s love for the dying people around him. 

He was so moved that he no longer saw people in a merely visible way (v16).  He saw them spiritually in terms of their need for Christ.  Likewise he no longer saw those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as those born in sin; rather he knew they were a new creation (v17).  To see people the way Paul saw them is to have a true view of reality.  The spiritual need of sinful man is real.  The change wrought by Christ is likewise real.

What a tremendous passage this is.  We are being taken deep into our own hearts to see what motivates us.  Are we out to please God or ourselves?  Do we feel deeply the love of Christ?  Do I merely know people by their race, gender, occupation, degree or title?  Or do I know them through the eyes of Christ? 

Ep. 3:14-21 God’s Communicable Attributes (17, Application)

What do the following passages indicate as to the only proper response as we grow in the knowledge of God?

Psalm 16:2 O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”  “Goodness” is tob, the good things I have or experience.  They are nothing if I don’t have the LORD!

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  It’s not that the LORD is hesitant to bless those who seek Him.  As we walk in His presence we will be going where He leads, we will experience His joy (even in sorrow), and there will an abundance of pleasures.

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.  As we increasingly see His face we are transformed into His likeness, which satisfies because that is what we were created for.

Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.  The longing of our hearts is not for the blessings but for a life in His presence.  When we are there, we are satisfied.

Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.  These are the words of Asaph in the Psalm where he envied the wicked.  But after he met the LORD in the temple, the place of divine fellowship, he realized that to have the LORD is to have everything!

If you have not yet read today’s passage, please do so now.  It is one of Paul’s prayers.  The one request Paul made was that the Spirit of God would strengthen the believers of Ephesus.  The end result would be that Christ would dwell in their hearts.  In the Psalms this means they would experience the presence or face of the LORD.  The result of this would be that they would daily learn the love of God.  This is not just “one” of God’s attributes.  It is the one that gathers together all of God’s desires for His people.  This love surpasses all knowledge.  And yet, by the Spirit, we are able to comprehend His love, and in so doing we are filled with all the fullness of God. 

The bottom line application of God’s “communicable” attributes is that we be filled with His fullness.  May it be so for me!  (We, my wife and I, have lost another precious loved one, a grand-son.  My greatest struggle is that I can think of so many ways that I do not believe that I loved him in the best possible way.  I long to love as God loves.  Please pray for us in this time.  The next several posts will be repeats from 2 Corinthians.)

Jud. 11:12-28, Communicable Attributes (16, Sovereignty)

c)     Sovereignty: absolute authority over everything He has created. 

Psalm 2:4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Some may think God is cruel to laugh.  But in the previous verses the powerful people of earth announced their plan to throw off God’s authority.  That is a truly silly thought and produces the laughter.

Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.  Those who fear and seek God should take comfort in God’s authority over all creation.

Psalm 9:7 But the LORD shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. God’s judgment throne is forever.  It will never be different: the only opinion that matters for any of us is God’s!

Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. Likewise, God’s plan(s) will always be fulfilled.  Our need is to be part of what He is doing.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!  Since God is sovereign over all creation, all creation exists to exalt Him.

Psalm 141:8 But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. Again, sovereignty comforts God’s people.

Acts 17:24-27 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.  The truth that catches my attention is in v26.  God has preappointed the times and boundaries of the nations.  Over history nations have fought wars over boundaries (see today’s reading, esp. v23-24).  And note that the reason is so each nation, as they live in their land, will be moved to seek God.  God’s sovereignty exists in connection with all His attributes.  He is not arbitrary and unpredictable as the gods of this world.  Any “unpredictability” is the result of the foolishness of men and their refusal to pay attention to His word.

Revelation 19:6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!  This must be the heart of mankind today, not just in the future revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Again, this is a “communicable” attribute.  The God who created all things gave man dominion over that creation (Gen. 1:26-28).

2 Cor. 4:7-18, Communicable Attributes (15, Omnipotence)

Let’s move to the NT as we continue to think of God’s omnipotence.

Rom. 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.  Step out on a clear night and check out the stars.  Either you say, “wow, the Creator must be mega-powerful to have made what I see;” or you say, “nobody could make what I see; there must have been an explosion.”  God’s omnipotence is one thing we learn from “general revelation.”

Eph. 1:19-21 … and what is the exceeding greatness of His power (dunamis) toward us who believe, according to the working (energeo, the energy that flows) of His mighty (kratos) power (ischus) 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.  God’s omnipotence is seen in what He did for His Son in fulfilling His promise (Ps. 2:6-9), but it is also seen in the Son as well who is over all other powers.

Eph. 6:10: Finally, my brethren, be strong (dunamis) in the Lord and in the power (kratos) of His might (ischus).  In terms of the believer be strengthened by God’s power, Paul loves to use a variety of terms.  The Greek, of course, has a certain precision which makes word studies of great value.  Look at these words, remembering that they are in the context of our fight against principalities and power and spiritual forces.  What we need is dunamis, ability to fight.  We need to be sure that our ability is not from the flesh (the best we can do) but that it is the Lord’s “kratos” which, in the NT, is primarily used of God.  It is His manifested power or might (see it’s use in Eph. 1:19 above), which shows up in His “ischus,” which refers to the force of His ability.  Thus, our ability, which is not worth much, needs to be empowered by His ability which is very powerful.  Col. 1:11 says the same, that we are strengthened (dunamis) with all might (dunamis), according to His glorious power (kratos).  God’s omnipotence is available to believers.  We have omnipotent ability to fight the spiritual battle as we put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11).

May I just note that the evolutionary approach to earthly things depends on weakness. That is why it takes billions of years to move along.  Every time some new aspect of humanity is discovered it adds millions of more years to the process because there is no strength in evolution.  Furthermore, in evolution, you are what you are.  If you are stronger than other men you might achieve something the world considers valuable.  But it still leaves you incredibly weak when it comes to beating death.  At some point you will lose, and evolution has nothing to offer beyond that moment.

Ps. 29, God’s Communicable Attributes (14, Omnipotence)

b)    Omnipotence: by His infinite power, He is able to do all He wills. 

Psalm 29 is today’s reading.  The Psalmist seems to be watching a powerful storm, with mighty wind and thunder and lightning, and in it he sees God’s power.

Psalm 78:42-55 42 They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy, 43 When He worked His signs in Egypt, And His wonders in the field of Zoan; 44 Turned their rivers into blood, And their streams, that they could not drink. 45 He sent swarms of flies among them, which devoured them, And frogs, which destroyed them. 46 He also gave their crops to the caterpillar, And their labor to the locust. 47 He destroyed their vines with hail, And their sycamore trees with frost. 48 He also gave up their cattle to the hail, And their flocks to fiery lightning. 49 He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, Wrath, indignation, and trouble, By sending angels of destruction among them. 50 He made a path for His anger; He did not spare their soul from death, But gave their life over to the plague, 51 And destroyed all the firstborn in Egypt, The first of their strength in the tents of Ham. 52 But He made His own people go forth like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock; 53 And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54 And He brought them to His holy border, This mountain which His right hand had acquired. 55 He also drove out the nations before them, Allotted them an inheritance by survey, And made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents. Another important lesson we learn from the Exodus is God’s omnipotence.  In Ps. 78 the Ephraimites did not learn this lesson, and thus had not trusted God.  Thus, they had not properly displayed God’s glory.  The result was that God took away their privileged position of having the Ark of the Covenant in Shiloh.  Again, this is a “communicable” attribute.  We are not “omnipotent” but we do understand the concept of “power.”  When we are strengthened by God’s power He is glorified and we are blessed.

Psa. 147:5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. There is nothing God sees and knows that is beyond the limit of His power.  That is comforting for believers.

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. This greatly encourages me when praying. 

Deut. 33:26-27 “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. 27 The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’ Knowing God’s omnipotence was critical for Israel as they entered the land.  The first time they were at the border, they feared the people of the land and dishonored God by refusing to go in. 

Let’s revisit “omnipotence” in the next post.

Psalm 2

If Psalm 1 is perfect to begin the “Hymnal of the Saints”, Psalm 2 must then follow immediately.  First we understand life is a choice.  There are only 2 ways: the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly.  Only one way leads to God and has His favor.  Now in this magnificent Psalm God reveals His plan for history.  Herein we see the 2 ways being lived out.  And we see the only way mankind can be righteous. 

 

The Psalm is quite simple in terms of organization.  There are four stanzas, each with three verses.  In v1-3 wicked men speak against God; in v4-6 the LORD speaks to the wicked men; in v7-9 the LORD speaks to His Anointed; in v10-12 wicked men are called to submit to the LORD and His Anointed.

 

I.  The opposition to the LORD’s Anointed, v1-3.

The Creator has provided a wonderful universe for mankind.  As in the Garden of Eden we see that all the needs are met.  But there is a limit: one tree that is forbidden to Man.  The Man doesn’t need the one tree.  He has all he needs.  But the Man hates the limitation.  So he rebels against the Lord.  What vanity (emptiness, v1)!  What pride (v3)!  What foolishness!  Does the pot resist the potter? 

 

II. The exaltation of the LORD’s Anointed, v4-6.

God’s attitude toward this is exactly what should be expected.  One does not reason with fools.  One laughs at their ridiculous ideas, and then simply reminds them of reality, the reality that has escaped them.  (Isa. 40:12-26 gives a  more lengthy statement of God’s perspective of the great people of earth who exalt themselves against their Creator.)  Note that the LORD says to mankind, “I HAVE set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”  This is the way it is, whatever we think.  This is the reality of history.  If we think the world doesn’t look like this then we must understand that our perspective is faulty.  His Anointed is King.  But read on …

 

III. The promise to the LORD’s Anointed, v7-9.

This stanza tells us the identity of the LORD’s Anointed and how the rule of the Anointed will be seen by all.  First, the Anointed is the LORD’s Son.  This is not a surprise to those in Israel who pay attention to God’s revelation.  There was a hint at this connection between the Anointed (Melchizedek) and a “son” in Gen. 14:18-15:6 (the offspring of Abraham).  It became clearer when God sent Abraham to sacrifice “your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love” on one of the peaks of Moriah (Gen. 22:2).  That event, where Isaac did not die, became memorable to God’s people from then on, that He had revealed something significant about how He would provide for man’s salvation (Gen. 22:14).  It is not really strange when Proverbs poses the question, What is His (the Holy One) name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know?” (Prov. 30:4).  The Anointed is God’s Son by decree, having the role of firstborn or heir.  The cults and false religions contain much silliness about God having a wife so as to produce a son.  By this decree we then see how it is that the LORD will bring to fulfillment the rule of His Anointed.  The LORD who is sovereign over all the nations and the creator of all will give the nations to His Son as an inheritance.  Because of the rebellion of the nations, the Son will then take His inheritance by force.  Would you like a very clear picture of this?  Read the parable Jesus told in Luke 20:9-19 where the foolish rulers determine to kill the Heir so they can have His inheritance.  Again, what foolishness!

 

IV. The submission to the LORD’s Anointed, v10-12.

Where does this lead?  Easily we can see that there is only one response.  We would be wise to bow the knee to the Son now.  Why be so foolish in putting it off.  For those who do not bow the knee He will rightfully break them and dash them to pieces in His anger.  As one would approach an earthly king and bow before him, kissing his ring, so we are advised to “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way.”  Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

 

And now let us update the story.  What more has the LORD said?  Who is His Son?  The angel announced that Mary’s Son would be ‘the Son of the Highest’ (Luke 1:32).  The LORD Himself said that Jesus of Nazareth was His only Son, the Son that He loved (Matt. 3:17).  Satan seemed to understand this as well (Matt. 4:3).  Jesus accepted this title from His disciples (Matt. 16:16-17).  And in the most powerful way, Jesus Christ “was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:3-4).  God sent His Son, as He had promised throughout Scripture.  And we know it is Jesus; His resurrection proclaims it boldly.

 

Someday this “mystery of God” will be finished (Rev. 10:7) at the time when all heaven will announce, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Rev. 11:15).  We cannot plead any more passionately, “Kiss the Son!”  Put your trust in Him!

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Ro. 11:28-36, God’s Communicable Attributes (13, Freedom)

3)    Will (determines)

a)    Freedom: though never contrary to His nature, He does as He pleases.  [The theologian specifies, never contrary to His nature.  Sometimes we talk in a way that God can do anything regardless.  We want to emphasize His greatness.  Or perhaps we are trying to explain some hard passage in Scripture and just say, “well, God can do whatever He pleases.”  What this definition says is that God always works within His nature as well as His word.  If we struggle with what God has done in a situation, we ought to remember that His works have not denied His attributes.  The context of these passages exalt God’s freedom while also exalting His faithfulness.]

Job 23:13 “But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does.”   Job’s argument with His friends is about God’s freedom.  Job said does what He wants while he intimated that God was unfair.

Psalm 115:3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. This affirmation counters the nations who denied God’s existence (v2).

Psalm 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places.  This affirms His greatness over all gods.

Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’  God’s freedom to do all He pleases is not counter to what He declared in the beginning concerning the end of times.  He is free and faithful.

Daniel 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?”  We can easily get overcome by the great people of this world.  But no one can keep God from doing or even questioning His will.  See also Isa.40:13-27.

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” 35 “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.  This is Paul’s summation of God’s freedom with respect to keeping His word to Israel.

Ephesians 1:5 …having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.  What God did before the foundation of the world, He did what brought Him pleasure.

Ephesians 1:9 …having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.  Not only our own salvation, but the “mystery of God” which He is fulfilling in and for His Son was for His pleasure.  God alone is the one who can simply be said to do what He pleases to do!

Lam. 3:16-24, Communicable Attributes (12, Faithfulness)

h)    Faithfulness: He is mindful of His covenants, & fulfills all the promises He makes.  [The term “promises” is a legitimate word in Scripture.  But here’s something to consider.  Every word God’s speaks is, in a sense, is a promise because it is true.  Every word can be counted on.  In 1 Ki. 8:56 the NKJV refers to “all that He promised.”  The Hebrew word is dabar, used 1,143x in the OT, and translated speak, declare, converse, promise, warn, threaten, command, sing.  If God warns, He will be faithful to do what He warned about.  If He threatens, He follows through.  If He declares, those who receive the word can count on it to be effective.  His word is never vain or empty.  Here are some situations where this is seen.  In the NT there is a Greek term (epangelia) that has the sense of promise of good or blessing (e.g. Rom. 9:4).]

Psalm 9:10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.  Oh, that we would believe this.  If you seek the LORD He will make sure you find Him.  Jer. 29:13 applies this to the people of Israel in captivity: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. These familiar words were Jeremiah’s solid rock in the lowest time of Israel in the OT, when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by Babylon.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  The context here is God’s promise to keep us blameless until the day of Christ.  See also 1 Thess. 5:23-24.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.  This needs to be in every believer’s arsenal.  Every phrase is a promise that God is faithful to keep.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.  Fear of the devil should be kept in check.  As John said, Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.  This is my favorite.  He keeps His word, even if I do not keep mine.

Deuteronomy 7:9 “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.  This was the word for Israel as they prepared to enter Canaan.  God keeps His covenants (those are “promises”).  God keeps His “mercy,” which is checed, all God’s variety of blessings.  Again, whatever God is and says, He is faithful to be and do!

Psalm 85, God’s Communicable Attributes (11, Truth)

g)    Truth: He is perfectly reliable & sees things as they really are.  [In today’s post we consider “truth;” in the next post, “faithfulness.”  In English we differentiate between these.  But in the Bible these ideas are tied together.  In Hebrew there is a word, emeth (often used alongside chesed; I often refer to the marriage of “Emmet and Chesed;” see it in Ps. 8:10a: mercy and truth have met together).  Strong’s basic definition of emeth is firmness, faithfulness, truth.  If a man knows and speaks the truth but does not live by the truth, he is a hypocrite.  That kind of man is of little use.  A really “true” man is one whose heart is also true, meaning he is faithful.  Likewise, God’s faithfulness is seen in the fact that He keeps His word.

Perhaps you have heard the phrase, “all truth is God’s truth.”  This is a “true” statement if you understand it correctly.  It is not that every person who discovers something that is truth is, thereby, a godly person.  Rather, it is that something is true because it relates fully to God.  Prov. 8:22-31 explains this.  The wisdom/truth of God was built into creation.  Thus, any scientific discovery glorifies God, the Creator, the “Master Craftsman” (8:30).  If it does not, then either the discovery or its explanation are not true.  Thus we acknowledge: all truth is God’s truth.]

Psalm 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  Psalms 19 and 119 emphasize the truth of God’s word.  Since it is truth, it does it’s work in the human soul when the human commits himself or herself to that word.

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”  And remember: these words are spoken by the prophet Balaam, who was an evil prophet (Jude 11; 2 Pt. 2:15).  To the extent that he said only what God told him to say, to that extent he was true.  And he proclaimed some important prophecies about Israel and the end times. 

Romans 3:4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”  Paul is answering a question (cf. 3:3) from those who did not understand how God could be good to the sinner and true to Himself at the same time.  They claimed that such a doctrine would encourage people to sin more, and thus God’s saving plan would not be effective.  The quote is from David’s great Psalm of confession (51:4).  If you struggle with God forgiving what David did, then you will also struggle with His willingness to forgive you.  Again, Ps. 85:10: Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.  This all happened in Christ!  In Christ, God’s truth was clearly displayed.