So we’ve come a long way in examining the gap between David’s behavior and his claiming to be without sin in the following verses:
“For I have kept the ways of Adonai,
I have not done evil by leaving my God;
for all his rulings were before me,
I did not depart from his regulations.
I was pure-hearted toward him
and kept myself from my sin.”
-2 Samuel 22:22-24
Clearly, King David did NOT keep the ways of Adonai…despite what Rabbinic Judaism claims.
Yet, he was a man whose heart (mind) was after the Lord.
So here’s the bottom line.
Your daily behavior doesn’t get you into heaven.
Yet it won’t get you kicked out either.
However, your daily behavior will bring blessings or curses in your lifetime here on earth.
You will be severely punished, as David was, if you sin grievously.
So don’t fall prey to any false preaching in your congregation that suggests the believer is immune from the Lord’s divine discipline.
Because it just ain’t true, homie.
Messiah’s death on the cross has rescued you from eternal death…
But it ain’t gonna save you from disaster and discipline on this earth due to your transgressions.
The opposite is also true, by the way.
You know all those goody two-shoes you see in society.
You know the ones I’m talking about, right?
They seem to be living a perfect life filled with earthly blessings and loving adoration from friends and family.
They’re usually married men with kids who work at corporate jobs, and are damn mighty proud of that fact.
Nothing against married men, but I despise the arrogant types who always lob hints my way, indicating how superior they are to me just by virtue of the fact that they have a family and kids, and I don’t.
Anyway, my point is, the absolute certainty of the curse of eternal death awaits them, despite their perfect behavior and lifestyles, if they have not been born again via the redeeming sacrifice of what the Messiah did for Israel and mankind.
Ya feel me?
King David is a hero in Judaism as he is seen as the “perfect” example of the Messiah.
But honestly?
He’s simply the perfect example of the believer’s life.
He had highs and lows.
Wins and failures.
Good days and terrible ones.
Yet, despite the roller coaster ride that was his life…
He kept trusting God.
And that’s what secured his eternal salvation.
But when it comes to our life here on earth.
Whether we reap blessings or curses
That depends on our behavior and…
Whether we keep God’s commands or not.
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“For by grace you have
been saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God
— not of works,
lest any man should boast.”
—Ephesians 2:8–9
“He that believes on the Son
has everlasting life;
and he that believes
not the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God abides on him.”
—John 3:36
“To him that does not work,
but believes on Him who
justifies the ungodly,
His faith is counted for righteousness.”
—Romans 4:5
I’m guessing that, despite David’s very bad couple of sins, he never stopped following Torah, keeping the Sabbath, holy days and new moons, the dietary laws etc. And I’m guessing that he never stopped praying, praising God and repenting. And I’m guessing this is why David claimed he had kept the ways of God. Many would argue about this and we can’t know exactly why David made this claim. My opinion is, if you turn away from keeping the Sabbath, feasts and new moon days it will be very difficult if not impossible to come back to them again. All sins are bad but some carry more disastrous consequences than others, and some are harder to repent of than others. Sexual lust won’t necessarily derail a person if they are firmly rooted in Torah. I was once heavily into pornography but got out of it, but my heavy involvement from years ago still tempts me from time to time. That’s the price you pay for that one. Your flesh remembers what your mind wishes to forget.
Thanks for sharing, Cory.
I’ve also struggled with pornography.
But honestly, when I’m immersed in blogging through God’s Word, that temptation fades away.
Be blessed.