The BIG Sin (More)

Psalm 51

So often I have heard how important it is to keep short accounts with God, included in that thought might be quoted about not letting the sun go down on your wrath. It is interesting even here in this psalm that some believe that Nathan may have come to David possibly up to a year after king David did what he did, at least months later. Within that time even having one of his mighty men Uriah the Hittite, Bathsheba's husband, set forth in the battle, withdrawing from him basically assuring his death. Bathsheba's pregnancy no longer unnoticeable. And David still hadn't brought what he had done to God. Years before David had waited until after Abigail's husband Nabal had died before he took her to be his wife. But now David had to be faced with his sin before the holy God. By any way of looking at it it wasn't a short account.

This brings up other thoughts about sin. When we realize there's a difference between what we're told God expects and what actually happens. We may be concerned about the BIG sin while others ask anout HOW MANY sins?

Then came Peter to him, and said, Master, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I shall forgive him? vnto seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say not to thee, Unto seven times, but, Unto seventy times seven times.

Matthew 18:21 - 22 GNV

And at another time...

Take heed to your selves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him: and if he repent, forgive him. And though he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, It repenteth me, thou shalt forgive him.

Luke 17:3 - 4 GNV

So the question didn't only involve how many times, but includes how many times in a day. In a day? Wait a minute! Not just seven times, but seven times in a day? Someone mught say, ah, come on. Well, no, that is what Jesus said, and further in the first example fron Matthew the forgiveness rate was seventy times seven. And while still trying to justify ourselves for NOT doing that we add in what and how we learned to pray.

And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debters.

For if ye do forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye do not forgive men their trespasses, no more will your father forgive you your trespasses.

Matthew 6:12, 14 - 15 GNV

Some might even say here, That's downright insane, that's impossible. But it is also what Jesus taught about prayer. It's probably not a good time to ask, how's your prayer life?

Then there's those who would drag others declaring their big sin to Jesus. How did that work out?

Then the Scribes, and the Pharisees brought unto him a woman, taken in adultery, and set her in the midst, And said unto him, Master, we found this woman committing adultery, even in the very act. Now Moses in our Law commanded, that such should be stoned: what sayest thou therefore? And this they said to tempt him, that they might have, whereof to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. And while they continued asking him, he lift himself up, and said unto them, Let him that is among you without sin, cast the first stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And when they heard it, being accused by their own conscience, they went out one by one, beginning at the eldest even to the last: so Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lift up himself again, and saw no man, but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.

John 8:3 - 11 GNV

So many lessons are contained in this scene, but what we see here, Jesus fully man and Jesus fully God living out what He taught. Being fully God the offense of her life was against Him, yet fully man, Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.

And one more thought about sin, a great amount of sin Jesus spoke defending the woman who had annointed His feet, wash His feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair. Those sitting at supper with Him were whispering, If he knew what kind of woman she is he wouldn't stand for all of that. What Jesus taught:

Now when the Pharisee which bade him, saw it, he spake within himself, saying, If this man were a Prophet, he would surely have known who, and what manner of woman this is which toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

(Jesus taught) There was a certain lender which had two debters: the one owed five hundreth pence, and the other fifty: When they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both: Which of them therefore, tell me, will love him most? Simon answered, and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast truly judged. Then he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, and thou gavest me no water to my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Wherefore I say unto thee, many sins are forgiuen her: for she loved much. To whom a litle is forgiven, he doth love a little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven thee.

Luke 7:39, 41 - 44, 47 - 48 GNV

Is there more? There is, but I have so much to check my life against what Jesus taught and His way He wants us to simply follow Him. Though it might be obvious sometimes we miss the wrong we done doing so for months or maybe even years. We may have many sins. What a need to forgive others, especially when we ask God to forgive us. And then to recognize for our sins we have nothing to pay, it is His great forgiveness that we need, and to recognize our many sins He has forgiven, and to love Him more because He has forgiven so much. Like my last post, Jesus never needed to pray this psalm, but O how He longs for us to pray it.