… And be sure your sin will find you out.

— Numbers 32:23

Sometimes Christians mistakenly think that if we sin, we can somehow escape the penalty for sin because of the forgiveness Christ purchased for us on the Cross. We may be forgiven, but we may also still face the consequences of those sins.

David’s sin with Bathsheba negatively impacted his family. His son Absalom rebelled and attempted to stage a coup against David. In that rebellion, Absalom was killed.

When news was brought to the king of his son’s death, David uttered what are without question, the most poignant words in all of Scripture. He said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!” For David knew what no parent can stand to know and that is that Absalom, his heart’s desire, was a rebel not only against himself, but against God—that Absalom is in Hell. And it was because of the example of his life, and because of the sin of his life that his own son now had perished. “Absalom, my son, my son!”

Does the Christian sin with impunity? Dear friend, ask King David.

Question to ponder:
Although we may bear the scars of sin for a lifetime, doesn’t it touch you deeply to know that in Christ your sins are forgiven?