King Saul committed significant sins. King David committed significant sins. King Saul was rejected by God. King David is not rejected by God. What makes the difference between these two men?
David was selected by God to be the ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Yet, he committed adultery. He stole another man’s wife. He ordered the murder of that man. He convinced himself that the sin he committed was a secret. His behavior was that of self-satisfaction for how he plotted all his intentions.
There is a massive difference between these two Royal sinners. Saul did not take warning. David was caught in the sin by the prophet Nathan. This is reminiscent of the Scripture that says, “Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot commit sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9) The wording of this verse tells us that a person who is born again does not routinely, regularly, persistently live a life of sin. It is not up to us to judge whether or not Saul made it to heaven. It is curious, however, how that could be.
David routinely, regularly, persistently sought to live a life that was righteous. His example is one that says if a believer falls into sin, no matter how serious that sin may be, he has forgiveness available to him. Such a person cannot arbitrarily claim forgiveness just because he requests it. He must become aghast at the revelation and realization of what he is done in the eyesight of the Lord God Almighty.
This is why this text is so significant. David wrote this Psalm after being confronted about the sin he committed. He begins by calling on God’s mercy. He seeks cleansing from his sin like that of being washed thoroughly. In this Psalm David openly acknowledged what he did. We are reminded that the sin was against God himself. Even as a professing believer, David recognized that his sin would be thoroughly judged by God. His only hope would be for God’s cleansing. This is a mighty example for how a backsliding believer reinstates his fellowship with God.
The repentant believer will always seek to have a clean heart and a renewed spirit. It would be a fearful thought, though not possible, for God to cast away his own. While in the world of sin the believer could not experience the joy of his salvation that he once did until restored to that special place under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Having learned his lesson, he pledges to influence other people to live a closer life to God. A regiment of religious rituals could not satisfy the issue. Instead, if we believers find ourselves in a backslidden state we can only rejoin in the fellowship of God by a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Afterwards, can only a life well lived matter through righteousness.
This does not mean that the backslidden believer will avoid the consequences of sin. In the case of David, he brought the curse upon himself and his family of violence that would permeate throughout the behavior of his loved ones. His own son Absalom sought to overthrow David and become king. Rape and murder was part of the family heritage. Confusion within royal decrees reached out even to his extended family and those associated with him.
Sin does have its way. The results are unavoidable. Scripture says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6: 7,8)
We may not walk the perfect path. Nonetheless, it is our duty to attempt to do so. When we fail, we bring dishonor to God and the life well lived. The believer must be always conscious of the effects his life has on other people at any time. Sin is never personal. Sin does always have victims. Our duty, our responsibility is to be a friend of God like that of David. Saul sought his own interests, but David sought God’s. The question remains how closely we seek to live to God by his standards.
