2 Samuel 13:20-23 – “Then Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now keep silent, my sister, he is your brother; do not take this matter to heart.” So Tamar remained and was desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. 21 Now when King David heard of all these matters, he was very angry. 22 But Absalom did not speak to Amnon either good or bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar. 23 Now it came about after two full years that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-Hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was awakened to several things. One was being overly tolerant of sin in Christians or those who profess Christ.
In 2 Samuel 13, we have the horrible story of Amnon raping his sister Tamar. In verses 21-23, three sins are revealed, each affecting not only the sinner but others as well. Amnon’s act is obvious. Then we see a second sin with an even broader impact. “When King David heard about all these things, he was very angry.”
That is good, but he did nothing. He was the father and the civil authority. Had he dealt with Amnon, Absalom could have been restored, the nation spared from being torn apart, and lives spared. Then, Absalom’s hate. All affected many others.
Paul addressed the issue of excessive tolerance in the body in 1 Corinthians 5 and 6. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul addressed the issue of sexual immorality and in verse 2 said, “And you are puffed up!”
Over what? Their claim of tolerance! He goes on to admonish them, and in verses 6-7, he said, “Your boasting is not good.” He continued his discourse and reminded them that their tolerance among those claiming to be followers of Christ was destructive and an insult to Christ and His sacrifice.
However, we must be cautious about becoming God’s fruit inspectors and going after everything and everyone we deem unacceptable. 1 Corinthians 4, reflecting on Chapter 3, Paul said, “Therefore do not judge anything before the time…” Simply, let God be the judge of motives. You deal with actions!
If we turn a blind eye to sin in the church, especially sexual sin, we not only insult God, but we also damage the testimony of Christ and become stumbling blocks for the lost.
I am not suggesting that we go on a witch hunt and become, in our minds, God’s sin busters! NO! We deal with sin according to the Word of God with the goal of restoration in mind.
We have a world to reach, and if we allow blatant sin to thrive unchecked in the church, we destroy the church’s testimony and message. If sexual sin is tolerated, what can be judged? Then the church loses credibility and becomes an “anything goes” place with no consequences for actions.
1 Corinthians 6:9 – “Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” In the context of the preceding verses, this focuses on sin in the church.
We want God’s power, and He wants purity. Power without purity of heart results in tyranny.
Lord, help us to be pure and surrender our entire being to You.
