A HIGHER CODE (23 OF 52)
Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:2-11
This content is part of a series.
A Higher Code (23 of 52)
Series: Discipleship Part three
Christopher B. Harbin
2 Samuel 11:2-11
It is too easy to get comfortable with our ways and patterns of living. We learn norms and practices from society. We don't often stop to review those customs and standards, determining whether they are in concert with God's design and priorities. If we are not careful, we find take more cues from the lesser examples around us than from God's directions or the lives of saints in our midst. Instead of looking to status quo conduct patterns, can we seek out a higher code of conduct to follow? After all, we are called to live according to the higher code and standards of faithfulness we find in Christ.
King Saul was a poor model of righteous service to God. David was a huge improvement upon Saul, but David was not perfect. We are familiar with the story of David's abuse of Bathsheba, but we often stop far short of understanding just how far the text goes in calling David out on his excesses. The story is not just about David's infidelity and abuse of power. It is not just about David murdering Uriah to evade responsibility for his act of adultery. There is much more to the story at hand.
We are wont to pretend our heroes are perfect models in all respects. We often highlight a verse describing David as a man after God's own heart, ignoring the rest of what we know about him. We are all too willing to gloss over that a single verse might be a little ''tongue-in-cheek.'' After all, no one is perfect, as Paul reminds us in Romans. Isaiah tells us our righteousness is no more than filthy rags. The Psalms are clear that no one can fulfill all God would require of us. David's rise to prominence was not the result of a life lived in complete sincerity and wholeness. He was a hero in many ways, but often as not, it was the people who surrounded David who would rise to the occasion a step ahead of the king.
Uriah was just one of those heroes. It is a little strange, ...
Series: Discipleship Part three
Christopher B. Harbin
2 Samuel 11:2-11
It is too easy to get comfortable with our ways and patterns of living. We learn norms and practices from society. We don't often stop to review those customs and standards, determining whether they are in concert with God's design and priorities. If we are not careful, we find take more cues from the lesser examples around us than from God's directions or the lives of saints in our midst. Instead of looking to status quo conduct patterns, can we seek out a higher code of conduct to follow? After all, we are called to live according to the higher code and standards of faithfulness we find in Christ.
King Saul was a poor model of righteous service to God. David was a huge improvement upon Saul, but David was not perfect. We are familiar with the story of David's abuse of Bathsheba, but we often stop far short of understanding just how far the text goes in calling David out on his excesses. The story is not just about David's infidelity and abuse of power. It is not just about David murdering Uriah to evade responsibility for his act of adultery. There is much more to the story at hand.
We are wont to pretend our heroes are perfect models in all respects. We often highlight a verse describing David as a man after God's own heart, ignoring the rest of what we know about him. We are all too willing to gloss over that a single verse might be a little ''tongue-in-cheek.'' After all, no one is perfect, as Paul reminds us in Romans. Isaiah tells us our righteousness is no more than filthy rags. The Psalms are clear that no one can fulfill all God would require of us. David's rise to prominence was not the result of a life lived in complete sincerity and wholeness. He was a hero in many ways, but often as not, it was the people who surrounded David who would rise to the occasion a step ahead of the king.
Uriah was just one of those heroes. It is a little strange, ...
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