Location Location Location
By Kurt Bomar
Avery County
These are the three most important rules in real estate transactions, but they are important in our spiritual life too.
2 Sam.22:21-22 says: “The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I am not guilty of turning from my God.”
These words were written by King David. It sounds like he feels pretty good about himself. You’re probably thinking he must have written these words before his adultery/murder episode with Bathsheeba and Uriah, right? Wrong!
How can he say this then? It’s really simple. It’s not about the timing (before or after sin). It’s about the location.
When we are in the presence of our enemies (as David was here), we have the right to declare our righteousness. We can tell our enemies, and Satan, “Get away from me, the word of God tells me I righteous in the eyes of God because of Christ Jesus” (2 Cor. 5:21). Satan’s favorite weapon is condemnation.
When we are in the presence of a Holy God, however, we rightfully realize how sinful we are. Consider Psalm 38:
1. “LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. 3 Because of your wrath, there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. 4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear… 18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin… 22 Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.”
And Psalm 51:
“When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”
You see, David wasn’t ignoring his sin but put another way, he would say: When I am in the presence of my enemies, I see myself through the cross. When I stand before the cross, I just see myself.
It’s all about our location.
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Kurt Bomar is pastor of Walnut Grove Church located in Avery County. You are welcome to join them on Sundays at 11:00 AM for worship! (When we are allowed to meet in the building again)
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