What David had that the other guy didn't

1 Samuel 24 and 1 Corinthians 5 give us a helpful comparison in our walk with God. Here is David's story, "Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 5 And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe." Here is the story of the church and a sinful man in 1 Corinthians 5, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn?"

Where David was convicted and repented concerning his sin the Corinthians were wallowing in their sin. This lack of concern for true spiritual things brought a sharp rebuke from the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul. This is where the church should come in. If an individual does not own up to and turn from his sin, like David did, it is the church's responsibility to follow up seeking repentance. If he does not repent he needs to be cast out of the church so that his flesh will be destroyed and his spirit saved. The sad truth is we would rather have people we know go to hell than confront them. To do nothing is to tell them, 'go to hell.'

Father, give us hearts that turn quickly from our sin. Make us like David. Give us a heart like David's. Let us not be like the church in Corinth. Make us a church full of Your people who love You, love holiness, and love each other. For far too long we have acted selfishly and cowardly. Change us through the blood of our Savior to be selfless and bold. May we truly love our neighbors with the tenacity by which we love ourselves. May we love Christ with the tenacity by which we love ourselves. Forgive us Father. Change us Father. Make us the Church.

For Christ
Amen