The Jesus Bible Reading PlanНамуна

THE CORROSIVE NATURE OF SIN

The story of Amnon and Tamar is the first in a trilogy of narratives (the other two relating to Absalom’s murder of Amnon and Absalom’s return from exile) that take the book of Samuel in a dark direction. They also correspond to David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah the Hittite. The nature of sin was on full display here, especially 2 Samuel 13:15, where the false promises of sin that fueled Amnon’s lust led him toward destruction. “He hated her more than he had loved her.” Here is a powerful description of the destructive nature of sin and the expected consequences when sin is brought into the light.

The question becomes how to overcome the power of sin that leads to death. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Ro 3:23). Sin is a human condition that is universal and terminal. But God provided Jesus, whose death accomplished the redemption of all who believe in him. Sin is corrosive, creating sorrow and bitterness that permeates all of life apart from the grace and redemption of God through Christ Jesus.

Jesus, your Word makes it clear that sin is a destructive, terminal human condition. But through you I can be made new, and I thank you for that. I ask you to transform me into someone you can use for good. Amen.