John Smithson wrote:
>Additionally, a comparison of Ps 7 complete with
>the arrogance of the self-righteous in stark contrast
>to the wording of one who is suddenly and completely
>humbled by the fact of sin in his life (Ps 51) and in the
>presense of a merciful God.
I believe there is an important distinction to be understood between the
concepts of arrogance and integrity. Psalm 7 conveys integrity, not
arrogance.
Apparently you missed my point altogether. KD writes before Nathan points the finger and says, "Thou art the man" in Ps 7. He not only gives request to the Lord to judge him (David) on the basis of his own righteousness -- a man who is guilty of one of the most involved and degenerate of crimes, but makes it clear that if he were to sin against a friend (think Uriah) it is his request that he be stomped into the ground !!! Stupid. When, in fact , he offers evil to his friend, when, in fact, he digs a pit and falls into it -- what is his request and attitude then? It certainly is not STOMP ME INTO THE GROUND, is it (anyone)? Rather, we find him begging for mercy. The point is there in black and white. David says one thing in Ps 7 and something very different in Ps 51.
Job's friends accused Job of arrogance, but God made it clear that Job kept
the integrity of his heart in saying that he had not sinned.
I do not see this as having any bearing on my comments, nor does it help me to understand the situation with KDavid.
It would be a sin for a man to say that he has sinned some unknown sin
somewhere when, in fact, he had not sinned. Do you agree with this point?
No I do not. I would say he was mistaken.
It also would be a sin for a man to declare that he will sin at some future
date when the Lord has promised to deliver him from every temptation known
to man.
Ahhhhhh, now I see where you are going with this. There is the promise and the reality. When we overcome sin, it is by the power of God. That is the fulfillment (in a sense) of the promise. But we can never say that we are without sin. That is a biblical concept and an absolute reality., as well.
God desires humility, not self-abasement. God desires sober thinking, not
sniveling cowering at his feet. God desires for us to stand up like men of
valor before him with a heart free of any consciousness of sin. Blessed is
the man who has found the remission of his sins in truth.
The remission of sins is found in the sacrifice of Christ. AND, it is a theme of sorts in your writing that we are to be real men, no room for the warm and fuzzies, no place for sniveling and cowering. There are times when I kneel during worship when everyone else is standing, tears come to my eyes on every occasion of worhsip, raised hands and honor are given without remorse. A few years ago, I absolutely could not do any of that. When I raised my boys, there was no home in Fresno more macho than ours. Wrestlers all -- and very good wrestlers, in fact. Me with a terrible temper. Not afraid of confrontation. On rare occasions -- still a problem. And in the evening, when it is all said and done, not proud of any aspect of that life as means for separation from my Lord.
Blessed is the
man who can stand before the Lord in prayer and say, "I will not sin against
you."
Such is my determination as well.
