How far reaching is your influence?

2 Samuel 12:13-14Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die."

Wow! What a clear picture of repenting, grace and forgiveness. God forgave Davids’s sin, but just like in our case, there is no forgiveness of sin, without the shedding of blood. And as a precursor to Jesus, David’s firstborn son would die! Once Nathan had pointed out the hypocrisy to David via the parable….he repented. He didn’t make excuses, he didn’t pull rank, he didn’t cast blame….he owned it.

The key thing that I found in this passage, was that the adultery and the murder, were great sins (but I will submit secondary) and maybe these sins could require a burnt offering (maybe a HUGE one) …..but the sin that God judged David for….the one that caused the death of his son was the fact that David’s sin caused others to stumble. “but by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt” I like this translation better;
“However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.”
His sin caused unbelievers (enemies of the Lord) to question God’s authority in choosing David’s selection as king. This may even be the cause of the Israelites not coming to faith in Christ.
So again, I believe we should always be aware of our influence to, not only believers, but non-believers as well. I believe we will be held accountable, even more strictly and a higher standard in this realm.