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Thanksgiving is a present state that draws upon past events.  In remembering past acts of God, Christians pledge to be faithful partners with God in the covenantal relationship in the present. Faithfulness to God (keeping covenant with God) is tied to thanksgiving. Thanksgiving grows out of a consideration of how God’s grace has impacted our lives and transformed them.  God’s grace is a continual flow of His goodness toward His people.  Thanksgiving is also continuous from our hearts to God.  Thanksgiving is a response of the human heart to God’s infinite goodness.
The Past–Our Redemption
First, consider God’s part in our redemption.  “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight” (Col. 1:21-22). We were at one time alienated from God due to our sins.  Yet, now, He hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ.  The past regarding our redemption involves everything that God has done to save us.  Before the world began, God purposed our salvation by Jesus Christ and in one body (Eph. 2:16; 3:10-11).  The eternal purpose of God was foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament who gave us over 300 Messianic prophecies that were to be fulfilled in the details of the life and death of Jesus.  Jesus came into the world as the result of a miraculous conception which led to His birth in Bethlehem of Judea.  Jesus’ personal and public ministry began when He was of the age of thirty and was inaugurated by His baptism in the Jordan River by John the baptist.  He taught as no one had ever taught before.  He performed innumerable miracles.  He exemplified the perfect human life. He was crucified, buried and rose again the third day.  On the cross, He shed His blood for the atonement of the sins of human beings.  God loved us and gave us the best of heaven (John 3:16).  God’s grace was manifested in an unspeakable gift (II Cor. 9:15).  His love, mercy and grace made our redemption possible.
Second, consider our faith and obedience to His commands.  When we obey the gospel (Rom. 10:16; II Thess. 1:7-9; Heb. 5:8-9), we are changed.  We are saved.  When we obey the command to repent, we change our hearts and turn away from sin to God.  When we are baptized (immersed in water) into Christ, we are forgiven of our sins by the precious blood of Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-41; Gal. 3:26-29).  When we obey the gospel, Jesus adds us to His church and we become children of God.  We are reconciled to God.  We are blessed by appropriating God’s grace and standing in His grace.  We must never forget the day of our salvation.  We must never forget the spiritual blessings that have continued to flow to us since that sacred moment.  This reflection upon past events, God’ saving acts and our obedience to the gospel, produces a life of thanksgiving.
The Present–Our Lives in Christ
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Col 2:6-7).  Your past is affecting your present.  Your past redemption affects your present state of thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is not something we do once in a while.  It is a fundamental way of being.  It is a state of being and not just an isolated act accomplished once a year or even several times in a year.  We must abound in thanksgiving as part of “walking in him.”  God has given us an abundance of blessings: abundant hope (Rom. 15:13); abundant comfort (II Cor. 1:5); abundant grace (II Cor. 4:15); and abundant love (Phil. 1:9; I Thess. 3:13; Rom. 5:8-9).  Generous abundance of these spiritual blessings from God produces a heart continually overflowing with thanksgiving.  To live in Him, i.e. Jesus Christ, is to live in holiness.  We are called to holiness through the gospel (I Thess. 4:7) and we imitate God who is holy (Eph. 5:1; I Pet. 1:15-16).  Holiness is tied to thanksgiving.  To live life in the Lord, we must live a life worthy of the calling given to us by Jesus.  We must be worthy of His name by which we are called (Christians).  We must live a life that pleases Him in all things. This involves:  bearing fruit, growing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened, and giving thanks.  To “walk in him” is to “live a life of fullness of consecration to God.” Being (who we are) precedes doing (acts of obedience or faithfulness (keeping covenant).  Our entire life is characterized by oneness with Jesus Christ.  Christianity is something you are and not merely something you do from time to time.  Thanksgiving is an integral part of the Christian life.  Our connection to the past (God’s saving acts and our obedience to the gospel) produces a life of thanksgiving.  The infinite supply of God’s grace to us motivates a continuous flow of gratitude to Him.  Therefore, we live in holiness and overflow with thanksgiving.  Sin against God is the height of ingratitude.  Sin against God makes a mockery of our redemption.  Sin against God involves a breach in the sacred memory of God’s saving acts.  In redemption, we are transformed to live lives that honor and glorify God.  The present life we live in Christ has been made possible by past acts of God whereby we appropriate His grace to ourselves when we obey His commandments.  This past event connects to our present in holiness and thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not something we do once in a while, it is a way of life. It is a state of being that results from being blessed by God’s infinite goodness.

Paul writes, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:  for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal. 3:13-14).
The Curse
“Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” is a quotation from Deuteronomy 21:23.  Moses wrote, “And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day: (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defied, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance” (Deut. 21:22-23).  The rebellious son was to be stoned (Deut. 21:18-21), but, if the one who had committed sin worthy of death were hanged on a tree, he is especially loathed.  Thus the saying attached to the Jewish mind a particular loathing to the person so condemned.  Death by stoning was the most common way that the Jews carried out capital punishment.  However, there were a few instances, where they would hang a condemned person on a tree.  These rarer cases, brought with them an intense feeling of reprehension and aversion.  When the Jews cried out for Jesus to be crucified, they were intending to brand Him with contempt which would achieve an intensity so great that no man would ever desire to confess Him!
The Blessing
When Jesus died on the cross (tree), He bore our sins and suffered the reproach and the penalty that rightly belongs to each of us.  We are guilty of sin.  Jesus never sinned!  However, “…he made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Cor. 5:21).  When Jesus died on the cross, He shed His blood and made atonement for sin.  Thus, He became a substitutionary sacrifice to secure atonement for our sins.  Through the power of His blood, we can be forgiven of sins.  In His death, Jesus accomplished the blessing of Abraham.  Now, through Christ, all nations of the world will be blessed (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:16). Jesus is the promised seed of Abraham and He is the Messiah (deliverer).  All people have their hope in Him because only in Him can we be redeemed.  Through Jesus Christ, we can become the children of God.  “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:26-29).  A prerequisite to baptism is that we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus.  “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:8-10).  Thus, every person who becomes a New Testament Christian confesses Jesus Christ and thwarts the intent of the unbelieving Jews who had Him crucified by shouting, “Crucify him, crucify him.”  The blessing of Abraham arises out of the curse!  All who would be saved from the wrath of God gladly confess Him as their Savior and Lord.

Can love express itself in a rebuke?  In John 13:1, Jesus expresses His love for all of His disciples.  In Matt. 16:21-23, Jesus rebukes Peter.  The answer to our question is, “yes!”  A rebuke is a verbal correction.  Whenever a person’s thinking is not in harmony with God’s thoughts, purposes and will, there is a need for correction.  A rebuke is an attempt to bring a person’s thinking into to harmony with God’s thoughts.  Truth by its very nature is corrective of error. The desire to have individuals walk in truth is an act of love.  The key to success in giving a rebuke is when love prevails in the heart of the one administering the rebuke and love prevails in the heart of the one being rebuked.  As noted above, Jesus loves Peter.  Peter also loves Jesus (John 21:15-19).  The rebuke will bear fruit when love is present in the hearts of all involved.
The Prophecy (Matt. 16:21).
Through the suffering of Jesus before and during the crucifixion, salvation would be provided for all people.  Suffering will provide divine atonement for sin.  Jesus affirmed that He would “suffer many things.”  He suffered mockery, ridicule, humiliation, beating, excruciating pain and death.  In Isaiah 53, the prophet predicts the suffering of the Servant of God who would consequently provide spiritual healing, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (v. 5).  Truly, Jesus suffered in our place and on our behalf.  Jesus’ suffering provided for our forgiveness of sin (expiation) and appeasement of God’s wrath (Rom. 5:8-9) thus justifying us and saving us.  His suffering was a free act of love and grace.  Jesus also affirmed that He would be killed (put to death) and that He would rise again the third day.  His suffering would be followed by His triumph over sin and death.  The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus are the heart of the Gospel of Christ (I Cor. 15:1-4).  They are also the hope of the world.
The Denial (Matt. 16:22).
Peter denies the truth expressed by the Lord, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”  Peter’s response indicated a “strong negation” of what Jesus had just stated.  Would God allow Jesus to suffer such degradation?  The thought seems incongruous to Peter.  Peter makes an emotional response to the Lord’s words instead of receiving them by faith.  Perhaps he considered that Jesus’ statement contradicted the fact that He was the Messiah and the Son of God which he had earlier confessed (Matt. 16:16-18).  Peter also seems to miss the triumph that Jesus would have over death–namely, His resurrection from the dead.
The Rebuke (Matt. 16:23).
Jesus responds to Peter’s words with a strong rebuke, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”  The use of the term, Satan, indicates that Jesus recognizes that Peter had become an adversary to Him.  Peter’s denial of the prophetic truth put him in the role of tempter.  He stands in the place of Satan as tempter to Jesus.  Peter’s role is now changed from being a great confessor of Jesus to being a great denier of Jesus.  Jesus demands distance, “get behind me” and shows that separation involves protection.  Jesus also said that Peter was a cause of stumbling to Him.  Peter’s denial of Jesus’ suffering and death and triumph over death was a stumbling block to the progress of redemption.  Peter’s thoughts are entirely on the human level.  What a contrast to his confession of Christ given earlier where Jesus recognized the source of the content of the confession as being from heaven (God the Father).  Peter does not savor the things that be of God at this time.  Peter failed to associate the words of Jesus with His mission–being the Messiah and providing atonement though the power of His blood.  Peter’s denial deserved rebuke.
The Lessons.
First, the rebuke was corrective.  The correction was needed to redirect Peter’s thoughts from the flesh to the spiritual things of God.  Love corrects.  Love chastens in a verbal correction.  Love rejoices in the truth.  If Jesus had said nothing to Peter, the denial would stand.
Second, the rebuke affirms and defends the truthfulness of the prophetic declaration concerning Jesus’ suffering, death and triumph over death.  Jesus will experience these things as a necessary part of the scheme of redemption.
Third, Peter’s denial attacks the integrity of Jesus.  Peter’s denial amounts to calling Jesus a liar which would contradict Peter’s own confession.  If Jesus is the Son of God, He would never tell a lie.  God cannot lie!  Peter needs to change.
Fourth, the rebuke reveals Christ’s character manifested in the relationship with Peter.  Plain speech tests loyalty and love in the relationship.  Jesus loved Peter and desired that he be led by heavenly purposes and plans and not merely emotional yearnings.  Yes, it would be painful for Peter to see Jesus suffer and die, but only through this experience could Jesus redeem people from sin.  Peter’s own salvation was involved.
Fifth, the rebuke warns the other disciples not to make the same mistake that Peter had just made.  Do not reject the truth, even though it is difficult to accept, because of human feelings.
Finally, the rebuke shows us that Jesus’ suffering was a necessary aspect of our salvation (Heb. 5:8-9).  “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all those that obey him.”   Through Jesus’ suffering and death, Satan, is defeated (Heb. 2:14) and we can have the spiritually optimal life now (John 10:10) and eternal life in the world to come (John 3:16).

In the previous blog post, the Black Lives Matter organization was exposed with regard to its basic tenets.  This organization is secular in origin, anti-Christian in many of its beliefs and lawless in actions and tactics.  It has produced violence, fear and intimidation in order to bring about perceived change.  Is this the best solution?  Is this organization the only solution?  Of course not!  There is a better way to change the hearts of men.  The spiritual solution is based upon the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16-17).  Before we can consider the solution to racism, we must first define it and, then, look to the gospel of Christ for the solution.
What Is Racism?
Racism is hatred in one’s heart for members of another race solely on the basis of the color of the skin of the people who make up that race, or, a combination of racial characteristics of the people that are despised.   It is prejudice and discrimination that one race holds toward another race.  Often, one group of people (race) feels superior to another group of people (race) and treats them with disdain and/or contempt.  Racism is a sin because it violates the Royal Law.  James states, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8).  If we fulfill the Royal Law, we will not show respect of persons.  That means that we will treat every person with fairness and justice.  We will love them which means that we will seek their highest good.  Jesus taught the Royal Law in Matthew 22:39.  He also taught that the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37-38).  If we fear God and love Him, we will keep His commandments. Love for neighbor depends upon our loving God first and foremost in our lives.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not teach individuals to love God and is destined to fail in bringing about change in the hearts of men with regard to racism.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not teach men to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13-14).  Since racism is a sin, the Black Lives Matter Organization does not have the remedy for this sin.  Only God does!  Hatred for another human being is a work of the flesh.  The apostle Paul lists seventeen sins in Galatians 5:19-21.  He states, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Hatred, along with all of the other sins mentioned in this passage of Scripture, will destroy peace and joy and will separate a person from God.
The Spiritual Solution To Racism
Since racism is a sin involving hatred, prejudice and respect of persons which violates the Royal Law given by the Lord Jesus Christ, it must be dealt with spiritually just like any other sin.  The gospel of Christ demands three things:  repentance, reconciliation to God and reformation of character.
The Call To Repentance
In Acts 17:30, Paul courageously called the people of Athens to repentance from idolatry and the sins associated with it.  He says, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.”  Repentance is a universal command given by God.  The call to repentance is an integral part of the gospel of Christ (Acts 2:38, 3:19).  Repentance involves turning away from sin and turning to God.  It is a determination in one’s heart to cease sinful attitudes and actions and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.  Repentance takes place in the hearts of people.  It is a human response to sin preceded by godly sorrow (II Cor. 7:10).  Sorrow for sin is generated in the human heart when we consider the enormous consequences of sin in our lives.  Sin leads to spiritual death and ultimate separation from God in everlasting punishment (Rom. 2:5-10; 6:23) .  Authentic conversion to Jesus Christ involves genuine repentance of sin.
Reconciliation To God
To be reconciled to God means that we become one with Him.  This spiritual union with Christ occurs when we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ from the heart (Rom. 6:16-18).  Only in Christ can we have freedom from sin!  The Black Lives Matter organization does not call people into covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.  Paul states, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28).  Notice the beauty of spiritual oneness that is in Christ Jesus.  Consider that one must be baptized (immersed) into Christ in order to enter the spiritual sphere where this oneness occurs.  When we are baptized into Christ, we are forgiven of our sins (Acts 2:38) and saved from the spiritual consequences of sin.  This change is a spiritual change involving a new status of sonship with God.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not and cannot offer this change.  This spiritual change places us into the kingdom of God where we glorify Him by emulating His Son–Jesus Christ.
Reformation of Life
When we are baptized into Christ, we put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).  To put on Christ means that we follow His teachings and His example.  We bear His name:  Christian.  We manifest His image to the world by conforming to His Will for our lives. The human mind and heart are truly transformed (changed) when we become His disciples.  We put off the old man of sin and put on the new man created in Christ Jesus unto good works.  “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24).  We stop lying and speak the truth.  We put away anger and wrath and replace them with kindness and tenderheartedness.  We stop stealing and work with our hands in honest employment.  We stop using corrupt communications and we speak words that will bless and edify (Eph. 4:24-32).  We truly become the children of light because we are committed to following the Light of the World (John 8:12).  This is the light that shines in the darkness and shows the pathway of righteousness to others.  This is the light that the world, which lies in darkness, needs so desperately now.  This is the solution to racism and any and every other sin.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not walk in the light as He is in the light.  This organization is in need of reformation itself.  Its members need to embrace the love of God shed abroad through Jesus Christ our Lord and repent of sin, be reconciled to God on the terms of the gospel of Christ and set out on a new course of life whereby they may glorify God.
The Answer to Racism
The answer to racism is authentic conversion to Jesus Christ upon the simple terms of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There is hope for change in America and the world because Jesus Christ is the savior of the world and the hope of the world!

Would you be willing to give your soul (be lost eternally) if it meant that your friends would be saved?  Only twice in the Scriptures do we have examples of men that said that they would be willing to be accursed from God in behalf of their brethren.
The First Example Is Moses
In Exodus 32:32, Moses is speaking to God and says, “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; And if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”  Moses expresses a desire for God to be merciful to His people.  Moses had compassion for the people of Israel even though they had committed a great sin–idolatry–against God.  Why intercede for them?  Why agonize over their sinful condition?  Why seek God’s mercy in their behalf instead of God’s judgment?  Moses was merciful.  Moses was in fact reflecting the heart of God.  God reveals Himself to Moses as a merciful God.  In Exodus 34:6-7, the Bible says, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, and forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the four generation.”  With this revelation, God imparts a new understanding of His heart to His people.  The lovingkindness of God is a golden thread that runs throughout the Old Testament and culminates in the sacrifice of Jesus for the sin of the world (John 1:29; John 3:16).  While God will punish the evildoer, He first extends mercy that leads to transformation of life.  If the people will repent of their sins, God will forgive them.  God plagued the people (Ex. 32:35) and three thousand died (Ex. 32:28).  God would not blot Moses out of His book of life in order to preserve the people.  He declares, “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Ex. 32:33). Moses’ intercession for the people was successful.  However, even Moses’ soul was not sufficient to redeem Israel.
The Second Example Is Paul
In Romans 9:3, Paul declares, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”  Paul expresses his love for his people.  His love for them produces an anguish in his heart for their salvation.  If Paul was accursed from Christ, would that save his people?  No.  Every person is individually accountable to God for his/her sin.  Paul’s love was not more potent than Christ’s.  Paul invokes a wish or desire.  He speaks a hyperbole to make a point.  His love for his people is real.  If one could sacrifice himself for the saving of his people Paul seems willing to do so, but even Paul knows that his sacrifice would not secure their salvation.  The exaggeration Paul made points to an even greater love already demonstrated.
The Greatest Example Is Jesus
In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  The greatest love known to man is the sacrifice of self in behalf of others.  Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).  Jesus died for those who were His enemies as well as His friends.  “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:8-9).  Divine love transcends human love and so attains to the greatest love that the world has ever known!  Christ’s love is superlative love! It is unsurpassable love!  It is incomprehensible love!  “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph. 3:19).  Moses’ offer and Paul’s desire pale in significance to the act of selflessness and sacrifice that Jesus demonstrated on the cross.  Moses’ offer to God was refused by God because it was not sufficient.  Paul’s offer expresses his ardent desire for the salvation of his people, but it, too, would not secure salvation.  Jesus’ sacrificial act is the only means sufficient to save men and women from the wrath of God.  The reason for this is that He is the Son of God and His blood is the only means of redemption.  Whenever we proclaim “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” we declare the love of God to all people. If you are waiting for a greater love than what Jesus has already shown, I’m afraid you will be disappointed and lost eternally.  Awake, thou that sleepest and open your eyes to the greatest love of all.

American writers Joshua Glenn and Rob Walker recently conducted an experiment that they called “Significant Objects.”  They bought worthless knickknacks at flea markets or antique stores, contacted a fiction writer to write a story about each object, and then resold the items on Ebay.  For example, an ugly plastic Russian doll, bought at a flea market for $3 was given to writer Doug Dorst.  Dorst wrote a story about a Russian woodcutter named Vralkomir who saved his village from freezing one winter by dancing on a pile of wood until it burst into flames.  The doll with the story sold on Ebay for $193.  In total, Glenn and Walker sold $128.74 worth of useless junk for $3,612.51.  The stories gave the objects a 2,706 percent increase in value (Popologetics, Ted Turnau, p. 11).
The power of a story is reinforced by the hymn, “Tell Me The Old, Old Story.”  This hymn was written by A. Katherine Hankey, of London, in 1866.  It has been translated into many different languages and has been set to different tunes.  Dr. W. Howard Doane (1832-1915) has this to say regarding the music by which it has become popular and the occasion on which he composed it: “In 1867 I was attending the International Convention of the Young Men’s Christian Association, in Montreal.  Among those present was Major-General Russell, then in command of the English force during the Fenian excitement.  He arose in the meeting and recited the words of this song from a sheet of foolscap paper–tears streaming down his bronzed cheeks as he read.  I wrote the music for the song one hot afternoon while on the stage-coach between the Glen Falls House and the Crawford House in the White Mountains.  That evening we sung it in the parlors of the hotel.”

The words to this hymn are:
Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.

Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;
Remember I’m the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be,
In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear
That this world’s empty glory is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world’s glory is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: “Christ Jesus makes thee whole.”

Refrain
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

The content of this story consists of heavenly things.  It is about Jesus and His glory and Jesus and His love.  It is the story of man’s redemption and salvation through a selfless savior.  The content of this story makes it priceless and brings hope and healing to struggling souls.
The presentation of this story is part of the “telling.”  Present it simply “as to a little child.”  Present it slowly “that I may take it in.”  Present it softly, “with earnest tones and grave.”  Present it often, “for I forget so soon.”  Present it always, “if you would really be, in any time of trouble, a comforter to me.”
The story of man’s redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the greatest story ever told.
There is only one thing left and that is the reception of it and commitment to the savior by loving obedience to His holy will (Mark 16:15-16).

In II Samuel 12, one of the most dramatic moments in the life of David is revealed to us.  David is confronted by the prophet, Nathan, regarding his sin with Bathsheba.  David comes face to face with himself, with God’s judgment, with God’s grace and with God’s glory.
Face to Face With Yourself
Facing the truth about yourself is most troubling.  Many avoid it entirely.  The lies we tell ourselves are attempts to conceal the truth about ourselves.  Some questions we must consider are: “Who do you think you are?”  and “Who do you think God is?”  David was the champion of Israel, her greatest warrior, Israel’s most illustrious king, and author of many of the Psalms.  Yet, he was a sinner.  David’s fall began with an indecent thought about another man’s wife.  It grew with site of her unclothed (II Sam. 12:2-4) and it blossomed into lust that concluded in sexual sin.  It developed further in lies and murder.  His sin was accomplished “secretly” as far as men were concerned, but “openly” as far as God was concerned. Nathan was sent by God to confront David about his sin.  God knows all things including the secret things of man. Nathan tells a short story about a man who took another man’s only lamb.  David immediately perceives the injustice of the act and condemned it.  Then, Nathan tells David, “Thou art the man.”  This stunning revelation to David pierced through the lies David had told himself and exposed the truth about him.  This is strong medicine.  But, its design is to save the soul.  David confesses his sin (II Sam. 12:13, Psa. 51:4).  He comes face to face with the truth about himself.  Sin is a great leveler.  David now occupies common ground.  His need for redemption is shared with all others who have succombed to temptation’s power.
Face To Face With God’s Judgment
When Nathan delivers God’s message to David, it contains God’s judgment.  God, through Nathan, rehearses all of the blessings he had given to David.  God gave David everything he needed and more.  He said that, if that were not enough, He would have given him even more.  David’s sin involved ingratitude for all that God had given him.  David was not content.  He desired what God had forbidden. God’s justice rains down hard on David.  God said that the sword would never depart from David’s house.  He told David that He would raise  up adversity against him from his own house.  God would take his wives and give them to his neighbor before all Israel.  Finally, God told David that the child conceived with Bathsheba would die (II Sam. 12:14).
Face To Face With God’s Grace
David confessed his sin (II Sam. 12:13).  Honesty with self shatters pride.  He pleads for mercy, cleansing and grace (Psa. 51).  God answers his plea and pardons his sin (II Sam. 12:14).  God told David, “I have put away thy sin.  You will not die, but the child conceived between you and Bathsheba will die.”  All of the consequences of sin are not erased by God’s forgiveness.
Face to Face With God’s Glory
The Lord struck the child so that it became very ill (II Sam. 12:15).  David pleads for the child’s life.  He prays and fasts.  He lays prostrate on the ground all night.  On the seventh day, the child dies.  David arose, washed, anointed himself, changed his clothes and went to the house of the LORD and worshiped.  This moment deserves a long pause for thought.  While many curse God or attack God and turn away from Him after facing similar dilemmas, David in a moment of deep humility and profound reverence, enters into God’s presence and worships.  He enters into the presence of God and contemplates His glory.  There are times in the human experience, when we must let God be God!  David’s loss is great.  His heart is heavy.  His humility before God stays any anger and he quietly draws near to God.  In this act of deep devotion, he reveals his utter dependence upon God (II Sam. 12:16-23).  Here is the man later described as “a man after God’s own heart.”
Before the child died, David hoped in God’s providential will.  He states, “Who can tell whether the child may live?”  David knew God’s revealed will.  But, he hopes in God’s provdential will.  Once the child dies, David knows that God’s revealed will and His providential will are one.  There was no going back.  He must go forward.  Yet, he continues to hope in God’s revealed will–the resurrection of the dead.  David says, “he will not come to me, but I will go to him.”  All is resolved by absolute trust in God.
David’s Journey and Ours
Every person must come face to face with the truth about himself/herself.  Every person must come face to face with God and know His judgment, His grace and His glory.  This is the pathway of redemption.  Everyone who desires to see God and be with Him in eternity must walk it.