David's Adultery.

7. David's Adultery. In 1 Kings 8:16 b we find that God had chosen David to be king over the nation of Israel:

"...but I chose David to be over my people of Israel." This was God's choice for David. Let me ask this question, "Did God make David accept the kingship over the nation of Israel? No, that was David's choice to accept or reject. Was it God's choice for David to commit adultery with Bathsheba? Absolutely not! God judged that sin by taking their first son by death (2 Samuel 12:14).

You see, it was God's choice for David to be king over Israel, but David could have rejected God's will. It was not God's will for David to commit adultery and first degree murder, but David went against the will of God in committing these acts. In this we see the free will of David, which God extends to everyone. David went against the will of God at one time and fulfilled the will of God at another. In like manner the New Testament in Ephesians 4:11-12 reveals God's will:

"And he gave some, apostles, and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

We can see that God has called some to be pastors, evangelists, and some to be teachers.  He has called all Christians to edify the body of Christ; some with their voices, some with instruments, but all with the talents and abilities that God has given them.  The sad part about it is--that some Christians are not utilizing their abilities for Christ.  God will not make us do the service wherein He has called us.  We must submit out of our own free will.

I know pastors who have been called into the ministry and after being in the pastorate awhile, become discouraged.  Now they are no longer in the pastorate. Are the gifts of God without repentance?  No!

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." - Romans 11:29

No, God has not forsaken or changed His mind about our calling. If we have forsaken the calling of the Lord, is God responsible? No! The point we are making is, if God elected them to do that service and they possessed no free will, then they would still be in the pastorate as they would never have a desire to quit. Their free will would have been eradicated when they became saved and they would just go ahead and gladly do the will of God. You see, if election means God over-rides our free will, then no one would ever get out of the will of God. It is sad today as we see many Christians making the wrong decisions out of their free will.

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" - Romans 10:15 How is this accomplished? By doing so out of their own free will, motivated by love.