People really don’t want to let Josh Duggar off the hook for his past sins. What he did as a young teen was very wrong but, from what I know of it, I don’t think it should be called molestation. But it was still very wrong and his parents sought help for him, first with counseling and then with the police. They didn’t treat the situation lightly. Maybe they didn’t do enough but I’m sure at the time they thought Josh was fully repentant.
Fast forward a few years when Josh Duggar was in a leadership position. His sexual addiction proved to be too much for him and he either tried to have an adulterous affair or did have one or more. The details should stay between him, his wife, and God.
He resigned from the leadership position which was a sign of outward repentance. Then he checked into a long-term facility for his sexual addiction which was a sign of some inward repentance. Pride and ego won’t let a person do something like that unless they feel there is a real problem. During that process and after, I’m sure that there was also intense marital counseling for Josh and Anna. I don’t think that Anna would have stayed unless that had happened. More signs of inward repentance.
Of course, I don’t know all the details because it’s none of my business. But the news media places this story in all our faces when they refuse to let it go.
Josh and Anna Duggar recently welcomed their fifth child and it seems that true repentance and a loving and forgiving God have transformed a problem marriage into a redeemed one. And…I celebrate that!
King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his soldiers, Uriah. Bathsheba came up pregnant and David tried to hide his sin by bringing Uriah back from war so that he could sleep with his wife and the adultery would be hidden. Uriah said that it wouldn’t be right for him to do that while his men were fighting a battle so he went back to war. Out of fear, King David had Uriah moved to the very front lines of the battle where he was killed. King David tried to cover up the sin of adultery, first with a scheme and then with murder.
After some time, David’s servant and prophet, Nathan, confronted him with his wrongdoings. And…David finally repented completely. His heartfelt words are recorded in Psalm 51.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so, you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
True Christianity is not about people doing the right thing all the time.
True Christianity is about messing up, confessing sin, and then coming to true repentance.
Romans 3:23-24 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
And as Jesus wrote in the sand:
Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone (John 8:7).
The ability to repent at any time came about because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It fully paid for our sins and mistakes and paved the way for restoration and repentance.
Isn’t God’s love and grace miraculous?!
Thank you so much for posting this awesome word Jennifer. I think people need to search their hearts about their relationship with Jesus and stop casting so much judgement. We will all stand before Jesus some day and he will accept us or send us away because of our faithfulness to Him. It burdens my heart so much that people are not ready for the rapture. It may be soon but it may be later. The most important thing is asking for forgiveness of your sins and asking Jesus to forgive you. This is not a one time thing per say. We asking Him forgiveness often as we all sin. Josh did what some think is impardonable but he ask for forgiveness and Satan doesn’t like that so He sends situations that will show test just how strong your faith is. What matters is your relationship with Jesus and not man.
Thanks again Jennifer, keep your awesome words coming!!!