The Bible is rich with lessons, but one of the hardest to acknowledge, and then address, concerns confronting sin, and repentance. Whether sin is in the world, a congregation of God's people, or an individual, it must be addressed. Sin's consequences are eternal--damnation in hell! Where sin is concerned, Christians have a grave responsibility--confronting the sin, whether it is in our own lives or in the lives of others--regardless of the consequences. In this lesson, we are going to briefly examine, beginning with the OT, different sinners in different situations.

The Old Testament: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."(Romans 15:4) Let us learn.

1. David needed Nathan: (2 Samuel 12:1-14) David needed to be confronted with the sins he could hide from men, but not from God. Thus, God sent His prophet Nathan to expose what David desired to hide. Whether or not David knew it, he desperately needed Nathan.
   
   This principle is true for all people. We need to understand that "our sin will find us out" (Numbers 32:23) and that God sees and knows all. "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."(Hebrews 4:13)
   
   David responded in a manner that is sorely lacking in many people; he confessed his sin with an honest and good heart (vs.13). "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)
   
   
2. Naaman needed his servants: (2 Kings 5:9-14) Naaman wished to be cleansed of his leprosy. He was persuaded to seek help from Elisha, a man of God. Elisha sent word to Naaman, telling him exactly what he needed to do. However, Naaman thought (vs.11) he knew a better, more glamorous way to be cleansed, so he went away angry. Then his servants, with words of wisdom, caused him to reconsider his rash action. He needed to truly hear what they said, and he did. He was cleansed (vs.14). Naaman had an honest and good heart.
   
   People today need to hear the Gospel, spoken with words of wisdom, so that they may be cleansed from sin, whether by baptism, or by repentance. They need honest and good hearts. But many turn away in anger at the Word, though it be spoken in love (cf. Ephesians 4:15).
   
   "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." (Proverbs 27:5-6)
   
   
3. Jonah needed the whale: (Jonah 1) Jonah tried to hide from God and the duty with which God entrusted him, but as it was with David (and all of us), he found no place to hide. Sometimes, God uses the world's natural things--whether it is physical ailments or natural disasters--to awaken us. We need to examine ourselves and ask: "If I do not do what God expects of me, then who will do it for me?"
   
   "So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me... if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, ... his blood will I require at thine hand." (Ezekiel 33:7-19) This frightful warning is not exclusive to the OT. Read and consider 2 Timothy 4:1-2; Acts 20:26-27; and James 4:17.
   
   
4. The people needed Ezra: (Nehemiah 8:1-9) God's people needed to hear and understand His Law, and it is no different today. Sadly, even some of God's people lack the attitude exemplified in these precious souls (vs.3). These people wanted to hear the truth because their hearts were honest and good. Further, God's servants proclaimed ONLY the Word (cf. 2 Timothy 4:1-5). Without that word, their souls would have been lost. One could glean many lessons from them, but let us move on to the NT.
   
   

The New Testament: It is written, "All scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Let us then be instructed in righteousness.

1. The people needed John: (Luke 3:7-14) God's people were as lost sheep, and they desperately needed to repent and return to Him. Thus, God sent John, and those who had honest and good hearts responded to his call. "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him." (Luke 7:29-30)
   
   Ultimately, it is God who gives the increase. We need to be His faithful workers, as John was. "So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase... For we are labourers together with God." (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)
   
   
2. A king needed John: (Mark 6:14-20) No matter the consequences, we must speak truth, whether to a king or one who is destitute. John paid the ultimate price for confronting sin with truth. Would we be willing to do the same thing? That is not a question we can easily answer until it faces us, but keep in mind what Peter wrote, "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf ... Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a Faithful Creator." (1 Peter 4:16-19)
   
   
3. A church needed Paul: (1 Corinthians) The Christians in Corinth needed rebuke, reproof, and exhortation (cf. 2 Timothy 4:2). They needed to hear and understand God's Law; their souls were at stake. They truly needed Paul, and he was there for them. And for some of them, it was a wake-up call that produced salvation. Paul's purpose was "to make them sorry after a godly manner." (2 Corinthians 7:9)
   
   All congregations of God's people need someone like Paul, someone who is willing to proclaim the whole counsel of God, "in season, and out of season." What a tremendous blessing it is when the hearers have honest and good hearts.
   
   
4. Peter needed Paul: (Galatians 2:11-14) Peter needed to be confronted with his sin. And because of the sin's public nature, the confrontation needed to be public (vs.14). We can easily imagine that when Paul confronted Peter, he repented immediately. Peter had an honest and good heart. Remember an earlier time in his life when he was confronted. "And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said unto him, 'Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice.' And Peter went out, and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:61-62)
   
   

All of these men exercised tremendous influence, some for good, and some for evil. It is then important that we be aware of our own influence. Every person, whether a Christian or not, needs someone like Nathan, Ezra, John, or Paul. Can God count on us? In order to help others, when someone confronts us with our own sins, we must display good and honest hearts.

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2)