Whatever It Takes

2 Samuel 12:7-15

Whatever it takes. That was the internal “round the troops” slogan of the old website company I used to work for. As we were defining our identity, we knew we wanted to be the best representation of our clients online. That, I believe, still defines the company – “whatever it takes to be you – online.” That was our attitude, our rallying cry as a team. That identity sustained us through bad clients, lean times, and big challenges. And it’s the same rallying cry that keeps the love of God pouring over humanity today.

As we celebrate the final week of advent, the focus is on love. The love that God poured out on us by sending Jesus to be our King from the manger. The anticipation is at its most intense point now – the day is close – and we are all excited. I wonder how God saw that – the final days before Jesus was born and the plan that would end with bloody wounds on the cross was in full swing. Whatever it takes; no sin was too egregious, no situation too icky for God to step in and cleanse with His blood. Just consider David.

This is quite a sticky situation. There is nothing loveable about David’s sin with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11: David skipping out on kingly responsibilities, lust, immorality, conspiracy, murder, and polygamy. One of the mightiest heroes of scripture has what can only be described as one of the ugliest chapters in the Bible. He does everything wrong as he is fully and completely overtaken by sinful desires. There is no other word; it’s just ugly. Yet God didn’t destroy him. God loved him; no matter what.

Love Will Confront

Let’s take a look at the confrontation to get a clearer picture of God’s love. My dad once had to step in front of my grandfather to confront and protect my mom against her dad in a drunken rage. Dad did it in a way that allowed continued relationship and love as my grandfather dealt with his drinking and worked towards healing. That’s not an easy memory to discuss, but it’s those memories that show me how powerful love really is. Real love will stand up to an offender in the most difficult of situations and be honest, truthful, direct, and loving. This is the very point of interventions for addicts. By confronting the individual in a way that doesn’t shame, but shares the pain caused by their actions, love is given the space to confront and open the door towards healing. Nathan, when he confronted David (which was incredibly thought through and planned with his story—a brilliant example of HOW to confront properly) stood up to a much more powerful man, the king, and brought love through direct confrontation. How scared must he have been? David held fear, love, and respect by all; Nathan’s courage to confront him was true love, through and through.

Love Will Discipline

Nathan wasn’t the only one who loved David – so did God. You see it in the discipline. Prov 13:24 says that he who spares the rod hates his son. Discipline is not punishment but is love and grace because it is all about building someone towards positive growth. Yet imagine the pain felt in handing out David’s discipline. Declaring the death of that child must have absolutely ripped Nathan apart. This is, without question, the worst part of parenting—tough love. Hefty discipline usually leaves me wrecked for the rest of the day. It destroys you as a parent; whether you have to spank a child or remove them from an activity in which they are so excited about – love is a willingness to do what’s necessary even if it hurts in the moment.

Love Will Forgive

Ultimately, as shown by David and Bathsheba’s inclusion in the lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1:6, we see that love is willing to cover any wrongdoing through the grace that is forgiveness. God confronted the sin in us with directness, but also completely in love. He knew we had to make it right and He knew we couldn’t do that, so He took it on Himself, paid our penalty and our discipline – love most pure. Whatever it took, nothing would stop Him from forgiving us.

Next Steps

I often remember my time at the web company when I am going through a situation I really don’t want to face. The reminder to stick it through, whatever it takes puts my mind back on the path that keeps going; never gives up. That’s the path of love; of Christ. Jesus never gives up on us, whatever it took to cleanse us with His blood. Love like Christ.

1. Submit to Christ as your Savior and Lord – love in response is obedience to His leadership (John 15).
2. Step into the hard situations and confront with God’s grace.
3. Forgive and forget – truly let go of someone’s misdeeds – maybe write down their sin and then rip it up or burn that sheet of paper. Practice full forgiveness.

My parents once confronted me in front of my aunts and uncles because I was denying my health needs. It was horrible, embarrassing, but I think of that now whenever I remember the love I’ve been given. It was horrible, but the best love they could give. Be courageous enough to love like that. Whatever it takes.