For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.  1 Peter 1:20-21

paper by Marta Designs, elements by Laitha, MaryPop, Mystique (retired)

And when He had removed him [Saul], He raised up David to be their king, of whom He testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’  Acts 13:22

King David was by no means perfect, but he repented when he sinned and God blessed and favored him for his pure, devoted heart.

kit: Shabby Romance by Kristmess Designs, butterfly mask by Christine Smith

I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.  2 Corinthians 12:21

Please understand that this letter was written to the CHURCH at Corinth. Paul had already told the BELIEVERS there to repent and some of them had not. (He was specifically discussing any sort of sexual impurity and immorality here, which was rampant and generally accepted by society then as it is now.) Unbelievers are in rebellion against God, therefore they cannot please Him in any way. (Hebrews 11:6) However, believers are supposed to BEHAVE like the redeemed children of God that they in fact are.

For more wisdom on this topic, we can read 1 John 3. If we claim to belong to God, then we need to walk the walk (in the Spirit). No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 It's not enough to know the right thing and not do it. (James 1:22)

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. ...And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:17-24, 30

God doesn't change with the times. Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Galatians 6:1

digital scrapbook kit by Marta van Eck