In Psalms, chapter ninety-nine, verse eight, God is capable of pardoning and punishing an individual together. We must distinguish between being restored in our relationship with God and still experiencing the consequences of sins committed.
David’s sin was forgiven by God, avoiding the death penalty and remittance of eternal punishment in First John three, verse fifteen. Therefore, David received restoration to salvation and fellowship with God, as in Psalms fifty-one. Despite this reputation of David, the blemish is forever, and the effects of his sin continue throughout his life and family history. David’s experience after being forgiven and restored is a sober lesson for those who casually treat sin as something God forgives and forgets.
As in First Chronicles twenty-one, verse eight, David confessed his sin, sincerely repented and was forgiven. Yet God carried out the temporal punishment upon him and the people. The fact that sin often receives divine punishment even after confession and forgiveness is a recurring Biblical principle. By causing his disobedient children to endure the temporal consequences of sin, God honors His law, upholds His authority, purifies His people, and shows Himself to be a righteous ruler.
The account of David’s sins and the consequent tragedies in his personal and family life serves as an example and warning for the New Testament believer, not just for the people of God. Therefore, saints of God should take every precaution not to desire evil things, act immorally, or try the Lord, as in First Corinthians ten, verses six through nine. David’s experience demonstrates how far people may fall when they turn away from God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Although David repented of his sins and received God’s forgiveness, the consequences of his sin did not go away. A believer may commit terrible sins and then go through godly sorrow and sincere repentance to receive God’s grace and forgiveness. Nevertheless, restoration in one’s relationship with God does not necessarily mean escape from temporal punishment or receiving deliverance from the consequences of specific sins.