The Seriousness of Sin
Reflections from Personal Time in the Scriptures
Abby and I this year decided to jump onto the “Bible Recap” train. It has been so good for us as a family unit to have a plan made for us, something we discuss, and hold each other accountable to. We wrap up the book of Numbers this week. I have read through the Old Testament several times, and usually my puny human perspective feels discomfort with God’s severity at times. The world will try to affirm this sense of discomfort and challenge us to believe that God is cruel and harsh in his judgement. We know this couldn’t be further from the truth!
The Lord has helped me to see Him more clearly now. Rather than feeling the temptation to question the severity of God’s judgement against sin, I have marveled in humility and gratitude at the seriousness in which God takes sin. What has made the difference? There are a couple truths about God’s heart that have been made so clear at the same time through these first few months in the Scriptures.
First and foremost, God’s ultimate desire to be near to us and us to be near to Him does not change even in our rebellion and sin. The very place where the Israelites act like fools in the wilderness is the place where the LORD gives Moses instructions for the Tabernacle, the place for his manifest presence to be among them.
“I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by my glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. And they will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.” (Exodus 29:43–46)
Second, God’s call for the sacrificial system deals with our sin in order for us to be able to draw near to Him and Him to us. Towards the end of Leviticus, after setting before the Israelites the sacrifice system and holiness code, He gives them some assurance if they will walk in obedience to it and warnings of what will happen when they don’t. See God’s heart in this!
“I will place my residence among you, and I will not reject you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, so that you would no longer be their slaves. I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to live in freedom.” (Leviticus 26:11-13)
When I think of the seriousness in which God takes sin while also seeing the extent that God goes to make it possible for us to be near to Him and Him near to us, I see so much more clearly why He takes it so seriously. It keeps the God who desires to draw near to us far away!
What is the LORD teaching you in the Word? I’d love to hear! Love you, church!
Pastor John
