Today as I read God’s Word, I was struck by an interesting thought. God gives instruction and says what should or shouldn’t be done. We understand that it is God revealing to us what we should or shouldn’t do. Now, over time, we stop doing what He said to do and we start doing what He said not to do. God rewards faithfulness and deals with disobedience.
Did God know we would do what He said, as well, as not do what He said? Yes, He is all-knowing, omniscient. He freely gave us the free will to make our own decisions. This is hard for many. God’s grace is God’s riches at Christ's expense and is how He reveals to us His love. Nothing we can do will make Him love us more, doing as He has instructed. Nothing we can do will make Him love us less, doing what He has said we shouldn’t do.
There are consequences to our actions. They exist not just in our relationship with God, they are evident in every aspect of life. Of late there is a phrase that comes around, just about every election cycle, that says ”elections have consequences“ and we can certainly see that today. I think it will be interesting to see as time goes on just how satisfied some are with the consequences of the election. Now that I have your attention let me say that not just elections, but everything has consequences. Eat too much and don’t take care of yourself and you will deal with the consequences of your health. Drive too fast on the road and the consequences of a speeding ticket are in your future. I think you are getting the idea.
We are all dealing with the consequences of sin. It started in the Garden of Eden but it has passed its way down to you and me. We are all affected by that sin Scripture notes “so easily besets us”. Don’t you just love the King James Version? You have probably heard this before but if not here it is-“sin will keep you longer than you want to stay, it will take you further than you want to go and so will cost you more than you ever wanted to pay”.
So then why sin? Your answer will be because I just can’t help myself. In many ways, that is true but certainly not completely. We can do the right thing and not sin but when we don‘t there are consequences. For King David, it started when he wasn’t where he was supposed to be. So he was doing what he shouldn’t have done. Then instead of acknowledging his sin and repenting, he went to the next step. Adultery, that led to lying, then having an innocent man murdered. All of this would lead to a baby having to die. His sin was progressive and it could have stopped at any point but one sin led to another and they all had their consequences.
So where are you today? Are you caught in progressive sin that you just keep doing more and more? Going further and further away from God? As a believer, it is time to stop and repent. Acknowledge your sin and ask the Lord to forgive your sin. David did just that and God forgave Him and God will do the same for you. Remember David’s words in front of Nathan the Prophet as he spoke unto the Lord-
Psalm 51:1-4
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
A lesson I have learned in life, and hope that you have too, is that first we will sin. That we must attempt not to sin but know when we do we must repent of our sin and confess it before the Lord. So that, as Scripture just told us, God be “justified in your (His) words and blameless in your (His) judgment.”
Confession, repentance, and God’s acceptance of our confessions and repentance are all a part of life daily.
A thought to ponder,
Elbert Nasworthy
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