today's meditation (Nm.15:27-36) Knowing and Obeying

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word...)

(Numbers 15:27-36)  ‘Also if one person sins unintentionally, then he shall offer a one year old female goat for a sin offering. 28 The priest shall make atonement before the Lord for the person who goes astray when he sins unintentionally, making atonement for him that he may be forgiven. 29 You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the alien who sojourns among them. 30 But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.’”

32 Now while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation; 34 and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him. 35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36 So all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Sin is sin, whether we realize something is sinful or not, and God takes it all very seriously.  As well, God's laws are for everyone.  All people will stand before God to give an account.  It doesn't matter who we are or what color our skin is.  Everyone has this decision to make:  do we become a believer, or do we not become a believer?  Do we choose God and His way, or not?

If someone chooses not to become a believer (which is blasphemy), then when they stand before God, they will be judged according to their sins... whether they realized they were sins or not.  And because they chose not to have God in their lives, they will go to the place where God is NOT present.  While they are still on earth, besides experiencing the consequences of sin, they also get to experience God's goodness, so that they can make an educated decision for their eternity.

When someone chooses to become a believer, all our sins are forgiven and God chooses to remember them no more.  So when we stand before God, believers will be judged on our good works, and rewarded for those done with pure motives.  While we are here on earth, we will still experience consequences of sin, but we will experience God's extra blessings!  

As we learn more about God and His word, we will be able to better recognize and avoid sin, which in turn helps us to pursue a fuller and deeper relationship with Him.  The surety of a perfect eternity, and the ability to lean on God's strength and guidance right now, is our greatest hope!  Therefore, we should desire to truly, fully rest in that hope, and gratefully maintain a close walk with Jesus, who made this all possible!