Text: Numbers 32:23
We all make mistakes. Our mistakes range from very serious life or death situations to simply stupid things that sometimes give us a good laugh. But there is one mistake many of us make and sadly often repeat. That mistake is thinking we can get away with sin. Our text is found in Numbers 32:23 where Moses wrote: “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.” The context is where Moses was giving the people of Israel instruction from God as they prepared for battle before entering the Promised Land. It was a warning that if they didn’t follow the instructions as God had given them, they would be sinning against God. If they did that, there was no way they could hide from God.
This warning from Moses didn’t just apply to the ancient Israelites as they prepared for battle. The truth is, no one – believers and non-believers since the beginning of mankind can hide their sin from God and end up a winner. Sin affects every person’s relationship with God. But sadly, most people in this world could care less about that.
We were created for fellowship with God. We know this because we know from Genesis that Adam and Eve had a daily active relationship with God until they ignored His instruction and chose instead to believe what Satan had told them. This resulted in them to eat the forbidden fruit. That sin is what ended the open fellowship with God for all of mankind because sin had now entered the world.
In Old Testament times God’s people symbolically transferred their sins to an animal which they would sacrifice. The animal died to pay for their sins and allow them to continue living in God’s favor. The animal’s blood became a substitute for the life of the people and God graciously forgave them because they obeyed His commandments. But those sacrifices had to be repeated regularly because of the ongoing sin that needed to be addressed. This was the foreshadow of the coming of Jesus who would shed of His blood on the Cross once and for all. John tells us in John 1:29 that Jesus, the Lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world. This is why we no longer sacrifice animals to forgive our sins.
Sin affects everyone. David reminds us in Psalm 32:3-4 that when we ignore or try to hide our sin, we become anxious and can’t find peace in our lives. David goes on to explain in Psalm 51:8-12 that the separation from God caused by sin robs us of the joy of the Lord. Then in Psalm 68:18 he tells us that its sin that keeps our prayers from being answered. So clearly, unconfessed sin seriously hurts our relationship with God and the only way for anyone to be free of sin’s consequences is accepting the atoning work of Jesus on the Cross and allowing Him into our heart and life to guide us against the damage sin causes in our life.
Paul tells us in Romans 14:7 that we never suffer the effects of sin alone because none of us live or die by ourselves. Most importantly, our loved ones will suffer because of our sin. The sins of Adam and Eve affected all their descendants - including you and me. David’s sin caused the death of his child as we see in II Samual 12:14. Children are affected by the sins of their parents, parents are affected by the sins of their children, and husbands and wives are affected by the sins of their spouses. Sin can also affect us physically. We learn in I Corinthians 11:30 that some at Corinth became sick and some died because of sin.
Hebrews chapter 12 reminds us that sin brings punishment from God. God disciplines us for our unconfessed sins. When that happens, we make a choice in how we respond to His discipline. We can accept it with resignation and ask forgiveness; accept it with self-pity because we believe we don’t deserve the discipline; become angry and resentful toward God; or we can accept it graciously, letting it accomplish its purpose and work harder to live our lives better.
Galatians 6:7-8 show us that it’s a natural law to we reap what we sow. We don’t plant corn expecting to see pumpkins grow. We expect to see corn. This principle is true in other areas of our lives as well. If we gossip about our friends, we may discover them gossiping about us and find ourselves surrounded by other selfish people. Everything we do in life has results. If we plant to please our own desires, we will reap a crop of sorrow and evil. If we plant to please God, we will reap a life of joy and go on to everlasting life in Heaven. It’s all determined by the seeds we choose to sow in our earthly life.
Sin will affect every believer and non-believer for eternity. Last week we talked about the rewards Christians can expect when they stand in judgement before Jesus. Paul tells us in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord. Every unbeliever will also have to face judgment as we see Hebrews 9:27. God’s judgment doesn’t worry most people today because they don’t believe that it will ever happen. But the Bible makes it clear that everyone will stand before Him to give an accounting for how they lived their lives. So all of us need to ask ourselves if we’re looking forward to the return of Jesus with a clear heart or are we afraid of it because of unconfessed or repeated sins. Just as sure as death itself, judgment is waiting everyone. No one can escape that moment.
God’s judgment is final and will have no higher court of appeal should the verdict not be to our liking. If we want a favorable decision in God’s court we must put our hope and trust entirely in the hands of Jesus. Pray today – now, if you haven’t before – for the freedom and pardon Jesus has won for you. Then be happy that God’s judgment of you will be based on the perfect life of His Son Jesus, who will stand in your place. Never be afraid to tell others how they also can find God’s mercy through Jesus. We can’t make them choose Jesus but we can light a spark that has the ability to grow so they too can choose Jesus over Satan.
Becoming a Christian isn’t all doom and gloom. I John 1:7-9 reminds us that if we walk in God’s light we have fellowship with God and each other because of the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin. I Corinthians 15:3-4 is a reminder that Jesus died for our sins. And Romans 5:1 tells us when we receive Christ by faith, we’re justified, meaning our sins are forgiven, the debt has been paid, and returned to the family of God free from sin and equal heirs with Jesus to all God has. We can live an abundant life as we’re told in John 10:10. We can expect daily victories as we fight against sin in our lives and in the world as Paul tells us in I Corinthians 15:57. Don’t wait any longer to ask Jesus into your heart. Jesus is the answer to a peaceful earthly life and a glorious future.
Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.