Dealing with Sin

Verse of the day: Exodus 32:26, 28, 35 then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. 28 So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day. 35 So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made.

We see several things in today’s reading. First, as we pointed out yesterday, Moses publicly calls out those who sinned against God, as their sin was very public. There will be times when we have to deal with sin in the way that God exposes it. In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus gave instructions on how to deal with a sinning Christian. The process is quite simple as it calls for us to deal with someone one-on-one. If that person does not repent, then we are to bring one or two more with us. If he/she yet refuses to repent, you bring them before the congregation. The Scripture is clear that our responsibility in dealing with someone who sins against us is to first deal with it privately. We must do all we can to resolve the issue privately, and put it away. Once that happens, we are not to tell others about it, as now we sin by turning it into gossip. 1 Peter 4:8 tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. This does not mean that we do not hold others accountable for sinning, or that we are not accountable for our sins. However, if we are able to resolve an issue, bring a brother/sister to repentance and confession, we must then forgive, keeping the situation private, between us, the offending party, and the Lord, and move on. Our attitude in approaching, and resolving, a sin issue, is outlined for us in Galatians 6:1-3, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” In other words, we are to reflect on our own sinfulness and undeserving favor with the LORD, and then approach with humility, not thinking more of ourselves than we should. Only then, will we be able to go into the situation with a heart of reconciliation, looking to help that brother/sister come back into fellowship with the LORD and other believers. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 tells us, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” Moses clearly, and publicly, calls these people out for what they did, which in this instance was completely appropriate. What we see next is the price paid for a refusal to repent and how God justly allowed three thousand to perish on that day for their rebellion. So it will be with those who rebel against God, refusing to repent, and rejecting the salvation that can only be found and obtained in Christ Jesus alone (John 3:18; Romans 6:23). Finally, along with God’s justice, we see God’s grace. In verse 33, we see that God would not be moved in respect to those who perished, because of their idolatry. However, we see His grace in how He dealt with the remaining people. Although they were spared, they were still punished for their sin. God chose to allow them to suffer a plague as their consequence, rather than blot out their names from His book. How much more, when we read this, should we be thankful, and praise God, for sending Jesus to pay the price for our sins. Think about this for a moment; we see a picture here of how the Law, and Moses’ intercession, was not enough to give the people complete forgiveness from what they did. While God chose to forgive some, with the consequence of being plagued, He chose to allow the others to perish and have their names blotted out, which was completely just on His part (v. 33). The Scripture tells us that for us, there is no condemnation, if we are found in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1). As born again believers, we must do all we can to avoid being pulled back into a life of sin. A true believer will not live sinfully as a way of life. However, we are not exempt from stumbling. Therefore, God has provided for us how we can restore one another with a heart of love and forgiveness. Let us not be like the Pharisee, in Luke 18:9-14, who exalted himself before God, judging and putting down the tax collector. The tax collector, on the other hand, humbled himself and confessed he was a sinner, asking for mercy. Jesus said that this tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified, or declared not guilty. Dealing with sin is a part of the Christian life. Let us not be Pharisaical in our approach, but be more like Jesus, in how He dealt with sinners, bringing them closer to Himself, for their good and God’s glory.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).