Hosea 4:1b-3: "The LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: 'There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying.'"
There is no doubt that the global economy has been struggling over the past decade. Sustained market declines, failed corporations, increased unemployment, and mortgage foreclosures are mere symptoms of a deeper crisis that prevails in our nation. Whereas the government pumps money into the economy through its stimulus packages, these measures will never remedy our crisis; rather, it only sustains the system a little longer. Much like life support . . . it is not the cure!
From the above cited Biblical passage, we find that the LORD had removed His hand of blessing upon the Israelites for their perpetual rebellion against His Sovereign reign. Whereas God had promised that Israel would thrive as a nation if they only would follow Him as their Lord (see Deuteronomy 28:1-14), the Israelites of Hosea's day stubbornly refused to submit to God and His decrees. They had determined to live their own lives the way that they saw fit. They would not refuse to indulge in anything that their heart desired; and they shunned the Lord, daring Him to do anything about it. Rather than loving God, they loved themselves first. They cursed God and His decrees. They found that lying was expedient if it promoted their agendas. They were willing to take from others what they coveted . . . whether property, spouses, or even life itself. In effect, these people had made themselves into their own gods and sought to assert their own lordship over the One True God.
Of course, we see from this historical account the inevitable outcome. Due to their cosmic treason against the Lord, He in turn removed His hand of blessing from them. Everything in creation suffered because of the obstinacy of these wicked people. Their only hope would be repentance and surrender to the Lord.
Oh how we see similar tendencies within our own nation. People today are living very similar to the lifestyles of the Israelites 2800 years earlier. Since we know that God does not change (see James 1:17), we would do well to learn from these Israelites as to what we should not be doing if we desire God's blessings upon our nation. Rather than waiting for the debt-laden stimulus money from the government to rescue our abysmal economic circumstances, we should be on our knees asking God's forgiveness.
Sadly, if history repeats itself, then we will find our future to be rather bleak. Israel would not respond to the warnings of God through His prophets; therefore, the Lord brought a conquering nation (the Assyrians) to devastate the land of Israel in 722 B.C. It would take this level of punitive judgment from the Lord to get the Israelites' attention, and given our nation's similar ways of debauchery and rebellion, we should not expect anything less. God's extension of favor is with us now, so let us as a nation respond with repentance and obedience. This is the spiritual stimulus what will bring God's favor upon the land.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
You Can't Claim Ignorance When Sinning
Galatians 5:19-21: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
It seems that in our culture today, there are many who want to claim ignorance in matters of sinful behavior, or they will say that they could not help themselves while engaging in actions contrary to the will of God. One thing that we find in the above mentioned Scripture is that acts of the sinful nature are obvious. For the one who would challenge this Biblical truth, I would ask, "Why is it then that people attempt to hide their sinful actions? . . . Why are they subversive when perpetrating these sins? Why do they often engage in this activity in the dark? [See Jesus' response to this issue in John 3:20]. The answer can be found in the simple fact that God has created all men with a conscience that can recognize evil; the Holy Spirit also actively brings conviction to those walking in darkness so that they might respond with repentance (i.e. a turning from wickedness to obedience to the Lord). Thus, people cannot claim ignorance as an excuse to indulge their debased passions. They are guilty before the Lord and they know it.
Sadly, there are those who will perpetuate such wickedness to the point that their consciences are seared from the Lord's convicting Word of Truth. These are the people who brazenly celebrate their debauchery, though they never forget that such behavior is wrong and contrary to the expressed will of God. These are the people described in Job 15:25-26 who "shake their fist at God and vaunt themselves against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him . . ." Later in this chapter God decrees that such a person will not "escape the darkness . . . the breath of God's mouth will carry him away." God will not hold such a man guiltless for his treasonous behavior against His Lordship!
So, how should we respond to the Scripture cited above? We need to ever be conscious of any thoughts or behaviors that are contrary to God's decrees as expressed in His Holy Word. We need to be surrendered to the Lord and receptive to His word of admonishment when we engage in sin, and we must truly repent from such behavior. God will respond with forgiveness, and we will be blessed by finding His favior.
Let us not fall prey to the fallacious worldly notions that sin is beyond our awareness or ability to control. Let us respond to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit with contrition, confession, and repentance. By this, we bring glory to the One True Lord, which is our purpose in life!
It seems that in our culture today, there are many who want to claim ignorance in matters of sinful behavior, or they will say that they could not help themselves while engaging in actions contrary to the will of God. One thing that we find in the above mentioned Scripture is that acts of the sinful nature are obvious. For the one who would challenge this Biblical truth, I would ask, "Why is it then that people attempt to hide their sinful actions? . . . Why are they subversive when perpetrating these sins? Why do they often engage in this activity in the dark? [See Jesus' response to this issue in John 3:20]. The answer can be found in the simple fact that God has created all men with a conscience that can recognize evil; the Holy Spirit also actively brings conviction to those walking in darkness so that they might respond with repentance (i.e. a turning from wickedness to obedience to the Lord). Thus, people cannot claim ignorance as an excuse to indulge their debased passions. They are guilty before the Lord and they know it.
Sadly, there are those who will perpetuate such wickedness to the point that their consciences are seared from the Lord's convicting Word of Truth. These are the people who brazenly celebrate their debauchery, though they never forget that such behavior is wrong and contrary to the expressed will of God. These are the people described in Job 15:25-26 who "shake their fist at God and vaunt themselves against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him . . ." Later in this chapter God decrees that such a person will not "escape the darkness . . . the breath of God's mouth will carry him away." God will not hold such a man guiltless for his treasonous behavior against His Lordship!
So, how should we respond to the Scripture cited above? We need to ever be conscious of any thoughts or behaviors that are contrary to God's decrees as expressed in His Holy Word. We need to be surrendered to the Lord and receptive to His word of admonishment when we engage in sin, and we must truly repent from such behavior. God will respond with forgiveness, and we will be blessed by finding His favior.
Let us not fall prey to the fallacious worldly notions that sin is beyond our awareness or ability to control. Let us respond to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit with contrition, confession, and repentance. By this, we bring glory to the One True Lord, which is our purpose in life!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Belief in God Is Not Enough
I Corinthians 15:2: "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain."
Salvation is more than mere assent to the reality of God, or the awareness of Jesus' death for our sins, or even a genuine feeling of remorse for our sins. To receive the gift of God's forgiveness and adoption into His eternal kingdom necessitates a response of surrender from us.
In effect, our response to Christ is to yield ourselves fully to Him as our Master, Savior, and Lord. This is seeing ourselves as a humble servant of the Living Lord, and desiring to follow Him in obedience by abiding by His commands as recorded in Scripture. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we hold firmly to the truth of the gospel and we consider our Lord so worthy of our allegiance, that we have an "I'm all in" mentality for the will of God. There is no room for duplicity here. We surrender to the yoke of Christ, which is not laborious . . . rather it is a delight (Matthew 11:30).
Therefore, this offering by Christ of redemption requires a response from us. Are we willing to relinquish our presumed right for our own glory and happiness? Will we renounce the exaltation of our wills to the will of God? Can we see ourselves as servants of the One True Lord? Truly, we were created for such purposes of surrender.
Jesus declares that the man who does not fall away in view of His Lordship will be blessed. Today, each of us is faced with a decision. Either we can capitulate ourselves to His rightful reign in our lives, or we can continue to perpetuate our selfish quest for lordship. Only the one who will profess and live a life yielded to the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:9). God's offering has been afforded to us through the death and resurrection of His Son. He now extends His grace to each of us who would receive it.
Salvation is more than mere assent to the reality of God, or the awareness of Jesus' death for our sins, or even a genuine feeling of remorse for our sins. To receive the gift of God's forgiveness and adoption into His eternal kingdom necessitates a response of surrender from us.
In effect, our response to Christ is to yield ourselves fully to Him as our Master, Savior, and Lord. This is seeing ourselves as a humble servant of the Living Lord, and desiring to follow Him in obedience by abiding by His commands as recorded in Scripture. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we hold firmly to the truth of the gospel and we consider our Lord so worthy of our allegiance, that we have an "I'm all in" mentality for the will of God. There is no room for duplicity here. We surrender to the yoke of Christ, which is not laborious . . . rather it is a delight (Matthew 11:30).
Therefore, this offering by Christ of redemption requires a response from us. Are we willing to relinquish our presumed right for our own glory and happiness? Will we renounce the exaltation of our wills to the will of God? Can we see ourselves as servants of the One True Lord? Truly, we were created for such purposes of surrender.
Jesus declares that the man who does not fall away in view of His Lordship will be blessed. Today, each of us is faced with a decision. Either we can capitulate ourselves to His rightful reign in our lives, or we can continue to perpetuate our selfish quest for lordship. Only the one who will profess and live a life yielded to the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:9). God's offering has been afforded to us through the death and resurrection of His Son. He now extends His grace to each of us who would receive it.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Being a Slave to All
I Corinthians 9:19: "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible."
The book of I Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul in part to defend his calling by the Lord to be an apostle, whose responsibility was to herald the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Mediterranean world. Paul had served with the church at Corinth for more than a year, but he had been apart from them for more than three years. These Corinthians began to despise Paul's simplistic message in favor of their newly acquired spiritual wisdom and their impressive display of spiritual gifts that they liked to showcase in public. They too were forming cliques and quarrelling with one another as to who was more spiritually refined.
In chapter nine, Paul reminds the church that he had been called by the Lord to be an apostle; in fact, he shares that he had actually seen the risen Lord . . . something that none of them could use as evidence for boasting. Paul was not using this argument to regain recognition for himself; it was not as if he were feeling insecure at the church's rejection of him and wanted to blast them for not venerating him in his position. Instead, Paul was reminding his hearers that he had been called as a messenger of the Lord and that their rejection of his word was a rejection of the Lord's commands to them.
What is so telling in this chapter is Paul's understanding of himself as a slave to everyone for their salvation and edification (9:20-23). Paul didn't want to use his position to vaunt himself above others and demand their praise and adulation; rather, Paul was willing to humble himself and assume the role of a slave so that they might be drawn closer to Jesus Christ. Though Paul could have asserted certain rights in being an apostle (see 9:14), he refrained from doing so in order to bless others. This is Christianity at its finest! This is the role that all of us in Christ should assume, no matter what position we find ourselves in the church.
Sadly, we find in our churches those who use their positions of power, status, and influence to draw attention to themselves. They work to secure the praise and respect of others, and they push their personal agendas for their own veneration. This is not the role that Christ expects of His true followers.
Let us re-examine ourselves in view of this example given to us by Paul. Let us strive to be slaves to each other, striving to minister to others before ourselves. Let us take on a spirit of humility and bless others without expectation of praise or reward, for we know that God above is well pleased with such a disposition.
The book of I Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul in part to defend his calling by the Lord to be an apostle, whose responsibility was to herald the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Mediterranean world. Paul had served with the church at Corinth for more than a year, but he had been apart from them for more than three years. These Corinthians began to despise Paul's simplistic message in favor of their newly acquired spiritual wisdom and their impressive display of spiritual gifts that they liked to showcase in public. They too were forming cliques and quarrelling with one another as to who was more spiritually refined.
In chapter nine, Paul reminds the church that he had been called by the Lord to be an apostle; in fact, he shares that he had actually seen the risen Lord . . . something that none of them could use as evidence for boasting. Paul was not using this argument to regain recognition for himself; it was not as if he were feeling insecure at the church's rejection of him and wanted to blast them for not venerating him in his position. Instead, Paul was reminding his hearers that he had been called as a messenger of the Lord and that their rejection of his word was a rejection of the Lord's commands to them.
What is so telling in this chapter is Paul's understanding of himself as a slave to everyone for their salvation and edification (9:20-23). Paul didn't want to use his position to vaunt himself above others and demand their praise and adulation; rather, Paul was willing to humble himself and assume the role of a slave so that they might be drawn closer to Jesus Christ. Though Paul could have asserted certain rights in being an apostle (see 9:14), he refrained from doing so in order to bless others. This is Christianity at its finest! This is the role that all of us in Christ should assume, no matter what position we find ourselves in the church.
Sadly, we find in our churches those who use their positions of power, status, and influence to draw attention to themselves. They work to secure the praise and respect of others, and they push their personal agendas for their own veneration. This is not the role that Christ expects of His true followers.
Let us re-examine ourselves in view of this example given to us by Paul. Let us strive to be slaves to each other, striving to minister to others before ourselves. Let us take on a spirit of humility and bless others without expectation of praise or reward, for we know that God above is well pleased with such a disposition.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
How Can We Experience the Blessing of God in Such a Turbulent World?
Psalm 1:2-3: "Blessed is the man . . . . whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields it fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
How can a person experience the blessed contentment in life when life is filled with such uncertainty, upheaval, and disappointment? How can a person have a focused, positive perspective when he loses a loved one to death or is himself diagnosed with a irrecoverable malady or is betrayed by his spouse, etc.?
I believe that the answer is found within these verses above; specifically, we find that the blessed man "delights" in the law of the LORD. The word used in the original language for "delight" means "chief desire." This is a person who is consumed with the choice morsels of God's WORD; he wants to feast frequently on the edifying, encouraging Words of God, from which the Holy Spirit enlivens the spirit of the reader as he stops to ponder its truths. This soul is strengthened in knowing that God is Sovereign and is in control. This man is reassured that God is working His purposes for His glory, which is always best . . . even though he may be going through a great tribulation and can't seem to make sense of his ordeal.
This man is like the tree that produces wonderful fruit, no matter the circumstances around him, for he is connected to the nourishing water of the adjacent stream. To be sure, this tree can have a dry, despondent desert around him, and yet he seems to radiate a beauty of produce because he does not permit his circumstances to dictate who he becomes. His perseverance and contentment is quite distinct from all other "trees" that seem to capitulate to the difficulties around them. This too is the man who because he is able to shine for the LORD in the midst of tribulation, is able to be an inspiration to those dying around him . . . possibly being catalytic in leading others to the "Living Water" (i.e. Jesus Christ).
So too his fruit is produced "in season." This is a man who through the power of the Holy Spirit is able to demonstrate constancy and dependability, both in good and bad times. When the time comes, his fruit bursts forth in a glorious display of beauty. He does not start to wither on the vine when the perilous times come his way. He does not become angry at life, or God, and renounce his allegiance to the Lord because things aren't going his way or because he doesn't seem to get the breaks/blessings that he sees others getting.
This is such a good Word for us to hear. In the uncertainty of this life, which is filled with pitfalls and heartaches and struggles, we need to tap into the nourishing strength of Christ. We need to move ourselves close to His life-giving water and rely on Him, even though we travail under the most abysmal circumstances. This is the only way that we will endure and press on with our lives. To fail to tap into Christ is to shrivel up and die, for we will lose heart and give in to our difficulties.
Let us press on, being dependable fruit bearers through the power of Christ working within us. Let us soak up the Water of Life within our veins and be transformed from within so that we can stand firm to that which is found around us.
How can a person experience the blessed contentment in life when life is filled with such uncertainty, upheaval, and disappointment? How can a person have a focused, positive perspective when he loses a loved one to death or is himself diagnosed with a irrecoverable malady or is betrayed by his spouse, etc.?
I believe that the answer is found within these verses above; specifically, we find that the blessed man "delights" in the law of the LORD. The word used in the original language for "delight" means "chief desire." This is a person who is consumed with the choice morsels of God's WORD; he wants to feast frequently on the edifying, encouraging Words of God, from which the Holy Spirit enlivens the spirit of the reader as he stops to ponder its truths. This soul is strengthened in knowing that God is Sovereign and is in control. This man is reassured that God is working His purposes for His glory, which is always best . . . even though he may be going through a great tribulation and can't seem to make sense of his ordeal.
This man is like the tree that produces wonderful fruit, no matter the circumstances around him, for he is connected to the nourishing water of the adjacent stream. To be sure, this tree can have a dry, despondent desert around him, and yet he seems to radiate a beauty of produce because he does not permit his circumstances to dictate who he becomes. His perseverance and contentment is quite distinct from all other "trees" that seem to capitulate to the difficulties around them. This too is the man who because he is able to shine for the LORD in the midst of tribulation, is able to be an inspiration to those dying around him . . . possibly being catalytic in leading others to the "Living Water" (i.e. Jesus Christ).
So too his fruit is produced "in season." This is a man who through the power of the Holy Spirit is able to demonstrate constancy and dependability, both in good and bad times. When the time comes, his fruit bursts forth in a glorious display of beauty. He does not start to wither on the vine when the perilous times come his way. He does not become angry at life, or God, and renounce his allegiance to the Lord because things aren't going his way or because he doesn't seem to get the breaks/blessings that he sees others getting.
This is such a good Word for us to hear. In the uncertainty of this life, which is filled with pitfalls and heartaches and struggles, we need to tap into the nourishing strength of Christ. We need to move ourselves close to His life-giving water and rely on Him, even though we travail under the most abysmal circumstances. This is the only way that we will endure and press on with our lives. To fail to tap into Christ is to shrivel up and die, for we will lose heart and give in to our difficulties.
Let us press on, being dependable fruit bearers through the power of Christ working within us. Let us soak up the Water of Life within our veins and be transformed from within so that we can stand firm to that which is found around us.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Is It Ever Right To Do Wrong To Do Right?
Exodus 1:15-21: "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 'When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.' The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, 'Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?' The midwives answered Pharaoh, 'Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.' So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own."
Is it ever right to do wrong to do right? It certainly seems that way in the passage mentioned above. The Egyptian king had ordered that the Hebrew midwives kill all newborn boys, in order that the Hebraic slave population might be kept in check. Although these midwives were in dangerous peril for disobeying the edict of the king, they determined not to execute his command. These women feared the Lord and likely knew of His covenant commitment to their patriarch, Abraham, promising the blessing of many descendants. When the king found out that these midwives did not obey his command, he summoned them and asked why they had not followed orders. In reply, these midwives shared that the Hebrew women were "vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." This may very well be a truth statement, as the Lord was blessing the Israelites with many children, and consequently the midwives were unable to get around to every birth taking place. Still, one may surmise that these midwives were not being completely truthful with the king. Could it be that these women were trying to give reasonable excuse in order that they might not abide by the decree of the Egyptian king? If anything, we find that the Lord was pleased with how they handled the situation and subsequently blessed them with families of their own.
This example brings to mind the example of Nazi Germany during the World War II era. I specifically am reminded of Corrie Ten Boom, who with her family in the Netherlands provided a Hiding Place for Jews attempting to avoid capture by the Gestapo. When these Nazi police would visit the home to investigate the harboring of Jews, Corrie and her family would deny that any Jews were being kept there. Sadly, Corrie and her family in 1944 would be taken to concentration camps in the Netherlands and Germany. Corrie's father would die just 10 days after arriving at his camp, and Corrie's sister would perish just a few weeks prior to Corrie's release in December, 1944. Interestingly (or should we say Providentially), Corrie was released due to a clerical error at the camp. One week after her release, all of the women in her barracks were executed.
In Corrie's example mentioned above, we find that she and her family intentionally refused the truth to the authorities, because such information would have led to the death of a number of Jewish people being harbored there. We can see that the telling of a lie in this instance is morally preferable to telling the truth, due to the devastating consequences. As we reflect upon the Biblical story or the story of Corrie Ten Boom mentioned above, we must not quickly impute culpability to those who are forced to make such decisions under duress. There is a hierarchy of values that must be considered; and in both instances, the value of life supersedes the importance of telling the truth. The sin is not to be ascribed to those who are forced to tell a lie, but to those who would force others into such perilous decisions.
Therefore, there are those rare instances in which it may be right to do wrong to do right. The context of the situation, filtered through the commands of the Lord as observed in the Holy Scriptures will be the key. Caution, however, is in order here. These examples mentioned above are anomalous and cannot be used to exonerate inappropriate behavior in a majority of cases.
Is it ever right to do wrong to do right? It certainly seems that way in the passage mentioned above. The Egyptian king had ordered that the Hebrew midwives kill all newborn boys, in order that the Hebraic slave population might be kept in check. Although these midwives were in dangerous peril for disobeying the edict of the king, they determined not to execute his command. These women feared the Lord and likely knew of His covenant commitment to their patriarch, Abraham, promising the blessing of many descendants. When the king found out that these midwives did not obey his command, he summoned them and asked why they had not followed orders. In reply, these midwives shared that the Hebrew women were "vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." This may very well be a truth statement, as the Lord was blessing the Israelites with many children, and consequently the midwives were unable to get around to every birth taking place. Still, one may surmise that these midwives were not being completely truthful with the king. Could it be that these women were trying to give reasonable excuse in order that they might not abide by the decree of the Egyptian king? If anything, we find that the Lord was pleased with how they handled the situation and subsequently blessed them with families of their own.
This example brings to mind the example of Nazi Germany during the World War II era. I specifically am reminded of Corrie Ten Boom, who with her family in the Netherlands provided a Hiding Place for Jews attempting to avoid capture by the Gestapo. When these Nazi police would visit the home to investigate the harboring of Jews, Corrie and her family would deny that any Jews were being kept there. Sadly, Corrie and her family in 1944 would be taken to concentration camps in the Netherlands and Germany. Corrie's father would die just 10 days after arriving at his camp, and Corrie's sister would perish just a few weeks prior to Corrie's release in December, 1944. Interestingly (or should we say Providentially), Corrie was released due to a clerical error at the camp. One week after her release, all of the women in her barracks were executed.
In Corrie's example mentioned above, we find that she and her family intentionally refused the truth to the authorities, because such information would have led to the death of a number of Jewish people being harbored there. We can see that the telling of a lie in this instance is morally preferable to telling the truth, due to the devastating consequences. As we reflect upon the Biblical story or the story of Corrie Ten Boom mentioned above, we must not quickly impute culpability to those who are forced to make such decisions under duress. There is a hierarchy of values that must be considered; and in both instances, the value of life supersedes the importance of telling the truth. The sin is not to be ascribed to those who are forced to tell a lie, but to those who would force others into such perilous decisions.
Therefore, there are those rare instances in which it may be right to do wrong to do right. The context of the situation, filtered through the commands of the Lord as observed in the Holy Scriptures will be the key. Caution, however, is in order here. These examples mentioned above are anomalous and cannot be used to exonerate inappropriate behavior in a majority of cases.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Receiving a Covering from God
Genesis 3:21: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them."
This early account found in Genesis, recalls the Lord's decree not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and Adam and Eve's subsequent rebellion against the Lord's edict. Adam and Eve desired to be like God, and they craved the forbidden fruit to satisfy their own wanton lusts, even though it was directly in defiance to their calling as faithful servants of the One True Lord (Genesis 3:5-6).
Even with God's responsive curse upon Adam and Eve for their rebellion, the Lord would provide garments of skin for them to hide the shame of their now recognized nakedness. To be sure, Adam and Eve knew that they were exposed before the Lord, and they had sewed fig leaves together to make garments; still, the Lord knew that man's efforts at a covering for sin would never suffice. Therefore, the Lord would take the skin of a sacrificed animal to clothe them and cover their shame. We can see even from this early historical account that God was using the imagery of "sacrifice" and "shed blood" to teach the fallen that He ultimately would provide a Sacrifice to cover their sins, if they would respond with faith, repentance, and obedience.
We specifically can see beautiful imagery of Jesus Christ in this story. He is our Passover Lamb that has been sacrificed for our sins (I Corinthians 5:7); and with His death, we have the opportunity of being clothed with Him in Righteousness (Romans 13:14). If we respond with faith and surrender to His offering of forgiveness through His sacrifice, we can be freed from the shame that comes from our wickedness. Our sins are pardoned, and we experience the blessedness of imputed righteousness. Our sins that once were red as scarlet, now have become white as snow (Isa. 1:18).
Maybe this is why there is so much emphasis upon the righteous receiving white robes to wear in eternity (see Revelation 7:9, 14). They are wearing robes that have been purified by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ! God desires to use the imagery of a "covering" to remind us that he has given to His bride (i.e. the Church) a garment that not only protects and identifies her as His betrothed, but it also proclaims to us that we never have to see the shame of our sin. God's redemption offers the gift of His righteous covering that forever will remind us that He has purified us from all of our sin. Take time today to thank the Lord for His "covering."
This early account found in Genesis, recalls the Lord's decree not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and Adam and Eve's subsequent rebellion against the Lord's edict. Adam and Eve desired to be like God, and they craved the forbidden fruit to satisfy their own wanton lusts, even though it was directly in defiance to their calling as faithful servants of the One True Lord (Genesis 3:5-6).
Even with God's responsive curse upon Adam and Eve for their rebellion, the Lord would provide garments of skin for them to hide the shame of their now recognized nakedness. To be sure, Adam and Eve knew that they were exposed before the Lord, and they had sewed fig leaves together to make garments; still, the Lord knew that man's efforts at a covering for sin would never suffice. Therefore, the Lord would take the skin of a sacrificed animal to clothe them and cover their shame. We can see even from this early historical account that God was using the imagery of "sacrifice" and "shed blood" to teach the fallen that He ultimately would provide a Sacrifice to cover their sins, if they would respond with faith, repentance, and obedience.
We specifically can see beautiful imagery of Jesus Christ in this story. He is our Passover Lamb that has been sacrificed for our sins (I Corinthians 5:7); and with His death, we have the opportunity of being clothed with Him in Righteousness (Romans 13:14). If we respond with faith and surrender to His offering of forgiveness through His sacrifice, we can be freed from the shame that comes from our wickedness. Our sins are pardoned, and we experience the blessedness of imputed righteousness. Our sins that once were red as scarlet, now have become white as snow (Isa. 1:18).
Maybe this is why there is so much emphasis upon the righteous receiving white robes to wear in eternity (see Revelation 7:9, 14). They are wearing robes that have been purified by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ! God desires to use the imagery of a "covering" to remind us that he has given to His bride (i.e. the Church) a garment that not only protects and identifies her as His betrothed, but it also proclaims to us that we never have to see the shame of our sin. God's redemption offers the gift of His righteous covering that forever will remind us that He has purified us from all of our sin. Take time today to thank the Lord for His "covering."
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