Open up your Bible or open up the link above to read His Word.
"The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and fourth generation."
Exodus 34:6-7 ESV
God called Moses back up the mountain for a do-over. The tablets Moses carried down the first time, he broke on the ground as he watched God's people break every commandment written on them (Exodus 32:19). In His grace, God told Moses to cut new tablets like the first and come alone to meet with Him on the mountain.
As rebellious as the people had been. As impetuous as Moses had been. God chose to be gracious and try again. After all, that's who He is... merciful and gracious...
On his second visit up the mountain, God passed by Moses as He said He would. As He passed by He declared His name so Moses would know and be able to tell His people exactly who He is... slow to anger...
God's character trait slow to anger can be dangerous. The people stirred up God's anger once. They almost lost His presence. They had a small taste of His anger, but they needed to remember He is serious about His commandments.
Sometimes we mistake God's patience and loving kindness for approval... forgiveness... indifference... and keep right on doing what we know is contradictory to His law. But He clearly says He is a God who will by no means clear the guilty... A price must be paid for every sin. He is every bit as much a God of justice and holiness as He is grace and mercy.
God's law was fulfilled by Jesus. Even punishment for every sin committed. Jesus satisfied God's wrath on the cross. Through His resurrection He was justified. Through trusting belief we can be justified too. Forgiven. Every sin atoned for through Jesus's sacrifice. No more passing guilt from generation to generation.
But make no mistake. Even though Believers are free from the law, every sin comes with consequences. Painful ones built right in. And one sure sign of salvation is the desire for holiness in our lives here and now. Loving Him through obedience with every moment of time we have left. Not because of fear, but because we love Him.
Jesus made the way for everyone to have a do-over, by faith. One we need to continually walk in, as long as we are in these bodies of flesh. One we should never take for granted. And be thankful for each and every day.
Father God, what a gracious gift to make the Way for a Do-over!
May I use mine to bless You and Your people every moment
of every day.
No comments:
Post a Comment