For the last two years, I have been walking us through basic systematic theology. We discussed the doctrine of God, the doctrine of man, the doctrine of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of redemption, and the doctrine of the future. Before beginning a new series, I want to spend this month writing on some different subject matters that is pressing on my heart.
For the last few week, months and years now, it seems like some different public person is being exposed for different acts, right in the open public for everyone to watch on the local news, or read about in print or from a web page. We have seen actors, directors, sports figures, and politicians getting exposed for something done in the past. In 2015 we saw what happened when an online dating service where a married person can look for indiscrete relationships outside of their marriage an affair. When this site got hacked and the names who used this server was made public, so many lives were hurt/ruined. I heard it then and I am again here a piece of Scripture being used for what is happening: Be sure your sin will find you out.
I tend to sometimes get really upset when I hear scriptures used incorrectly or twisted for a single purpose that the verse was not meant to address. This is the case with this verse. This verse is truly found in the Bible, but it is not the verse in its entirety. First of all, this verse is found in the book of Numbers; 32:23, which reads “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. (NIV)
Now this verse seems like it might be talking about something different. Fail to do what? At this point we now need to background information. This takes place on the east side of the Jorden River, and the Israelites are getting ready to finally enter into the promised land. The tribes of Reuben and Gad were going to settle in this land on the east side of the river. Moses made an assumption that they wanted to stay on this side of the Jordan River to avoid the dangers that the other tribes were going to encounter with taking the land in Canaan.
The Reubenites and Gadites assured Moses that they would still join the other tribes in fighting the Canaanites. Moses accepted this but added that if they did not help their brothers in this, that they would be sinning against God. Moses then added that their sin will find them out. Some people feel that this verse, using only half of the verse also, means that “Your sins will someday be found out” or “You will not get away with sin.” These are true statements, but this verse is not about that.
Does this mean that I can misbehave? No! Las Vegas is guilty of false advertising? They say that whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Your sins committed there will not follow you home. What happens in Vegas and anywhere else is recorded, it is recorded in Heaven! Nothing is hidden from God. Proverbs 15:3 tells use “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”
God is no pacifist that looks the other way when we sin. God has promised to hold each and every one of us accountable for ourselves. No matter if you are saved or unsaved, you will have your day in court with God. But the saved and unsaved will not go to the same court. The best way I can explain this is that the unsaved will stand trial in a criminal court. In the criminal court you go to prison, in this case the Lake of Fire. The saved will be in civil court where you will suffer monetary (rewards) loss and God’s anger. The unsaved will stand trial at The Great White Throne of Judgement (Revelation 20:11 – 15), and the saved will stand trial at The Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9 – 11).
This world is a sinful place. Everyone, saved and unsaved are sinners. Sin will take us further away from God. Both the saved and the unsaved will feel the sorrow that sin produces, but a Godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation. The worldly sorrow lacks repentance and leads to the second death, spiritual death.
Some of the most holy men in the Bible expressed sorrow for their sinfulness…
- The prophet Isaiah: “Woe to me!” I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5 NIV)
- The Apostle Peter: When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8 NIV)
- The Apostle Paul: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15 NIV)
We are entering the season in which we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus, and through the blood of Jesus Christ, The Lamb of God, forgiveness is available for everyone. No matter how bad you have been there is forgiveness for everyone, you cannot out sin God’s grace. Satan will always show you the neon lights, the glamour, the fame, the money, the fun, the good times but he will never show you the truth the consequences of unrepentance to our sins, the broken lives. Sin just takes you further away from God and that is exactly what Satan wants to do.
Make today the day to make a commitment or a recommitment to Christ Jesus. If you are ready pray this prayer:
Father, Your Word declares that if I ask for forgiveness, You will forgive me and cleanse me from all of my unrighteousness. Help me to believe; help me to receive my forgiveness for past and present sins. Help me forgive myself. I confess Jesus as my Lord and believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, and I am saved.
Father, Your Son, Jesus, said that whatever I ask for in prayer, having faith and really believing, I will receive. Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.
In the face of this feeling of guilt and unworthiness, I receive my forgiveness, and the pressure is gone – my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. I am blessed, for You have forgiven me, You have forgiven me of my sins. I am blessed, for You will never count my sins against me.
Lord, I have received Your Son, Jesus; I believe in His name, and He has given me the right to become your child. I acknowledge You, Lord, as my Father. Thank You for forgiving me and absolving me of all guilt. I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of my testimony.
In the name of Jesus, amen.