And They Hid Themselves...

Thinking about sin and its consequences today…perhaps because my Sunday School lesson for my 1^st – 3^rd graders is on Adam and Eve and their sin.  Here is what I have been thinking about:  We sin.  Those around us sin. Everyone is vulnerable.  I know, this sounds so hopeless, but remember, our hope in Christ remains untouched.  Sin comes from within.  No one has to force us to sin…it is our nature.  None of us are exempt from sin:  “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”  (Isaiah 64:6)  The only deliverance from sin comes from Christ alone:  “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

Remember too, we have consequences for sin…whether it be from our own sin or the sins of another.  Just because we are saved doesn’t mean we are spared the consequences of wrong choices.   Adam and Eve had to give up a perfect life because of their sin and we continue to live with those same consequences of sin.  We can, however, give the God glory as we endure the consequences of sin.  We cannot look to people to get us through.  They are sinners just like us.  “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”  (James 4:6)  Like Adam and Eve, we are tempted to hide our sin from God, but we need to acknowledge our sin and confess it to God, knowing that whatever the consequences, He will see us through.    What are you resting in?  Are you resting in people?  Things?  Self?  All of these will fail us.  God is our strength and refuge.  “Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” (Isaiah 26:4)

My Hope is Jesus

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

On Christ the solid rock I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

My hope is Jesus –

The anchor of my soul,

The ruler of the universe,

The One Who's in control.

He saved me, and He will keep me till the end.

The rock of my salvation - on Christ I will depend.

My hope is Jesus."

(Words by Ron Hamilton and Edward Mote)