The Cost of Disobedience

While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation.They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. And the Lord said to Moses, “The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.”And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the Lord commanded Moses. Numbers 15:32-36 ESV

This is a very difficult passage, one most preachers prefer to skip over. We don’t like the severity of God’s laws. We find the punishment hard to accept (remember, God had already commanded the Israelites not to work on the Sabbath but to keep it holy—this man’s actions were a flagrant disregard for the laws given to the people through Moses). Perhaps it’s because we’ve lived under God’s grace for so long that we err towards leniency when it comes to sin.

Truth is God doesn’t take disobedience lightly. He despises disobedience in any shape or form. He doesn’t rate our disobedience according to ‘small sins’ or ‘big sins.’ Sin is sin. Our actions inevitably have negative consequences. That’s what makes grace so amazing. The cross ushered in a new era of grace. While God still condemns our sin, He is gracious to forgive those who confess their disobedience and their need for Christ’s redeeming work on the cross.

Never forget that sin always costs something. Our sin cost Jesus’ death on the cross, the ultimate price anyone could ever pay. Let’s not forget that the next time we are tempted to disregard God’s Word.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the cross. Let me never take it for granted that you paid the price for my sins. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. Amen.

Thought: Your grace still amazes me, Your love is still a mystery, Each day I fall on my knees, ‘Cause your grace still amazes me – Song by Phillips, Craig & Dean (https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ILpLIcuWwPA)