“You are not to do as we are doing here today; everyone is doing whatever seems right in his own sight.” – Deuteronomy 12:8
It seems we’ve come full circle! What was true of the ancient Israelites then is true for so many of us today. We like to be the judge and arbiter of our own actions, choices, rationalizations, and preferences. We deny that there is a God who sovereignly set the design and standard for human life and flourishing. Therefore we find ourselves in mess after mess, descending into ever greater ugliness, doing whatever seems right in our own opinion, and celebrating it!
That doesn’t work. It’s never worked. It might seem fun for awhile, but there’s always a reckoning. God is the author of creation and He sets the standard. We’ve all rebelled against that standard and that rebellion is called sin. Sin separates us from our Creator, for in His holiness, goodness, and justice, He does not permit sin into His presence.
However, in His love, mercy, and grace, God provided a way for us to be restored to Him despite our love for doing whatever seems right in our own sight. God sent His Son Jesus into this world to live the perfect life of obedience we can’t. In the final week of His earthly ministry, Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, was betrayed and arrested on Maundy Thursday, was tortured and killed for our sins on Good Friday, and rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. Jesus rose victorious over sin and death and all who believe in Him will likewise be victorious over these ancient enemies.
That’s what we celebrate this week – the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross that reconciles rebellious and sinful mankind to our loving Father by grace through faith alone:
– For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
– For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)
– But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)
– Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9)