Proverbs 6:30-35: NO MATTER the reason!

People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; he may have to give up all the substance of his house.

Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. For jealousy is a husband’s fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will accept no recompense, nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts. Proverbs 6:30-35

Actions have consequences—NO MATTER the reason! 

We justify all types of actions. We blame our past, or our ancestor's past, or our 'denied future'. We blame our circumstances. Our location. Our ........ we are great with making excuses that will justify any action. 

HOWEVER!

No amount of justification can ignore the fact when the action is simply WRONG. Sin is sin PERIOD! 

Notice Proverbs 6:30. We are not to despise, (to disrespect, regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt) the one who steals because he is hungry. However, we don't ignore the fact that he stole either. He has to repay 7 x even if it means he loses all he own. There are consequences to our actions! 

Proverbs 6:32

Lacks understanding: void of a comprehending mind, actually "destitute of mind". 

Some actions leave us shaking our heads as we say, "What were you thinking?" Adultery is one. Why would a woman and man destroy their marriage and home, and their own lives to take part in such sin? Often they think they can do it in secret. However, the consequences of the sin are destroying their own life! 

Actions have consequences—NO MATTER the reason!

Often we like to categorize sin. We like to think of "little sins" and "big sins". If we commit "little sins" (maybe a 'white lie') that's OK. Yet a "big sin", say like MURDER—that's just WRONG! We forget that we are not the ones who determine what sin is. God is a holy God and to Him —SIN IS SIN! There are no "white lies", there are not categories for sin. That is why there are consequences for sin—no matter the reason! 

Thankfully, God has made a way that we can be forgiven of our sin. 

If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Confess: to admit or declare oneself guilty of what one is accused of

Cleanse: to free from the guilt of sin, to purify

Actions have consequences—NO MATTER the reason! And if I want to make sure that my actions are wise —I must have a heart that is permeated with a deeps sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Reverence for God; Psalm 139:1

Permeated with a Deep Sense of Reverence for God

Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country—Judea, Samaria, Galilee—the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully. (Acts 9:31 MSG)

Psalm 139:1 

Lord, you have examined [investigated; searched] me and know all about me. Psalm 139:1 (EXB)

God, the Creator of all, has searched me… examined thoroughly… and knows… is fully and acutely aware of me and all that concerns me.  This is where a deep sense of reverence for God begins. For I must realize that God Almighty has intimate knowledge of all things…. that includes my heart and soul.

That knowledge is both frightening and comforting. Frighten, because God Almighty searched me and knows all that concerns me… and I am a sinner. 

Comforting, because of God’s mercy and grace, my sins are forgiven and He sees me clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 61:10). 

If I want to have a deep sense of reverence for God, first my relationship with God must be “In good standing”. I must confess my sin before God. 

I must then follow God’s example, and search and know God Almighty. A deep sense of reverence for God, must start with Who God is. As I learn about Who God is, a deep sense of reverence should overwhelm my heart and soul. 

Say, “No to Sin”

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 47. Here is what I learned.

God rules the nations. He sits upon his holy throne. Psalm 47:8 (GW)

God is King over the nations. God sits on his holy throne. Psalm 47:8 (EXB)

God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness - He is a holy God; he proclaims holiness. His laws are holy, he requires holiness, and his genuine people are all holy. The throne of his holiness is the heaven of heavens; also the temple at Jerusalem; and, lastly, the hearts of the faithful. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Holy: blessed, chaste, clean, consecrated, dedicated, devoted, devout, divine, faithful, faultless, glorified, god-fearing, godlike, godly, good, hallowed, humble, immaculate, innocent, just, messianic, moral, perfect, pietistic, pious, prayerful, pure, revered, reverent, righteous, sainted, saintlike, saintly, sanctified, spiritual, spotless, sublime, uncorrupt, undefiled, untainted, unworldly, upright, venerable, venerated, virtuous.

Evil: depraved, immoral, irreligious, irreverent, sacrilegious, sinful, unholy, unsacred, vile, wicked.

Holy. Evil.  Pure. Vile. Sanctified. Sinful.

There is a huge contrast between God and man. God is pure, without sin. Sin is vile to Him. And sin is not what I say it is, rather what sin is, is based on a Holy God. 

I can never live a sin-free life. For I am a sinner. However, because of God’s love and mercy, He provided a way of forgiveness for my sin—the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is through Him that I have eternal life and my sins are forgiven. 

Do that give me a “free ticket” to sin? No! For if I truly love God, I will not, and do not want to live a life of sin. Paul states it with way: 

·So [What then shall we say?] ·do you think we should [shall we] continue sinning so that ·God will give us even more grace [grace may increase/abound]? 2 ·No [Absolutely not; May it never be]! We died to ·our old sinful lives [sin], so how can we continue living ·with [or in] sin? Romans 6:1, 2 (EXB)

To create a positive day, I need to acknowledge that God is holy, and that because of His love and mercy, I am forgiven of my sins.... but remember that I am to say “no to sin” because I love a holy God.

God’s Glasses or Rose-Colored Glasses?

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 19. Here is what I learned.

·People cannot [Who can…?] ·see [detect; understand] their own ·mistakes [errors]. ·Forgive [Clear] me for my ·secret [hidden] sins. Psalm 19:12 (EXB)

Who could possibly know all that he has done wrong? Forgive my hidden and unknown faults. Psalm 19:12 (VOICE)

How can you sin and NOT know it? It’s simple. So often we have become desensitized to sin, that we don’t recognize it as sin. We often view sin from our perspective rather than seeing sin in from God’s perspective. God is holy. He is just. So, in contrast to Him, sin is ugly, disgusting, filthy... it is the exact opposite of God and all that He is. 

If I really want to face my sins and repent of them, I have to stop viewing with my rose-colored glasses and see sin with my “God-glasses”. 

A few years ago, I was in a Bible Study and we read the book, “Respectable Sins; Confronting the Sins we Tolerate” by Jerry Bridges. In his book, he discusses how “sin” has seemed to disappear. We call sin by many names now... rather than what it really is... SIN against a Holy God! 

Who can understand his errors? - It is not possible, without much of the Divine light, to understand all our deviations from, not only the letter, but the spirituality, of the Divine law. Frequent self-examination, and walking in the light, are essentially necessary to the requisite degree of spiritual perfection.

Cleanse thou me from secret faults - From those which I have committed, and have forgotten; from those for which I have not repented; from those which have been committed in my heart, but have not been brought to act in my life; from those which I have committed without knowing that they were sins, sins of ignorance; and from those which I have committed in private, for which I should blush and be confounded were they to be made public. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

If I want to experience God’s love, I must examine my life with “God’s glasses” and see the sins for what they are... sins. I must then as God’s forgiveness and make changes in my life so that I avoid those sins in the future. 

Each day I have a choice, will I put on God’s glasses and view my life as He sees it, or will I continue to wear my rose-colored glasses and ignore the sin in my life? If I want to create a positive day, and experience God’s amazing love, I must wear God’s glasses and repent of my sins. 

God's Smile!

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The First of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 67. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Today as I read Psalm 67... I had to stop and learn more about verse 1. 

God, mark us with grace and blessing. Smile! Psalm 67:1 (MSG)

God be merciful and gracious to us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us and among us—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 67:1 (Amplified)

First, the Psalmist realized the need for God to be merciful and gracious to us. We are sinners, and only because of God's mercy and love, does He forgive us of our sins. Today is the beginning of a New Year, what a great truth to begin the year with... God has forgiven me! 

The next request of the Psalmist is that God bless us. And He does in so many ways. Today, I woke up to a beautiful Sunrise. God displays His handiwork in the Heavens for us to enjoy. 

God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Psalm 19:1 (MSG)

Then lastly the Psalmist asks God to Smile! The Psalmist wants God's glory to reflect on him. As I go about today, I'd like to reflect God's smile with those whom I come in contact. This verse makes me think of the song by The Ball Brothers, "I Glimpse of Your Glory". 

Knowing that I'm forgiven, and that God is smiling upon me...that creates a positive day like no other!