December 19
Zephaniah 1:1-3:20; Revelation 10:1-11; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 30:11-14
Often, we relegate sin to only really bad things. We consider murderers and thieves to be heinous sinners but small missteps to be easily rationalized. Is that the way that God views sin?
Continuing the judgments of the prophets, Zephaniah proclaims judgment upon Judah and the surrounding nations but notice why they are under God’s judgment. He first proclaims their obvious idolatry. They have worshipped the creation rather than the Creator and therefore will be punished. Next, he says he will “punish those who are complacent.” Those who are spiritually opposed to God and those who have simply ignored God or been apathetic toward him will both face his wrath. This reveals that God’s view of sin is far wider than ours. We can commit sins of commission (the acts we do) and omission (the acts we don’t do). This is simply stated by James when he says that if you know the good you ought to do, but don’t, it is a sin. This reminds us that we are far more sinful than we want to recognize. Any thoughts of pride, like that in Psalm 138:6, is sin and puts us in opposition to God.
Thankfully, God’s grace is greater than our sin. Christ died for our sins of commission and omission, which should bring us to a greater devotion to him. The beauty of his grace should cause us to worship in the way Psalm 138 describes. We should praise him, bow down to him, call upon him, and sing of his ways. May our lives be consumed by God and his love, rather than ourselves and our sin.
Father God, thank you for your grace. Help me to live in righteousness through your Spirit rather than living for myself. Amen.
Question: Where in your life do you see sins of apathy and omission settling in?
Often, we relegate sin to only really bad things. We consider murderers and thieves to be heinous sinners but small missteps to be easily rationalized. Is that the way that God views sin?
Continuing the judgments of the prophets, Zephaniah proclaims judgment upon Judah and the surrounding nations but notice why they are under God’s judgment. He first proclaims their obvious idolatry. They have worshipped the creation rather than the Creator and therefore will be punished. Next, he says he will “punish those who are complacent.” Those who are spiritually opposed to God and those who have simply ignored God or been apathetic toward him will both face his wrath. This reveals that God’s view of sin is far wider than ours. We can commit sins of commission (the acts we do) and omission (the acts we don’t do). This is simply stated by James when he says that if you know the good you ought to do, but don’t, it is a sin. This reminds us that we are far more sinful than we want to recognize. Any thoughts of pride, like that in Psalm 138:6, is sin and puts us in opposition to God.
Thankfully, God’s grace is greater than our sin. Christ died for our sins of commission and omission, which should bring us to a greater devotion to him. The beauty of his grace should cause us to worship in the way Psalm 138 describes. We should praise him, bow down to him, call upon him, and sing of his ways. May our lives be consumed by God and his love, rather than ourselves and our sin.
Father God, thank you for your grace. Help me to live in righteousness through your Spirit rather than living for myself. Amen.
Question: Where in your life do you see sins of apathy and omission settling in?
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