ARE YOU SERIOUS?
by Bill Lambert

    We have a habit of rationalizing our behavior, don't we?  Somehow, we find it hard to accept responsibility for the things which we do, even when it is clear that we have violated some rule or gone too far.  We use various tricks to deny any guilt which may be associated with the wrongdoing.  Oftentimes, when faced with the facts, we may respond with, “You are not serious, are you?”  Far too often, sin becomes trivial to us, but God is serious about it.  We will do well to take it seriously also.  Sin is indeed a “big deal,” bringing about separation from God. (Isaiah 59:1,2)  One of the purposes of God's law was to teach the extreme sinfulness of sin. (Romans 7:13)  A function of the New Testament record is to discourage sin.  (1 John 2:1)

GOD WAS SERIOUS ABOUT THE TREE
    God's warning to Adam and Eve was clear and to the point.  (Genesis 3)  The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was “off limits” to them.  “If you eat, you die,” was the message. Eve understood the word of the Lord, for she repeated it to Satan.  Satan's approach to Eve was subtle and successful.  He convinced her that God was not really serious about his warning.  She ate some of the forbidden fruit and persuaded her husband to do the same.  When confronted, Adam sought to shift the blame to his wife, and Eve sought to put the blame onto the devil.  All of them, though, were condemned by the Lord, and punished.

GOD WAS SERIOUS ABOUT HIS CHOICE
    God had chosen a meek and unassuming Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian captivity and into the promised land.  At first reluctant, Moses fulfilled his God-given responsibility.  Some, however, challenged his leadership.  Korah, Dathan, On, and Abiram claimed that he was taking too much upon himself. (Numbers 16)  For their rebellion, they paid with their lives.  The earth opened up and swallowed them.  God means business.

GOD WAS SERIOUS ABOUT THE WATER
    On one occasion, God had instructed Moses regarding the obtaining of water for the Israelites by striking a rock. (Exodus 17)  It worked!  Later, he told him to speak to a rock to bring forth water. (Numbers 20) Moses, while speaking out to the rebellious Israelites, struck the rock as he had before.  Again, water came out of the rock.  Moses had not sanctified Jehovah God in the presence of the people.  As a result, he was not allowed to lead the children of Israel into the promised land.

GOD WAS SERIOUS ABOUT THE ARK
    After having spent some time among the enemies of Israel, and being stored at the house of Abinadab (1 Samuel 7), the Ark of the Covenant was finally being restored to its proper place.  It was loaded on a cart and its journey home commenced.  When the oxen stumbled, Uzza put his hand upon the ark to steady it and was killed instantly. (2 Samuel 6)
The prohibition against touching the ark was not a recent one, but had been in place from the beginning of its existence.  (Numbers 4:15) God means what he says.

GOD WAS SERIOUS ABOUT JERICHO
    Prior to the destruction of Jericho, God had declared that no looting would be allowed, but everything was dedicated to God. (Joshua 6:18-19)  Achan did not take very much, but what he took cost his life, and those of his family. (Joshua 7)  God's will was to be done!

GOD IS SERIOUS ABOUT OUR LEARNING
    One of the reasons the Old Testament record has been preserved is so that we might learn not to make the same mistakes others have made. (1 Corinthians 10:11)  Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. (Hebrews 2:2)  Not only has God executed judgment upon men, but it has always been just.      All of us must see sin for what it is.  Every sin is an insult to the holiness of God.  We are accountable for our own sins and for any encouragement we give to others to sin.  Sin makes us unsuitable for the service of God.  It provides cause for enemies of righteousness to blaspheme.  Sin separates us from God. Serious? Believe it...it is serious!