Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Curse of Sin

FAITH IN ACTION:
LIVING AS FAITHFUL PEOPLE
God's Redemption

FREED FROM THE LAW THROUGH CHRIST

Deuteronomy 27:15-26

The Message
 14-26 The Levites, acting as spokesmen and speaking loudly, will address Israel:

   God's curse on anyone who carves or casts a god-image—an abomination to God made by a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who demeans a parent.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who moves his neighbor's boundary marker.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who misdirects a blind man on the road.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who interferes with justice due the foreigner, orphan, or widow.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who has sex with his father's wife; he has violated the woman who belongs to his father.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who has sex with an animal.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who has sex with his sister, the daughter of his father or mother.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who has sex with his mother-in-law.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who kills his neighbor in secret.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on anyone who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
   God's curse on whoever does not give substance to the words of this Revelation by living them.
      All respond: Yes. Absolutely.

For Reflection
Can't you just see the crowd chanting in response?  The Levites could have added any taboo they wanted and the crowd would have responded, "Yes. Absolutely!" 

The rules would increase in number and complexity and would soon become so massive that they would lose their power to guide God-like action.  Interpreters of the rules would gain power with their special incite.  The rules driven faith would ripen in abuse.

Think about the rules that govern your life.  How many times have you had to ignore one rule to serve another?

Pray
thanking God for His constant protection.  Pray that you will respond to God when he calls you to action.  Pray so that you will hear God's will.

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