I was reminded from Genesis 12 this morning of a very true and painful fact about our sin, and that is that our sin has consequences. What’s more, the consequences of our sin may not only or always be paid by us but by someone else…someone else who likely doesn’t deserve it as seems to be the case here. Genesis 12 begins with God making some stout promises to Abram…promises that seemed unbelievable to him as evidenced by his actions in Egypt. I say that because if Abram really believed God for these promises he would have left his life in God’s hand instead of taking his life into his own hands. Because he failed to believe God’s truth, he lied about his marital status with Sarai as they entered Egypt and said that she was his sister. He did this because he believed her beauty would lead to his death. Instead, as his sister her beauty led her to the house of Pharaoh where she joined his harem. Instead of Abram losing his life, he amassed a great fortune in animals and silver and gold as Sarai’s brother. But it was all a sham and God would have nothing to do with it and visited their sin with great plagues. However, the plagues didn’t come to Abram and Sarai, they came to Pharaoh’s household. Without going into the “fairness” of this, let me point out that often the consequences of our sin are paid by someone else. When I speak harshly to Denise or exasperate Jackson, who pays the consequences for my sin? They do! As I think about the awful truth of this reality, I am reminded of one who paid the ultimate consequence of not only my sin but the sins of mankind throughout all time. Jesus didn’t deserve to face our consequences, but he did so willingly that we might be the recipients of God’s great love and affection and not his judgment and wrath. Lord, help me to believe in your gospel promises. Don’t let me take them for granted and the cost that you and Jesus incurred in offering them to me.

Posted via email from BRETT EUBANK