Note: In the Law of Moses, there is no sacrifice for defiant sin.

None.

Lots devoted to unintentional sin. But for defiant sin? No recourse.

This Easter I find myself deep in the Pentateuch—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. (Your favorites, I know.) I’m taking Old Testament History 1, Genesis–Judges this semester. The journey from Genesis to Deuteronomy has been quite a ride. Check it out.

“But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the LORD, and that person must be cut off from his people. Because he has despised the LORD’s word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him.” (Numbers 15:30-31 NIV)

Defiant sin is the “Shake your fist at God” variety. Blatant. In your face.

That’s a concern for this strong-willed child because I earned a ticket to hell on pride alone without a long list of other sins, defiant or unintentional. And in case you think that’s just Old Testament stuff, the New Testament book of Hebrews echoes the sentiment of Numbers.

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:26-29)

However, as far back as Genesis, God reveals His grace, and at Easter, we celebrate His offer of forgiveness to each of us.

“But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ.” (Romans 3:21-24)

As I look back at my proud and defiant moments, most stemmed from a shallow, inaccurate view of God. As God has revealed more of Himself to me, defiance has become less of an issue. I would rather draw close to Jesus than shake my fist at Him.

This Easter, I’m grateful for the blood that covers my sin and for the God who loved me enough to change my defiance to devotion.

Questions:

Have you been guilty of defiant sin?

What compelled you to go there?

Have you changed? Why?

Can you be saved and still live a lifestyle of defiant sin?

Tweetables:

As I look back at my proud and defiant moments, most stemmed from a shallow, inaccurate view of God. Click To Tweet
As God has revealed more of Himself to me, defiance has become less of an issue. Click To Tweet
I would rather draw close to Jesus than shake my fist at Him. Click To Tweet
This Easter, I’m grateful for the blood that covers my sin and for the God who loved me enough to change my defiance to devotion. Click To Tweet