How wise is it to approach tragedy with pride?

April 28, 2013 Evening:

Title: How Can We Stand the Just Retribution of God?

Old Testament Passage: Deuteronomy 6:10-15 – lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you

Gospel Passage: John 10:14-21 – Can a demon open the eyes of the blind

Sermon Text: Hebrews 2:2 – and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,

Sermon Point: Christ has taken the consequences of covenant failure upon Himself so that we might be reconciled to God and have life.

2:2 … and every transgression or disobedience

One of the gospel functions of the Law of Moses was to reveal transgression to Israel. While the Law promised blessings for obedience and the curse of national destruction for transgression, our sinful flesh made the outcome of that test obvious enough.

If we were so foolish as to deceive ourselves of our ability to please God through our own merits, the history of Israel should have convinced us of the impossibility of peace with God through Law. Centuries of failure gave amply testimony to our need for an obedient Savior who would be able to purchase the church of God with His own blood.

But in a day when we seem very resistant to any correction it is hard to envision the shock, either personal or societal, that would cause us to humble ourselves before God. We are far more ready to shake our fist toward heaven and to respond to every challenge with overwhelming pride.

We should embrace this fact about the Law: It revealed to us many transgressions that we have committed. Not only that, the Law demands a record of righteousness, rather than merely a sentence of “not guilty.” Do you see the difference? Even if there were no evidence of sin in our lives, that would not be enough for us to have peace with God. The Lord demands evidence of righteousness, even perfect righteousness.

received a just retribution,

The result of our guilt and our lack of positive evidence of perfect obedience, is that we deserve, according to the Law of God, a just retribution. In the kingdom of Israel, the civil requirements of God's Law were to be strictly followed. Misdeeds like murder and perjury required not only a verdict, but also the administration of the appropriate penalty.

The Law required this consistency and follow-through. It was a serious Word from God. But what of those violations of the Law that no man could ever prove? Would the Lord ignore our pride and covetousness? What would He do about the fact that those who were called by His Name refused to humble themselves before Him? How could we stand His cross-examination if we were charged with not loving Him with all our everything?

We are guilty of gross neglect of the moral law of God. But there is a Redeemer, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, who has supplied everything that we lacked, and who took the penalty for our sins that we deserved.

But now, how will we stand if we act as if He and His Word are not serious enough for us as to demand our honest humility of worship and our earnest spiritual living? Our response to national tragedy and personal loss cannot be pride. We must humble ourselves before the Lord, seeking His face, and finding our joy from His presence and promises, which are our strength. Only then will we be able to overcome evil with good.