Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

For the past week I have been touching on several aspects of our relationship with God. Yesterday I spoke about being tested and the fact that only Jesus got it perfect. I’m not Jesus. I am not Lord. I will never get it perfect in this life. Nevertheless, that does not mean I should stop trying to past the tests.

I did not want to leave you with the impression that failure is inevitable. It is part of growth however. Paul’s point here in Romans about sin and grace is meant to encourage us to want to try harder. The issue of grace received, if it remains upon us, does not complete the intended cycle. We are meant to be God’s extension of grace but this cannot happen if we do not grow up into Him who saved us.

2 Peter 3:17-16 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Ephesians 4:14-16 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Born of the spirit and meant to grow.

Numbers 20:11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

Psalm 95:8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Without some study and perhaps even some sound teaching, it is difficult to see these two verses are speaking to the same thing. I call this devotional testing because a temptation is a testing. It reveals your innermost self.

Moses was provoked by Israel’s attitude. Moses was asked by God to speak to the rock and draw water forth for the people and the animals. Rather than obey God, Moses struck the rock as he had done previously, struck it twice in fact.

In all that Moses did since his burning bush experience, Moses never failed God, obeyed Him in all things, until this moment. For this one and only moment of disobedience Moses and Aaron were not allowed to lead Israel into the promise. Why was that?

John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

Israel trusted in Moses even though he was not perfect. Trust needed to be transferred from Moses to Jesus. Only Jesus was perfect in performance, in obedience, in mercy, in grace, and in love. Both were tested, only Jesus was without spot.

Some will come to you and point at this one failing of Moses as justification for perfect obedience. If they do, it is not because they demand obedience to God, they want you to obey them. Do not be fooled by the testing of Moses and the results. We all fail and our failings have nothing to do with God’s grace and mercy. And how do I know this?

The water came from the rock even after Moses disobeyed.