Cleansing the World

Cleansing the world

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. – Genesis 6:11-13

In our culture, the concept of sin has become rather watered down. We don’t even like to use terms like sin and evil and I don’t think I’ve heard anyone use the word, “wicked,” except in reference to the Broadway musical. Today, we make mistakes and wrong choices.

There is, however, a consequence to this change in the perception of sin. We don’t acknowledge how bad sin truly is, sin becomes not that big of  deal to us.

“What’s a little white lie here and there?”

“The office will never miss that thing I took.”

“We just weren’t in love anymore.”

We also don’t understand God’s reaction to sin. Something like the account of the flood makes us cringe. Rather than seeing justice done, we ask why God would kill anyone.

The fact of the matter is that sin is a big deal and God takes sin very seriously. The flood shows us that. It wasn’t that long ago that God had created the world and all life in it, now He destroys it. He destroys it because the people had become evil. They had turned away from the Lord and all their ways were corrupted. God cleaned the earth of sin in that flood.

We also see how seriously God takes sin when we see what happened to Jesus. Christ suffering death and hell is God dealing with sin. He didn’t just shrug it off or overlook it. He sent His only beloved Son to die to pay the price for it. God cleanses us of our sin in Christ’s blood.

God also takes mercy and grace seriously. We also see this in Jesus as His death is for us and brings us forgiveness, life, and salvation.

That same grace and mercy is shown in the account of Noah. First, God chose Noah and spared him. Noah believed in God and it was credited to him as righteousness, but Noah was by no means perfect. He was sinful, too, but He believed in God and trusted God’s forgiveness. We are all sinful, but we also are chosen and called to bring our sin to God in our confession, trusting in God’s forgiveness.

Second, God makes a covenant with Noah to never flood the earth again. So, God’s grace and mercy shine through with every rainbow we see in the sky. There we are reminded of God’s compassion and love. So, next time you see a rainbow in the sky. Remember Noah. Remember Jesus. Remember God’s love and forgiveness.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for paying the price for my sin. I could never have paid it myself. Remind me of Your love every time I see a rainbow in the sky.

Amen.

You can read the full account of Noah in Genesis chapters 6-8. Click here to read it.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt