The Penitent Man

Everyone once in a while we come across something that makes us stop and think. Maybe it's the actions of a total stranger, or a thoughtful gift from a friend at just the right moment. Their deeds or words have an impact on us and change us in some way.

I have labeled this story "Penitent" because that is how I felt after reading a passage of scripture this week. It made ME stop and think. Let me set the stage before you read it. Old Testament. Moses is leading Israel through the wilderness and they are about to enter the promised land.

God warns His people not to assimilate any of its people or any of their culture into their families, traditions, or worship. "Have nothing to do with them!" is God's message, basically. 

"But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live."

The people God wanted Israel to replace were nasty people. Fully of sin and corruption. God's instructions sound simple and easy to understand yet God's people never seem to listen. And neither, it seems, do we.

The scripture tells us that we should not allow sin to enter our lives. The attributes of "this world" should not be present in us either. Yet, day after day, we allow them in, contrary to God's advice. His COMMAND for us.

Then comes verse 56. God tells Moses what He will do to us if we become like the inhabitants of the land. If we continue to allow sin into our lives and continue to walk in the ways of "the world," the truth is not in us and we will be condemned. If we fail to obey God's command . . .

56then I will do to you what I plan to do to them." - Numbers 33:55

Not good!!

I was reminded of a scene from one of the Indiana Jones movies. Jones is trying to enter a cave when previously others have perished trying to so the same - decapitated by a pair of large swinging blades. His only clue was "Only the penitent man shall pass."

Ain't that the truth!?!?!

Are we penitent? Are we penitent for the sins we have committed? Are we still allowing the ways of "the world" to find a place in our lives and in our hearts? If so, we must repent and cast out the things that God does not want us to have in our lives.

Who gets into heaven? Only the penitent shall pass. Repent therefore . . . and thank God for Jesus!!

Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade - The Penitent Man