Dec 5

“If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him” Exodus 22:2

The news have reported instances of people who for attempting to stop a burglar from entering their home, have incurred heavy penalties when sued at law by the perpetrator, and have ended up paying damages to the person who was actually committing the crime in the first place! Unlike the more liberal views of today, the law of God set rather severe consequences for thieves’ breaking and entering into a home at night. It was to be assumed that under the cover of darkness, their intentions were not only to steal but potentially to kill and therefore self-defence justifiable and without repercussion. Grace has added a new dimension to the stringency of the law. Jesus lifted the dealings between the wronged and the wrongdoer to a new plane, revolutionising the thinking of how we should manage offences. Grace however does not alleviate the necessity of true repentance, turning and ceasing from sin and making restitution. Laws which have severe punishment attached to them are deterrents to committing those sins but the best motivation for us to stay righteous, avoid sin of any kind and live a worthwhile life, should not be fear of the punishment, but a genuine and wholehearted fear of God and love for Him and His ways.  


http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion