What steps can we take to align our actions with God's expectations today? The Sobering Lesson from Er “ But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so the LORD put him to death.” – Genesis 38:7 God records Er’s judgment as a clear, literal reminder that He sees every action, weighs every motive, and responds righteously. Because His character has not changed (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), aligning our lives with His expectations remains urgent and non-negotiable. Step 1: Take God’s Holiness Seriously • Leviticus 11:45 – “Be holy, because I am holy.” • Isaiah 6:3 – The seraphim cry “Holy, holy, holy,” underscoring His flawless purity. Knowing God’s uncompromising holiness keeps us from treating any sin casually. Step 2: Identify and Reject Personal Wickedness • Psalm 139:23-24 – Invite the Lord to “search me…see if there is any offensive way in me.” • Galatians 5:19-21 lists acts of the flesh; noting them by name helps us confess specifically. Practical action: keep a short sin-list. As soon as the Spirit convicts, write it, confess it, forsake it. Step 3: Embrace Immediate Repentance • 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” • Proverbs 28:13 – Hiding sin leads to no prosperity; confessing brings mercy. Repentance is more than regret; it is a decisive turn that realigns both heart and behavior. Step 4: Walk in Daily Obedience • John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • James 1:22 – Be doers, not hearers only. Practical action: start each day reviewing one clear command (e.g., Ephesians 4:29 on speech) and deliberately obey it. Step 5: Cultivate a Heart of Integrity • Proverbs 4:23 – Guard the heart, for everything flows from it. • Psalm 15 describes the person who may dwell in God’s presence: speaks truth, keeps oaths, refuses bribes. Integrity means the same character in private as in public, preventing an “Er-type” hidden wickedness. Step 6: Rely on the Spirit’s Power • Galatians 5:16 – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Romans 8:13 – By the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body. We cannot conquer sin in human strength; surrender invites supernatural enablement. Step 7: Invite Accountable Community • Hebrews 10:24-25 – Spur one another on toward love and good works. • Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two are better than one; if one falls, the other lifts him. Trusted believers help spot blind spots and encourage perseverance. Step 8: Keep Eternity in View • 2 Corinthians 5:10 – All believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. • 1 Peter 1:17 – Live in reverent fear, knowing God judges impartially. Eternal perspective fuels present obedience and guards against temporary compromises. Bringing It All Together Er’s story shouts that sin brings real consequences and that God’s expectations are unchanging. By revering His holiness, exposing and repenting of sin, obeying daily, cultivating integrity, relying on the Spirit, engaging accountable community, and living with eternity in mind, we align our actions with the righteous standards God still requires today. |
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