Those Who Come Near

Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people, and ... they shouted and fell on their faces.... Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron ... offered [wayward] fire before the LORD.... So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them ... And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying:
'By those who come near Me
I must be regarded as holy;
And before all the people
I must be glorified.' "
~ Leviticus 9:23-10:3 (NKJV)

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.... Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.... To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
~ James 4:8,10,17 (NKJV)

We who know the amazing grace of God have a tendency to become too comfortable with Him. Assured that no sin is too great to receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus, those who come near to the Lord's throne of grace may forget to fear Him.

Not only does the person still condemned by sin face the wrath of God, but the child of God also faces His loving discipline. If anyone dares to commit sin asserting God does not care, it would be better to stand afar off than presume to draw near and throw sin in God's face.

When I witness someone who understands the cost of God's forgiveness, and who demands to sin in willful defiance of God's Word, my soul cannot help but be deeply troubled.

Almighty and Gracious Father, we are blessed who know the grace of Your great forgiveness. Please let us keep fear in our hearts for Your holiness, and never count the blood of our salvation so cheap that we choose sin. Thank You for the love which does not allow Your children to languish in sin.

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