All throughout the Bible, God shows His judgment against sin. Many define sin as missing the mark, like the bullseye on archery or dart. The mark represents God's ways. So if we are not walking in God's way, we are missing the mark and sin. However, the accurate meaning of sin is disobedience to God's commandments. We see this in the Garden of Eden when Adam disobeyed God's command. God told him not to eat the forbidden fruit, and he disobeyed God and ate the fruit. As a result, God's judgment came upon Adam, and death came to all mankind. Romans 5:12 says, "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—" 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." Another example that God judged the world with sin is during the time of Noah. God said these words to Noah in Genesis 6:13, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth."
The commandments of God represent the holiness and righteousness of God. When we disobey God, we sin against His holy and righteous character. And since God is just, sin has consequences. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." As we study the book of Jonah for the next few weeks, we need to understand that God's judgment was about to come upon the Assyrian Empire because of their sins. Since God is a merciful God, He commanded His prophet Jonah to go to Ninevah, the capital of the Assyrian Empire and warned them of His judgments. Perhaps they would repent and be saved from His judgment.
God does not want anyone to come under His judgment, which is why Jesus came to this world to save us from our sins. God will judge people based on their choice, whether they will choose to believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior or reject Him. Those who choose to believe in Jesus will be saved from God's judgment and receive eternal life (John 3:16).
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully and meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speaks to you). What is the consequence of sin? How can I be saved from God's judgment against sin? Have I genuinely believed in Jesus as my Lord and Savior?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for saving me from your judgment against sins through my faith in my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Thank you for your grace, mercy, and love. Please help me share my faith with others so they can hear your truth and be saved. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.