“Christians, God and angels are spectators, observing how you [conduct] yourselves like children of the Most High; every exploit your faith doth against sin and Satan causeth a shout in heaven; while you valiantly prostrate this temptation, scale that difficulty, regain the other ground you even now lost out of your enemies’ hands. Your dear Savior, who stands by with a reserve for your relief at a pinch, his very heart leaps within him for joy to see the proof of your love to him and zeal for him in all your combats; and will not forget all the faithful service you have done in his wars on earth; but when thought comest out of the field, will receive thee with the like joy as he was entertained himself at his return to heaven of his Father.”
– William Gurnall, ‘Armour’ (p. 17)
Nadab & Abihu
1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them.-Leviticus 10:1
This verse so vividly illustrates the fact that being born into a family of religious privilege does not necessarily ensure that the child will endear the affection toward the object of religion. Both Nadab and Abihu had a great godly example in their father, Aaron, and their uncle, Moses. But, no matter how godly their family might have been, their sinful, slothful hearts led them to commit a most fatal sin.
This completely goes against psychology’s argument that children, when raised in a positive environment with good parental examples, will naturally gravitate toward that which is good. The Holy Spirit teaches through the authorship of Paul that man’s heart has been sinful ever since the fall of Adam and it will continue to be so. Man is enslaved to sin. The only thing that breaks the bondage to sin is the precious shed blood of the “second Adam”, Jesus Christ … not better role models or higher self-esteem. However, even those, who have placed their faith in the blood of Jesus Christ to atone for their sins (justification), will struggle with the abiding sin nature that resides in their flesh as they are conformed more and more to the image of their Savior (sanctification), but will eventually be perfected in the eternal life-to-come.
This verse really illustrates the fact that obedience to God is not a matter of choice. Despite our propensity toward sin, there is no excuse for disobedience to God. God’s holiness demands our obedience. In order to please God, man must perfectly obey Him.
No “mental disorder”, “psychiatric disorder”, or “emotional issue” is a viable excuse for violation of the perfect law of God. However, perfect fulfillment of God’s law is also impossible for man’s fallen sinful race. Therefore, he must hide himself in the perfect God-man, Jesus Christ, who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it in order to reconcile man to God. When man places His faith and trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior from sin, He not only is forgiven of all of the times he had trespassed God’s perfect law, but he is also credited with the perfect righteousness and obedience of Jesus Christ. Praise God!!!
