Rising Above Sin

How do we rise above sin, the sin of the world, the sin in our own lives, the temptation to sin? The story of the flood gives a beautiful picture of this.

“Understand that I am bringing a flood —- flood waters on the earth to destroy every creature under heaven with the breath of lie in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives.”

Noah was righteous. While others followed their desires, Noah chose to do something quite unusual, because God asked him to. God had Noah fulfill His plan of cleansing the world by building a giant boat in the middle of land. Noah didn’t do it alone. He asked others, his family, to join him.

His family believed him and followed his lead. Potentially by helping to build the ark despite persecution and then getting on the ark with countless animals. They did all of this even when there was no water in sight.

In the end, none of their actions were wasted. The flood came rising them above the sin and darkness of the world. It carried them to a new beginning.

While it’s tempting to look at Noah and use him as a basis of how we should be: obedient to God and calling others to join us in following Him, etc. there’s a much bigger picture here.

“Jesus looked up to heaven and said ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. This is eternal life: That they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent — Jesus Christ. I have glorified you on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.’” John 17:1-5 (CSB)

Jesus was beyond righteous. While others chose to be first, Jesus humbled Himself and served others. Jesus sought God and followed through with God’s plan to cleanse mankind even when it was less than desirable and didn’t match human reasoning.

“He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our work, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (CSB)

We are the family in the flood story, and like them, we are asked to JOIN Jesus in HIS mission. When we believe Jesus and follow His lead even when it doesn’t make sense, He separates us from the sin and darkness of the world. Keep in mind Noah’s family didn’t just get in the boat when it was all done, they helped to build it, which was a long tasking process. While it isn’t OUR mission or responsibility to cleanse the world from sin, it is still something we have the privilege to be invited into and get to witness, even in ourselves. When we start to follow Jesus, we help Him to build the ark in our own lives, allowing Him to change us and shape us until we too experience what it’s like to be separated from the world while still living in it.

* This devotional is a part of the Bible study: Conecting the Dots to Jesus - Chapter 4: Day 1 - Dot 10: Noah Which can be found at: https://encouragement-prevails.ck.page/profile

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