WHY DIDN'T GOD JUST FORGIVE SIN BUT SEND JESUS CHRIST?

Have we ever wondered why God didn’t just erase sin instead of sending Jesus Christ? To explore this question, let’s examine three biblical accounts of sin and how God responded to them.

1. Touching the Ark of God

In 2 Samuel 6:6-7, when David and his men came to Nachon’s threshing floor, the oxen carrying the ark of God shook. Uzzah, with good intention, took the ark by his hand. This kindled God’s anger and He smote Uzzah for his error. Uzzah died by the ark. God did not excuse Uzzah’s disobedience, even though his motive may have been good. There is a condemnation of unholy from holy, darkness from light.

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

God hates unholiness and sin. He does not allow sin to come close to Him. Sin separates us, but Jesus Christ reconciles us.

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,”  (2 Corinthians 5:18)

2. God Rejects the Unworthy

In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau was the first-born son of Isaac. Birthright was bestowed upon the first-born according to the Hebrew tradition. One day, while Esau was hungry and weary at the field, he saw his brother cooking a stew. He wanted stew meat for his appetite, and he exchanged his birthright. Esau despised God because he despised his birthright. The writer of Hebrews wrote Esau’s account for us to learn how God perceived Esau.

“looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.” (Hebrews 12:15-16)

God did not accept Esau, as he gave away his birthright for food. Even though it was a supposedly acceptable decision to Esau in a desperate situation, God remembered his sin. As a child of God, we are a living sacrifice, holy and to be acceptable (Romans 12:1). We should be Christ-centered, or else God may reject us.

3. Subjected to the Consequence of Sin

In 2 Samuel 11-12, King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. He used his authority to put Uriah at the battlefront which resulted in him being killed. God responded by declaring that the sword would never depart from David’s house. David’s sin led to family turmoil, including the rebellion of his son Absalom.

Although David repented, the consequences of his actions remained. The child born from his affair with Bathsheba died, and strife plagued his household. This illustrates a key truth: while God forgives, the consequence of sin still tangles in the lives of godly people who have repented. The consequences of sin can lead to negative repercussions such as imprisonment, fine, shamefulness and grief.

“keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." (Exodus 34:7)

Sin resulted in God condemning Uzziah and rejecting Esau. King David was also subjected to the consequence of sin. Since sin entered the world through Adam (Romans 5:12), it became a permanent condition of humanity. Sin caused God to destroy the world. Only through Jesus Christ can we break free from the bondage of sin.

…Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. (Matthew 9:2)

Jesus Christ came to this world. He paid the ransom of sin with His blood and redeemed us from sin (Ephesians 1:7). Jesus is the key to our salvation by reconciling us with God. 

Ask Yourself:

1. Identify the book and verse that states “obedience is better than sacrifice”?

2. Which chapter in the book of Psalms indicates David repenting of his sin of adultery?

3. What sin did humanity commit that caused God to destroy the world in the Old Testament?

Suggested Answers:

1. 1 Samuel 15:22

2. Psalm 51

3. Great wickedness and every intent of the heart being evil continually (Genesis 6:5-7).