We’re approaching Week 18 on our verse-by-verse adventure through the book of Genesis. So far, we’ve seen…

Adam & Eve trusting the serpent over God; Cain’s premeditated murder of Abel; the worldwide wickedness prompting the flood; the narcissism at Babel; the despicable act of Abraham lying to the Egyptian pharaoh and giving Sarah, his wife, to pharaoh’s harem; Lot’s stunt of choosing to live in Sodom; and this week’s mess: Sarah in essence telling God to “take a hike” and pleading with Abraham to sleep with another woman – which he did. And we’re only to chapter 16.

Two principles overwhelm me when I read the Bible.

First, the Bible pulls no punches – it’s an unedited, unsanitized record of fallen mankind against the backdrop of God’s relentless, merciful, loving pursuit of having a personal relationship with us through Jesus Christ.

Second, as Paul wrote,

“….[even] when we are faithless, he is faithful…” (2 Timothy 2:13)

I read once,

When we read the Bible, we’re reading something written to us, and about us.

When I think of the stories of sin and rebellion listed above…I feel like I’m reading about me.

What a mess I am.

Yet, when I read the Bible another principle gives me hope and peace:

No act of betrayal, treachery, and foolishness can lessen our value and worth in the sight of God.

Spurgeon rightly said,

“God can reach into the gutter and pull out a jewel.”

This is the same God who, centuries after the events mentioned above, will be tortured and die a horrible, excruciating death. Why? Because our worst actions, words, and thoughts pale in comparison to Jesus’ love for us – a love proven not by mere words, but action when he to took upon himself the judgment we deserve.  (Cf. Romans 5:8; 8:38-39)

I often say,

“We’re a mess; but in Christ, we’re a perfect mess.”

nick