Thought from today’s Bible reading from Numbers 16-17.
If one person within a congregation sins, will all members of that congregation stand condemned before God? It depends.
This was the situation in the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. A relatively small number of people rebelled, yet God was prepared to destroy the whole congregation.
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, ‘Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly.’ But they fell on their faces and said, ‘O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?’ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abriram’” (Numbers 16:20-24).
Moses and Aaron thought it would be unfair for God to punish all the people for the sins of a few. Yet God intended to punish the guilty. This is why He gave the instruction to separate themselves from the rebels. Those Israelites who continued to accept the rebels and have fellowship with them also became guilty before the Lord.
The same is true for us under the new covenant. If we continue to have fellowship with those who continue in sin (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) or false doctrine (2 John 9-10), we become guilty as well (2 John 11). When we become guilty, we lose our fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-6).
Sin and error are not to be treated lightly. When others rebel against God and His word, we cannot have fellowship with both the rebels and with God. We must choose, as the Israelites were called to do.
Choose to be faithful and loyal to God, regardless of what anyone else might say or do.
Tomorrow’s reading: Numbers 18-20
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
