One of Illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD. Deuteronomy 23:2

We each have our own story. And we each have our own personal difficulties that try to alienate us from the cross.

I don’t know what your story is, but I know mine. I was conceived and born out of wedlock and was then adopted at five days old. So it was to my horror, as I read in Deuteronomy that during the Old Covenant, anyone born out of wedlock couldn’t take part in worship. But not just that, ten generations had to pass until a descendant could take part in worship. That passage took my breath away and not in a good way. Had I lived all the way back then, due to something that was not my fault at all, I would not be allowed to worship with the temple’s congregation. Nor my children, or their children, and on and on.

If we were to study the entire law together, we would all find many things that would keep us out of the temple, whether it be from sin, an issue of blood, or touching a dead body. It is all about holiness. And this is why Jesus had to come. He came to fulfill the law and to finish our faith. Billy Joel wrote a very popular song during the 80’s called, We Didn’t Start The Fire. No we didn’t start the fire, but we are every bit as guilty as if we did. It doesn’t really matter that I was born out of wedlock. But what does matter is the fact that I was born with a sin nature. Jesus died to make me legitimate and holy.

So, let me ask you? What’s keeping you from the cross? Maybe you are already saved, but hold some part of yourself back. What is it?

Dear Heavenly Father, Forgive me for my unjust anger against You. No matter what the circumstances, I was born a sinner. I thank you for Your law because it led me to Your love. In Jesus Most Precious Name Amen

Journal

How have you paid because of someone else’s actions?

Was it fair?

How does that seem in the light of the perfect spotless Lamb dying for us?