The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner. These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the LORD’s commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart and your own eyes.
This way you will remember and obey all My commands and be holy to your God. I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God; I am Yahweh your God.”     Numbers 15:37-41 HCSB

Before the days of smart phones with calendars and alerts we used to do various things to remind us of what we needed to do. Some tied a string around a finger, some put rubber bands on their wrists. These were visual reminders of things they needed to do.

For many years I shared an office with a highly organized individual who has become like a sister to me. In the last few years, we have become sisters in Christ. One thing I remember about working with her is her intense organization. She had a to-do list for each day. She would write out her list before leaving work so she could remember the things she must get done the next day.

I would sometimes write sticky notes and leave them where I would see them. I loved those week-at-a-glance calendar planning books. They had enough space to write down what you needed to do on a particular day.  And of course, now, when it’s important I just plug it into my phone and set one or two alerts.

The Israelites had an ongoing problem with sin just as we all do. In Numbers 15, God is giving Moses the penalty to be imposed for their sins. For unintentional sins they could give an offering. For intentional, deliberate sins the penalty was higher. For those sins it could mean excommunication. And in verses 32-36 it describes the penalty for a premeditated violation of the Sabbath. The penalty for intentionally violating the Sabbath was death by stoning.

God wanted them to put these tassels on the corner of their garments to remind themselves to follow His commands and obey Him rather than following their own heart’s desires.

That’s a very harsh punishment, isn’t it? Yes, but so is hell.

We need to understand we are sinners, all of us (Romans 3:23). We also need to understand God is not going to overlook it. He expects us to surrender our lives for Him. He gave His Son for us so that we could spend eternity with Him in heaven.

We have a choice to make. We can accept this awesome gift, or we can reject it.

If you knew that your intentional sin would mean you would be brought out and stoned to death, do you think you would use some type of reminder to remind you not to do it? I think I would have a string on my finger, a rubber band around my list and alerts on my phone for throughout the day as reminders.

My friend, sin is serious business, it is literally a matter of life or death. It determines our final destination. Will you spend eternity in heaven or hell?

Always be mindful of the great sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us on that cross. Spend time each day studying His word. Spend time continually throughout the day in prayer.

Our local Bible store sells little pocket stones and coins to remind us of our commitment to the Lord. Find a way to remind yourself throughout the day that nothing in this world is worth losing out on an eternity in heaven. One of the best ways to do this is to stay in constant contact with your Lord and Savior.

Have a great day!