I am continuing my studies of the book of Zechariah using Richard D Phillips’s commentary from P&R Publishing (Phillips, 2007). Chapter 5 is so interesting! There are two visions given to Zechariah by God. The first vision is of a flying scroll. I almost immediately upon reading this vision saw a flying carpet! So in keeping with tales of Arabian nights. Only this vision was very solemn in its message of judgement by God.

The essence of the first vision is summed up by Phillips as “sin discovered, sin judged, and sin removed”. The two sins specifically mentioned are the sins of theft, and of using the name of God falsely. Phillips make reference to the symbolism as pointing to the two tablets of God’s law to Moses on Sinai (Exo 19). And how the nation of Israel had broken the key laws before God.

I realized from this passage of Zechariah that whenever I miss who God is, and is to me, I am already in danger of falling into sin of breaking His commands. God’s commands reflect who God is. He is gracious, merciful and compassionate. His laws are an expression of His mercy. Designed to keep us from the danger of sin. Sin which exposes us to His enemy. His enemy whose stated purpose by Jesus is “to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). God’s laws are a fence to help us know and realize safeguarding boundaries. God always commences His self-revelation to His people which in and of itself is a gracious movement. God coming to us is “Immanuel”. That He would stoop, and condescend to draw near to us is already such grace!

God comes to us in His grace and mercy. He invites us into a relationship of grace and mercy. That grace and mercy is shared with us as He draws us. Being drawn into this relationship of grace and mercy, His self-revelation to us necessarily means that we are exposed to His “apartness”, or transcendence as well. There is no one like Him. He alone is God. The very concept and meaning of God mean One like no other. And the implication is clear. God necessarily means that His creation worships Him, and Him only. Worship means an understanding that God is sovereign over all of life, and my life in particular, and personally.

Israel had forgotten these truths. The revelation of God to His people through Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings did not stop His people from sinning against His grace and mercy to them. They went all the way to murdering His appointed Messiah, the Only One who can save them, and keep them saved.

Today, God’s people, and especially, the people of God who professes themselves as “gospel-centered”, and “Christ-centered”, continue to walk in the footsteps of their Israelite forefathers. I continue to be in trepidation at the huge amount of activity associated with this segment of Christianity. A segment which I am a part of. A segment which I identify with. A segment that has been a blessing to me since I found it almost twelve years ago.

I am grateful for the gospel recovered through the ministry of the late Rev Dr Timothy Keller, from the Redeemer Manhattan Presbyterian Church . These twelve years have seen me grow like never before in grace and faith before God, and men. And now I see how the “movement”, and the “ministry”, have become means and ends in themselves. A very scary moment for myself. Another indication that we are never too far away from the idols of the idol producing factory in our hearts (an idea attributed to the 16th century Reformer, John Calvin).

The moment the policies, statement of beliefs, and practices of a local body shows “cherry-picking” of gospel beliefs, it is usually an indication that the gospel is somewhat “lost”. The article has been lost (to use a phrase attributed to Martin Luther, another chief Reformer of the same period as Calvin), and the “hinge” has fallen (John Calvin).

The psychology behind men and their beliefs would show that the stronger the belief a person holds-usually in concert with others-the tougher the “blind spot” to be discovered, made aware, and realized.

Luther realized this. His “ekklesia reformata semper reformanda“, the church reformed and always reforming was his passion that the gospel of Christ was the chief and ultimate presupposition for the continued renewal of the people of God.

Whenever a pastor or Christian leader and a leadership team refuses to self-examine whether they have moved even the smallest degree away from Christ in His gospel, the movement away from the gospel has already begun.

This prophecy of Zechariah is timely for all earnest believers and congregations. This prophecy when internalized allows for deep soul-searching led by the Spirit through His Word. How are we “robbing” God, and His people? Have we through our own carelessness in “abiding in Him” (John 15:1-8) drifted away from the truth and grace of the gospel of Christ? We are not exempt from curses brought about by disobedience. Gal 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.“

Curses for disobedience is not only for unbelievers who are under God’s wrath. God’s fatherly chastisement stemming from His holiness requires sin to be discovered, judged and removed, especially for His chosen people, a holy nation, a kingdom of kings and priests unto Him (Rev 1:5).

Sin must be confessed to God, in penitence and contrition, with faith prompting our hearts to receive the justification by faith in Christ’s finished work upon the cross and receiving afresh His commendation of grace. Grace that found us in our sins, and did not leave us in our sins. Grace that reached us with the Word of Life, grace that washed us, and made us “sit together with Him in heavenly places” (Eph 1:3), together with all His spiritual blessings of union with Christ through the Spirit’s empowering presence in our hearts.