THE UNFAILING DETECTIVE

But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against
the Lord, and be sure you sin will find you out.
Numbers 32:23.
Detective stories are interesting as the law tracks down the
criminals. Watch sin track the sinner in life.
The Reubenities, Gadites and part of Manasseh wanted to remain
on East side of Jordan. Moses finally consented if
they would go up and help rid Caanan of the enemy.
They agreed. Then Moses spoke words of text.
Many interpret it as picturing 'borderline' Christians. Dangerous
to live near border, as Lot found out near Sodom.
Here is a three-fold warning.

I. It is a warning to young people.
A. That sin will mark the face and the body.
B. Sin will steal life's finest opportunities.
C. Sin will bring you down to the end of life in disgrace.
(Preacher preached in pen on "The wages
of sin is death. Asked aged man why he was there.
He answered, "By not minding your text. My mother
warned me of the end, but I now see it." )

II. A warning to all God's people. Warns us of three things:
A. Selfishness. These tribes found a good land and
desired to stay in it. Paul said, "All seek their own."
B. Warns of broken promises. So much sorrow and
heartache result from Christian's breaking promises
to read God's. Word, to pray, to tithe, to go to
church.
C. Warns of indifference and neglect. Had they neglected
to help the other tribes, their sin would
find them.
Indifference will find us out in loss of joy-peace, and
in the lives of our children.

III. A warning to sinners. You are one for "all have sinned."
A. Sin of rejection will find you out in conscience.
B. Also in the hour of death. "The sting of death is
sin." In eternity your sin will find you out. Even
before the Judgment, you will cry for the rock and
mountains to fall on you and hide you from His
face.
Because God is patient, be careful. Ecc. 8:11.