In the context of this verse, Moses was warning some tribes of Israel to do as they promised. They told Moses that they would go armed before the rest of the tribes to war once they enter Canaan. It meant that their tribes would be on the front lines of every battle.

In response, Moses gives them a warning that is just as applicable today as it was back then. These tribes volunteered to be at the forefront of the battles until there was peace and the land had been conquered. Moses warned them that there would be consequences if they did not fulfill their word.

Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 5:5, gives a similar warning: “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” The result of not fulfilling your promise to God is: “be sure your sin will find you out.”

God lets sin have its way in our lives if we do not obey Him. Although it may seem like you are getting away with sin for a time – whether private or public – there will be a price to pay sooner or later!

Payday will come someday! You cannot mock God and disobey Him and get away with it – whether you are saved or not. The saved will be chastised for it, and the unsaved will have all their sins exposed on Judgment Day and then be cast into Hell.

It really does not end there for the child of God. King David is an example. His sin with Bathsheba, and murder of her husband – which he thought only a couple of people knew about – was exposed to the whole nation! Two of his sons later rebelled against him and tried to become king.

When Christians do not go to church – their children probably will not go to church after they leave home, either – and may never be saved. What a horrible price to pay to think that you were responsible for their damnation!

If you have private sin – it affects those around you more than you might think – even if they do not know about your specific sin. So many divorces take place today for this reason – sowing and reaping at play: “be sure your sin will find you out.”

Christian friend, if you harbor some pet sin, why not ask God to help you have victory over it and draw close to Him. The blessing for being what He wants will give you far greater joy and satisfaction in life than sin ever will. He loves you and wants you to have His best. Remember, God gives no rewards for sin in Heaven!

When it comes to going to Heaven, it makes a lot of sense to find out what the Owner of Heaven says about how to get into His Home. Since God wrote the Bible through human authors, it is most important to understand what the Bible says about how to get to heaven.

The Bible was written so that people could know for sure that their sins are forgiven and how to go to heaven. The single answer to these questions is Jesus Christ.

Jesus (the eternal Son of God – John 1:1,12) left Heaven to be born of the virgin Mary. Because He was God, He was sinless. He came for the single purpose to die for our sins. Because the Bible says that we all are sinners (Romans 3:10,23), no human could ever die for someone else’s sins and have God forgive them – let alone their own.

The Bible also declares that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This means that the price tag for committing sin – any sin – against God is eternal death in Hell. The Ten Commandments show us what He expects. The rule is – if you do the crime – you will do the time! Unfortunately, we all have sinned; and therefore, we either get saved and forgiven, or we will pay the price we owe!

Jesus Christ was punished in your place and mine for our sin. The Bible tells us that “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Where most people get how to go to Heaven wrong – according to the Bible – is that they want to work (earn) their way into the pearly gates. The Bible says that this will never happen! Salvation does not come by works! Look at these two verses:

• Ephesians 2:8,9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
• Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

As stated in Ephesians 2:8 (above), note that it says that salvation is “the gift of God.” This is most important. God wants to give salvation to anyone that will accept His gift. He will graciously pardon anyone if they accept His gift – which is Jesus Christ and His payment for your sin.

If you are ready to turn from a life of living for self and want to live God’s way, simply pray and ask God to forgive you because of what Jesus did for you on the Cross. Then ask Christ to come into your heart and life and tell Him that you want to follow His ways. Believe that He will save you when you ask Him to. The Word of God promises: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Once you ask Him to save you, you have this promise from the Bible: “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (I John 5:12).