Ezra 9:4-10 ASV, Ezra 9:11 ASV, Ezra 9:12 ASV and Ezra 9:13-15 ASV

When I read this passage today I was struck with Ezra's attitude toward sin. Have you ever asked yourself what a proper view of sin and confession is? I fear that many, even myself, have been duped into thinking that all we say is Jesus forgive me and he forgives us. But it is clear from this passage that Ezra was devastated. I believe that there are two reasons that Ezra had such a view of sin. The first reason is Ezra understood something of the character of God. God is Holy, meaning He is not like us(God is righteous and just, we are not, v.6 and 7). The second hinges on the first. Ezra knew the greatness of what God had done (God is also full of grace, another way God is not like us) You see when we understand God and his view of sin (righteous and just) we will tremble before him. And when we understand that he is full grace, most fully displayed on the cross, we will weep when we fail to obey. Our fear is not that God will not forgive us, but because we have such a reverent fear of God our desire is to please him. My we garnish a holy, reverent, yet grace filled fear of God.