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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Leviticus 1:4
He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.
In Leviticus we learn about the sacrifices.
There are different ones for different issues and include the ‘good’ - fellowship, wave and first fruits, as well as the ‘bad’ - burnt, sin and guilt. There were strict instructions relating to each and often allowance was included for the different levels of economic status of the people.
As you read them through, a few threads - Rings of Truth - present themselves:
Firstly, they were given because God knew that we would sin and thus be shut out from His presence. But He wanted us to be able to be forgiven and come back into open fellowship with Him.
Secondly, He prescribed ways in which we could worship Him with the goodness He entrusts to us.
Thirdly, we notice that ignorance is no excuse. As soon as we become aware of our wrong, we are to repent, and ask forgiveness whilst ‘offering’ the appropriate sacrifice.
Fourthly, we are ALL included, whether rich or poor. None is exempt.
Fifthly, the sacrifices were for unintentional sins. Deliberate sinning was not expected.
Sixthly, there were strict instructions for how the sacrifices were to be made and which one ‘applied’ to which sin. They couldn’t do just what they liked or thought of doing. There were clear guidelines as to how they were to be carried out and no deviations were allowed.
Lastly, as we see from our highlighted verse, they had to identify themselves with each sacrifice.
All these point to the fact that God is a Holy God. He cannot and will not tolerate sin or allow it to continue without consequence. Since He is just and righteous, He can do no less.
However, He is also a God of love and infinite compassion. He has made a way for us to come back into intimate fellowship with Him. It is fully and freely available, but we have to do it His way, not ours. It is the same for us in Christ Jesus.
None of the sacrifices was complicated - they were all simple; just as it is for us to accept the sacrifice of Christ.
They all encourage us to humble ourselves. We have to confess our sin, we have to acknowledge that the sacrifice is for us alone and that encourages us to repent and not repeat it. So it is with Jesus. We need to be specific - confess our sins, not just say a general ‘sorry’. We need to confess and fully repent. Why is that necessary? Because God wants to provide a full forgiveness and set us completely free, thus breaking the power of guilt to condemn us. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
If our sins have been dealt with, that is the end of the matter and as Paul reminds us, “therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Notice too, with every sacrifice blood is shed. Not the sinner’s but the sacrifice’s. “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (for sin)” (Hebrews 9:22).
Aren’t you glad Jesus shed His blood for you to grant you a full salvation?
Put your hand on His head right now, confess any unforgiven sin and find complete cleansing, peace and joy. Go on, you can be free today.
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