Atonement
Leviticus is a book of atonement. Many people do not understand the concept of atonement. They may think about forgiveness, but often, they do not completely grasp the full meaning of what it means to forgive another person or to be forgiven by someone else, either.(Leviticus 4:20) I believe we need to seek to apply these truths in our lives.
In the Old Testament the priest would offer the correct sacrifice for the specific sin the person had committed. Once the person confessed the sin and participated in the sacrifice his sin was forgiven. The sin was sent away. It was cleansed, so that God did not hold them responsible for that sin any more. Also, the sacrifice brought atonement for the sin. The person was "at-one" with God again. Atonement is "at-one-ment."
Our sins separate us from God.(Isaiah 59:1,2) This breaks our relationship to some degree, even if we believe in Him. For us to be restored, there must be the removal of the sin and the restoration of the close relationship. That is what was accomplished by the sacrificial system in the Old Testament.
Now, once we know Christ, our sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ shed for us on the cross. They are all sent away at once so God does not hold them against us any more. We are cleansed, and our standing before God is just like we had never sinned. However, when we sin after salvation, our sins still interrupt our close fellowship with God. He can't look upon our sin. He knows we are harboring sin in our heart. Therefore, we have to confess our sins specifically.(I John 1:9) Then, the sins are taken away from between us and God, and we are at one with Him once again.
Please, don't let your sins remain unconfessed, because God will not hear your prayers.(Psalms 66:18) You will not have the fullness of joy that comes from walking closely with Him. However, He waits like a Loving Father, ready to forgive and to walk with you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 6-8.
In the Old Testament the priest would offer the correct sacrifice for the specific sin the person had committed. Once the person confessed the sin and participated in the sacrifice his sin was forgiven. The sin was sent away. It was cleansed, so that God did not hold them responsible for that sin any more. Also, the sacrifice brought atonement for the sin. The person was "at-one" with God again. Atonement is "at-one-ment."
Our sins separate us from God.(Isaiah 59:1,2) This breaks our relationship to some degree, even if we believe in Him. For us to be restored, there must be the removal of the sin and the restoration of the close relationship. That is what was accomplished by the sacrificial system in the Old Testament.
Now, once we know Christ, our sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ shed for us on the cross. They are all sent away at once so God does not hold them against us any more. We are cleansed, and our standing before God is just like we had never sinned. However, when we sin after salvation, our sins still interrupt our close fellowship with God. He can't look upon our sin. He knows we are harboring sin in our heart. Therefore, we have to confess our sins specifically.(I John 1:9) Then, the sins are taken away from between us and God, and we are at one with Him once again.
Please, don't let your sins remain unconfessed, because God will not hear your prayers.(Psalms 66:18) You will not have the fullness of joy that comes from walking closely with Him. However, He waits like a Loving Father, ready to forgive and to walk with you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 6-8.