Sunday, June 23, 2013
TEXT: LEVITICUS 5:14-19
Key Verse : “If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering” (Leviticus 5:15).
“God, then, is more earnest for me to be saved than I am to be saved! He so loved the world that He gave His Son. He loved not saints, not penitents, not the religious, not those who love Him; but the world, secular men, profane men, hardened rebels, hopeless wanderers and sinners! He gave not a mere promise, not an angel to teach us, not a world to ransom us, but His Son – His only begotten Son! So much did God love the world, sinners, me! I believe this. I must believe it; I believe on Him who says it. How can I, then, do otherwise than rejoice?” – Martin Luther.
The provision for “atonement” with God in the Old Testament was a sacrifice of an animal without any blemish upon the altar. The offerer was deemed ceremonially clean and forgiven of his sins, after the sacrifice. Even then, the snag with the old provision was that the sacrifice could not cleanse the conscience, neither could it stop the propensity to sin.
The Love of God for man moved Him to perfect the provision of “atonement”. He replaced the sacrifice of goats, rams and bullocks with His Son Jesus Christ. True remission and forgiveness of sins come through the blood of the sinless, blameless Son of God, Jesus Christ. A sincere seeker now has unlimited benefits through this new sacrifice. Not only does it provide atonement, there is cleansing of the conscience to remove guilt, condemnation and shame. Grace is also given to “go and sin no more”.
No wonder, Martin Luther exclaimed: “How can I, then, do otherwise than rejoice?” How can you also do otherwise? See the love, mercy and grace unmerited and undeserved! Plunge into this privilege and enjoy unlimited peace and love from the exalted Saviour.
Thought for the Day : “Grace so amazing and totally undeserved”.
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