How often do you read through the book of Leviticus? It's not exactly one of those you turn gingerly to for comfort or are able to reminisce about in lieu of that favorite verse you learned as a child from. Leviticus is a bunch of do's and don'ts: It's a book of laws. Now, I've never asked a lawyer, but I don't even think it gets them excited. Sentimental perhaps, but not giddy.
Why is it so important for us to read today? We live under grace, so why bother with the old laws?
First, we need to realize that we can never appease God with our own abilities. Not only was Leviticus a book to show the Israelites what they must do to reconcile to God for the wrong they do, but it also screamed at them that they were unable to keep even those “appeasements” perfectly. It's a great reminder of how unclean we are in our flesh. Do you realize that the word “unclean” is used 110 times in Leviticus alone? And the word “uncleanness” is used 19 times! No wonder Isaiah fell on his knees before the Lord and cried, “Woe to me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the Ling, the Lord of Hosts.” Isaiah 6:5 We desperately need grace in order to be cleansed. Praise God He made it available to us! “For it is by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8
Another point about Leviticus, which should bring a bit of happiness, is that we don't have to follow those rules! Every time I read them I get tired. Can you imagine trying to follow them? The lack of ulcer medicine alone from stress over keeping them saves me a fortune. This is not to say our actions don't matter, they just don't hinge on it. It's our heart – our motivation – that matters most now, “... because we are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14b) Reading Leviticus should make us want to shout our thanksgiving and praise to Jesus Christ for just part of what He saved us from!
Go read a few chapters today, and every time your mind wanders or gets bogged down praise Him that we live under His marvelous grace!
Showing posts with label Bible-Isaiah 6. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible-Isaiah 6. Show all posts
Friday, February 26, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
A Cool Thought
Read the following verses and watch the video:
John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that had been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.
Colossians 1:15-17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation; because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.
A Cool Thought
Revelation 21:5-8
Then the One seated on the throne said, "Look! I am making everything new." He also said, "Write, because these words are faithful and true." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to the thirsty from the spring of living water as a gift. The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all the liars - their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
It breaks my heart for so many....
Isaiah 6:9-10 "And He replied: 'Go! Say to these people: Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. Dull the minds of these people; deafen their ears and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back and be healed.'"
John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that had been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.
Colossians 1:15-17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation; because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.
A Cool Thought
Revelation 21:5-8
Then the One seated on the throne said, "Look! I am making everything new." He also said, "Write, because these words are faithful and true." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to the thirsty from the spring of living water as a gift. The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all the liars - their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
It breaks my heart for so many....
Isaiah 6:9-10 "And He replied: 'Go! Say to these people: Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. Dull the minds of these people; deafen their ears and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back and be healed.'"
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