Monday, February 1, 2010
February 2 ... Leviticus 5 - 7 "Glorious Mess"
Leviticus 5: 17-18 "If anyone sins by breaking any of the commandments of God which must not be broken, but without being aware of it at the time, the moment he does realize his guilt he is held responsible." I wonder how much I am unaware of sin in my life? I don't know that I've ever cried over Leviticus---it's hard to read while I'm thinking about how desperate I am and how does this apply? I rather think my tears are from the place where I am this morning. You see, I've been so thinking about my sin, surprised by it. And wondering as I read a Love Letter quote: Because Jesus offered Himself to God for my sin, He is no longer mad at me for my sin. I can't get over the truth that He paid for my sin and He's not mad at me for still messing up. There's such hope for my sin this day. I'm such a mess this morning---but a Saved Mess, a Glorious Mess!
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"If anyone sins by breaking any of the commandments of God which must not be broken, but without being aware of it at the time, the moment he does realize his guilt he is held responsible." Like Annette said the other day, I Praise God I wasn't living in Moses' time. I cannot imagine that kind of pressure, especially with my "perfectionist" personality type. Once again I am reminded of my Catholic upbringing, and all of the traditions, especially around the body of Christ (the host). When I was young, we weren't allowed to touch it, and if it fell on the floor no one would ever dream of picking it up (the "3-second rule"). It wasn't until I was a lot older that I thought about how weird that was to me. Also, I wanted to be a eucharistic minister and when I went to a meeting they explained that if I didn't totally believe that THAT was the body of Christ (not a symbol) then I should leave. ("...you'll be excluded from the congregation"). I did leave the meeting. I didn't believe it with all of my heart. I admit when I read this part of the Bible, it's when doubt starts to creep in. I mean, seriously? Maybe really "worry" sets in, that even when I think I may be doing what I think in God's eyes is right, I may later realize it's not and "be held responsible". Or, maybe it's where Peace sets in... and Praise sets in that He was sacrificed for me, and I realize I am not Jesus and am certainly not perfect or Holy! Again, I am very glad I wasn't alive back then.
ReplyDeleteThanking God for His Grace and Mercy today!
Angie xoxo
p.s. Bev, I wrote my comment before I read yours, so I wouldn't be distracted from my train of thought. We are both thinking the same thing this morning. I keep hoping I'll stop messing up, but Praise God He knows we won't and He loves us anyway. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThese chapters are hard for me to read. I have a difficult time really engaging with the words. It seems like people would have to be bringing offerings ALL THE TIME. And so much blood! I think about how this would work logistically, with all of the animals being sacrificed. I can't even wrap my brain around it. I am getting a better idea of how much God abhors my sin though, given how much blood He requires as payment.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that I wasn't an Israelite in this time. And it makes me all the more grateful that the blood of Christ has paid the penalty for my sin. I never could have measured up on the performance scale.
Last night, in the middle of the night, I remembered a sin from when I was 10 years old. I never even thought of it as a sin until now. I confessed it, and wondered if I should "reopen an old wound" and tell my sister I was sorry. It was, after all, a small thing in the grand scheme, but in the grand Scheme, it wasn't small at all. It was one more reason Jesus died for me. And even as I read in these difficult chapters, I feel overwhelmed by my own sin, and overwhelmingly grateful for His priestly Atonement on my behalf.
ReplyDeleteI think we're all thinking along the same lines this morning. This sin thing is big! And so is His amazing Love.
My husband and I were discussing something and I am praying about if I should do something about it.
ReplyDeleteDuring a very difficult time, I asked a long time friend, but I am not in her inner circle of friends, to please include me when she goes out with the group, that I needed to get reconnected in women's lives and put a little fun back into my life. She never did.
In my heart I have forgiven her. As far as I know she is completely unaware that she hurt my feelings. Annie was wondering if she should open an old wound with her sister and I am wondering if I would create one if I shared with my friend how hurt I was.
I actually felt sad for her. I know if someone came to me and had asked the same of me, I would have made a point to have included and reached out.
At what time do we make another aware of the wrong they may have done?
I pray the Lord would also make me aware of any sin that I haven't come to realize. Thank you Jesus for becoming our High Priest and atoning for our sins once and for all!
Annette, I'm kind of having the same experience you are and I would call mine being consumed by my sin. I think of piddly little things and wonder what to do about it. I don't think I should go digging for sin like a witch hunt but let the Holy Spirit convict me of unrighteousness and let go. What do I need to let go of today? Since we can't get rid of our depravity, we'll always be dealing with sin---HE knows our frame. As far as your sister goes, I just left a message on your cell. Wonder sometimes why we want to do what we want to do? Is it for ourselves? To ge our conscience clear or to free our relatives, our friends? What good will it do? Is it about love? I do think we need to say to our children, our friends, our husbands, our family how God is showing us that we have let them down and have not been there for them when HE convicts us. Sin is no small potatoes. But when we deal with our Holy God, there is peace and forgiveness and rest not anxious thoughts. So what am I mulling over and what is it producing in me? More Love?
ReplyDeleteAnnette, you have such a beautiful heart to me that so honors Him!
Michele, Your comment makes me wonder if I've messed up like lots of times!!!
ReplyDeleteAs a pastor's wife over the years, people value spending time with staff---someone who's there for them. I have women tell me a lot that they want me to call them or include them the next time I do something. There's no way I could respond to every request. I usually don't give a definite commitment back to them but if I do, I do try to follow up. But, oh Michelle, I "miss" people all the time. I'm wondering if you could offer "grace" to this person and let go of it? There may be more to this than I know. The girl may not remember (I wouldn't) or you might know that she really remembered and purposefully did not include you---which is very hurtful. Ask yourself what love would look like in this situation??? For no man can tell you that it is sin if you do this or do that. Only God can sift through the hurt you hold and give you what you need in this. And I believe you will offer grace to this girl, whatever that looks like cause you so want to live right before HIM!
I just read through your blog and so appreciate your humble heart for HIM!
Bev, thanks for your perspective. Before you responded to me, I had read your response to Annette and applied the questions you had asked to my situation. I don't know why the Holy Spirit is dealing with me about this or what to do with it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragment.
--michele
So much detail!
ReplyDeleteI just want to say "Oy Vey!"
I looked that word up because I am not Jewish and found it to mean an expression of exasperation or dismay.
Oy Vey! Did I touch that unclean person as we were at the marketplace? I will have to give a trespass offering, just in case!
Did I overhear that vow my neighbor made? I think I did. I will have to give another trespass offering, just in case!
I'm starting to feel a little anxiety here just reading about the possibilities of sin I MIGHT have committed.
One thing I did read mentioned the fact that these trespass offerings were more for atoning a sin that was injurous towards someone, instead of disobedient towards God.
Isn't that important? God cares about how we sin against Him but He also cares about how we sin against each other.
I guess the best thing to remember about this is The Lord's Prayer. As we ask God to forgive us our trespasses, we must be willing to forgive those who trespass against us.
And think about this. These priests had no idea that they were revealing Christ in these tedious and gory actions. Wonder what we as the church are doing in our own daily acts...that we will finally have understanding for when we are with Him in glory.
Communion
Baptism
Holy matrimony
God's Word hidden in our hearts
Daily quiet time
We will understand it better by and by.
The word "Holy" or "Holiness" is mentioned in the book of Leviticus 80 times. The word "blood" is found 88 times.
ReplyDeleteAs I study Leviticus, I am amazed how 'God had redeemed the nation from bondage; now He wanted to see that nation walk in holiness and purity for His glory. If we have been saved by the blood of the Lamb and delivered from the bondage of the world, then we too ought to walk in fellowship with our Lord (1 John 1:5–10).
We need the blood of Christ, the Perfect Sacrifice, to cleanse us from sin, and we need to obey the Word and walk in purity and holiness in this present evil world.'
As I read and study these chapters of rituals and commandments, I am amazed by the many pictures of Christ and His work of redemption on the cross. He is the truly the only Truth and the Way to our journey to become more Holy and more like Him.
PTL!!!