Gravity of Sin

"If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally

and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands,

even though the community is unaware of the matter,

when they realize their guilt

and the sin they committed becomes known,

the assembly must bring a young bull

as a sin offering and present it before the tent of the meeting.  The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull's head before the LORD, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the LORD. . .

In this way the priest will make atonement for the community, and they will be forgiven.

Then he shall take the bull outside the camp and burn it as he burned the first bull.  

This is a sin offering for the community."

Leviticus 4:13-15, 20-21

I could only imagine the flies that would buzz around the altar, drawn to the blood sprinkled and poured there.  The priests must have become quite proficient at slaughtering animals of all sizes, as often as they were called to do the job.  It took quite a bit of work in order for atonement to be made for the sins of God's people.

Looking at the Old Testament law, it is clear that sin is an affront to God.  Even though He is a merciful God, He is also just, so my sin is not easily forgiven.  In fact, there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. (Hebrews 9:22)  

This necessity of a blood sacrifice in order for atonement to be made drove Jesus to the cross where He offered Himself as the final and perfect sacrifice.  Due to the shedding of His blood, I am made clean, a holy God's requirements having been satisfied, and a way for me to boldly approach His throne being completed.  Atonement has been made, once for all.

It is obvious by the lengths that must be taken that sin is a grave problem.  How does the gravity of sin influence the way I live?

Sensitivity

When I first laid eyes on the dirty sweater, I didn't want it to touch my skin.  As I examined its heaviness, though, and realized the warmth it would bring, I no longer minded the filth so much.  Instead of holding it at arm's length, I now snuggled within its depths as it protected me against the cold night air.

In the same way that I grew comfortable with the grime of an abandoned sweater I had found while on a camping trip, I can compromise with sin in my life.  Instead of keeping it at bay, I can make provisions for it, allowing what I know to be wrong into my life by justifying its presence.

When I know my language is to honor God, for instance, but I slip back into old habits, rationalizing that the words I say are not that big of a deal, I may soon find myself sinking deeper and deeper into a worldly way of using language. (James 3:10) Before I know it, I'm starting to think and speak the way I did before I knew Christ.

When I know that I must guard my heart against the ungodly influences I see on television but my favorite actress shows up in a questionable new sitcom,  I decide to watch just this once.  (Proverbs 4:23) Soon, I'm caught up viewing all sorts of programs that demean the values God holds dear.

When I know that bad company corrupts good character but I am attracted to the charismatic, raunchy personality of a new colleague, I may soon find myself imitating her ways. (1 Corinthians 15:33)

In order to realize the gravity of sin in my own life, I must guard against growing insensitive to it.

Pursuit of Holiness

We only used the heirloom china on holidays and special occasions.  In order to keep it looking nice and to protect it from wear and tear, we stored it up high in a separate cupboard.  When we washed the set after a meal, we took great care to not chip or scratch each piece.  This dinnerware was set apart for special use.

In a similar way, I am set apart for special use.  As His child who was bought at a price, I am called to hold holiness in the same high regard as does God.  This does not mean that I can be perfect in all I do, but that I am to see the importance of keeping myself pure for His purposes.  (1 Peter 1:16)

Therefore, I must be on guard against my own flesh, realizing my natural desires and inclinations run counter to God's ways. (Galatians 5:16-18) If I were to simply do what comes naturally, I would live in a way that dishonors God.  Instead, I am to intentionally seek a holy life, taking every thought captive and examining every action to make sure it lines up with God's ways. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

In order to realize the gravity of sin in my own life, holiness must be important to me.

Never Forget

The wall stands as a reminder of the great cost of freedom.  Hundreds of names engraved upon the smooth, granite surface draw forth from me a sorrow for the lives lost on a foreign battlefield.  The Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. helps the American people keep fresh upon their minds the sacrifices made in the name of liberty.

In the same way that it is important for me to remember how many men and women gave their lives so I could live freely, I must never forget what Jesus did for me in dying on the cross.  My very identity as a sinner saved by grace is tied up in that bloody sacrifice.  When I lose sight of the lengths God went through to make me right with Him, I am at risk of regarding my salvation lightly.

For this reason, I need to preach the gospel to myself often.  Jesus took my sin upon Himself, taking the punishment I justly deserve so that I could come into a right relationship with a holy God.  Even more amazing is the fact that Jesus suffered separation from His own Father at the hour of His greatest need so that I would never need experience such agony. 

When I keep this unspeakable sacrifice fresh upon my mind, it colors my life.  Prayer becomes a precious pursuit as I realize it's impossibility apart from Christ.  God's Word breathes new life into my bones as I understand the sacrifice that was made so I can experience it's power in my life.   Every breath I take becomes a gift given by a God who loved me enough to save me from certain death.

In order to realize the gravity of sin in my own life, I must never forget what Jesus did for me.

Looking at the Old Testament law, I realize how grave is my sin problem.  This gives me a different perspective on my sin, driving me to stay sensitive to the sin that so easily creeps into my life.  I also realize the importance of pursuing holiness and keeping the sacrifice Jesus made fresh upon my heart.  In these ways, the gravity of sin changes the way I live.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can be repulsed by sin.

When do I feel comfortable with certain sins?

How can I keep the sacrifice Jesus made for me fresh upon my heart?

Why am I Here?

"For even the Son of Man 

did not come to be served, 

but to serve, 

and to give his life 

as a ransom for many."

Matthew 10:45

Jesus did not have an identity problem.  He knew His purpose and the position He chose in this world and this knowledge shaped His life as a man.  When He entered His creation as the long awaited Messiah, many were expecting a King who would be exalted over all the nations and a Savior who would save them from their worldly troubles.  What they didn't expect was the reality of God's plan for the King of Kings and Savior of the world!

Servant  I learned how to serve my husband by watching my younger sister in her marriage.  When it's time to eat, she dishes him up first, no matter how hungry she is.  She thinks of little ways to serve him throughout the day by anticipating his needs while he's at work, or getting certain chores done that she knows are important to him.  She possesses the heart of a servant.     Jesus possessed this same spirit.  He chose to lower Himself to the position of a subordinate in order to please His Father.  He did not expect to be treated in a certain way, but instead humbled Himself for the sake of those He loves: His Father and His people.  In this season of giving that generates incredible stress and high expectations, how can I humble myself for the sake of my Father and those He has placed around me?

Donor  I have heard stories of people who have given vital organs, such as a kidney, to a complete stranger in order that they might live.  These kinds of stories always make the news because they are so rare, but there is always some kind of pay off for the donor.  It could be simply a feeling of goodwill that they receive as a result of this selfless gesture, or it could help them move beyond some feelings of guilt for past wrongs that they have committed.  Whatever the reason, humans are incapable of selfless sacrifice in and of their own strength.  Jesus, however, gave His life selflessly and He deserves to make the front page headlines each and every day.  He was only thinking of His love for His Father and His desire to obey Him, as well as His love for mankind who is powerless to repair his broken relationship with God the Father.  Jesus gave His life so that I might live, and live a full and meaningful life, not just an existence. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." (I Peter 2:24)  Christmas has become a time when I focus on meeting expectations and creating memories for my family and friends.  How is this honoring the sacrifice Jesus made for me?  I am redeemed by His blood and are free to live for Him.  In living for Jesus, all other pressures will fall away until He is all that remains.

This Christmas season I will remember the reality of Jesus.  The King of Kings became a servant, and the Savior of the world appeared as a life-giving donor.  This did not meet the expectations of the people, but it was just as God had planned and this plan can change the way I view my purpose as His child.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can focus on God's plan for me and not on the expectations I have for myself, or that others may hold over me.

How do I minimize the sacrifice Jesus made for me, especially as I celebrate Christmas?

Where am I exalting myself above those around me in the attitude I carry?  

Sacrificial Giving

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect,

go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven.

Then come, follow me.”

Matthew 19:21

When most Americans think of "sacrifice," we think of giving up dessert or going without cable TV for a day.  But sacrifice is more than that.  "Sacrifice" is defined as the surrender of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.  If I look at everything God has put into my care in light of this definition, is there anything higher or more important than God and His calling on my life?  Or, putting it another way, do I love my stuff, my time or my family more than I love God?

Obedience  When God puts something on my heart, I can choose to obey, or to not obey.  The choice I make illustrates where God stands on my list of priorities.  Jesus put God first as demonstrated by His choice to obey God no matter the cost.  He was "obedient to death—
even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8b)  What am I willing to give up in order to obey God?  My reputation?  My house?  My family?  My life?

Cost  David would not give a sacrifice that didn't cost him anything. After he had foolishly taken a census of his men to know the might of his army, putting his trust not in the Lord but in the number of his troops, God punished him with a plague on his people.  Then He ordered David to go to the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite and build an altar to the Lord there.  When Araunah offered to give the land for the altar to him, David refused.  He said, "I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” (I Chronicles 21:24b)  David knew the importance of giving a sacrifice that cost him something.  What am I willing to give that costs me something?

The Least of These  When was the last time I paid any attention to the homeless man draped across the park bench, or the eyes of the scruffy-looking child who lives up the street and is always hanging around outside, or the desperation of the drug addict who can't seem to get his life together?  Jesus taught that at the end of time, when He is sitting on his glorious throne and all the nations are gathered before Him, He will separate His sheep from the goats, or those who followed Him from those who didn't follow Him.  From among His followers, He invites them to take the inheritance, the kingdom prepared since the creation of the world.  Then He thanks them for feeding, clothing and giving Him something to drink when He was in need.  Confused, the believers' questions are answered when Jesus said, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  (Matthew 25:40)  What am I doing to care for the forgettables: those who are easy to ignore in our society?

Love  Sacrificial giving is the idea of giving time, resources or talents that cost me something.  It is not easy, but it is a true act of love.  As Jesus taught His disciples, love is our hallmark.  He said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can look for ways to give sacrificially.

How am I ignoring those around me who need a dose of God's love?

Where am I holding on to things, or time,  that could be used by someone who needs it more than I do?

Looking For Love

Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:12-13

I think we've all seen the t-shirts, steering wheel covers, and other items emblazoned with the script, "Love Kills Slowly."  Humans have a low view of love, mostly using the word to describe a romantic passion between a man and a woman.  The pattern of this world is that I give my heart to a man. Inevitably the man will hurt me and I will die a little each time until the final blow comes when that "love" leaves me for another.  Then the process starts over, killing me slowly over time.  But if we want to know what real love is, we must look to God because God is love!  (1 John 4:8)

Undying  God's brand of love does not tear us down and kill us over time because His kind of love is perfect and holy.  Real love is not a feeling, but an unselfish concern for others and, ". . . love builds up." (I Corinthians 8:1)  When we try to love, or be loved, the human way, we will always be disappointed.  God, however, will never let us down in this same way.  I can trust Him with my heart!  The Apostle Paul understood this kind of love as evidenced by the following . "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)  God's love can be counted on!

Sacrificial  Love involves some kind of personal sacrifice because, by definition, it is other-centered.  When we love someone as Christ has loved us, that means we do whatever is in their best interest.  That could mean risking my life by running into a burning building to save a stranger, or to take the time to help my husband even when I have a million other things to do. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice by taking the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross so that our relationship with God could be restored.  

Servant-like Loving others the way God loves us means we will get dirty.  Before Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples, he performed an extraordinary act. He removed his outer garments, bent down on the floor, and washed his friends' feet.  During this time period, washing one's feet was a lowly task left to the servants.  But Jesus demonstrated a servant's heart in his willingness to lower himself to perform this act of love.

Do I look for love in all the wrong places?  I need look no further than God, who will completely fulfill my need for love, freeing me to love others the way He loves me.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can love others as God has loved me. 

Where am I stingy with my time, resources and talents?

How do I elevate my desires above the needs of those God has placed around me?

All of Me






Kale

   
 Mixed Messages   We have a cat named Kale who is the most frustrating little thing!  Sometimes, I can walk right up to him and pet him while he drools and purrs in ecstasy.  Other times he plays coy and keeps just out of reach while he arches his back, his chest rumbling with delight as if he wants nothing more than some affection, but never lets me touch him.  Then there are the times when he runs away as if he doesn't even know me.

My Heart   This is how I am with God!  Sometimes I readily accept all He has for me, luxuriating in His tremendous love and grace.  Other times I say I love Him and want Him to have His way in my life, but I stay just out of reach.  Then there are the times when I run away from Him as if I don't even know God, choosing instead to do things my way.



Midnight



Available   God wants us to be like our other cat, Midnight.  He readily accepts any affection I am willing to offer, without complaint and with great abandon.  He greets me as soon as I wake up with a friendly flick of the tail, and is available to me throughout the day.  There is never a time when he runs away with fear, but is content to accept whatever comes his way. 



Lukewarm   God revealed some harsh messages to a church in John's Revelation.  The report directed at the church of Laodicea is especially alarming.  They were neither hot nor cold, but indifferent.  This reminds me of the times when I say I love God, but I still insist on relying on my own strength instead of His.  "I got this Lord, you don't have to worry about this problem. . . I've got it under control."  What a dangerous attitude.  God told the church at Laodicea that, ". . . because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)  If I say I love God, I better let Him have all of me!

Warning   Isaiah delivered the same kind of message to the people of Judah during the time of the divided kingdom.  God wanted His people to know that He wanted nothing of their heartless traditions.  As you read God's Words below, put it into today's context and let God speak to your heart regarding your own attitude. Keep in mind that He is speaking to His own people, yet referred to them as Sodom and Gomorrah.  Ouch!

Hear the word of the LORD,
   you rulers of Sodom;
listen to the instruction of our God,
   you people of Gomorrah!
¹¹ “The multitude of your sacrifices—
   what are they to me?” says the LORD.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
   of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
   in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
¹² When you come to appear before me,
   who has asked this of you,
   this trampling of my courts?
¹³ Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
   Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
   I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
¹⁴ Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
   I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
   I am weary of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands in prayer,
   I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
   I am not listening.

(Isaiah 1:10-15)

God is tired of my coy behavior and disingenuous worship.  He wants all of me.  And He wants all of you. 

My prayer as I begin this day is that I will willingly accept all God has to offer me, and not hold back anything from him.

Where am I running away in fear from God? 

Where am I exhibiting an indifferent, coy attitude toward Him?