A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional (Day 48)

Read Today’s Passages (February 17, 2022)

🔴 The Seriousness of Sin

Contributing Writer: Lindsey Capron

The book of Leviticus is the book of the Bible that is cast in the darkest shadows in Christian culture. Pastors hardly want to preach from it, and it’s undoubtedly not enthusiastically discussed in Bible Studies. With its six hundred plus rules on how to live a life that’s pleasing God, it can seem downright impossible to be and do everything that He wants.

Deep between the myriad of rules, rituals, and offerings lie significant details about God’s character when it comes to holiness and how to relate to Him. In Leviticus 4:1-5:19, God speaks to Moses and gives Him clear, specific instructions about sin, guilt, and a solution on how to get them forgiven.

It seems like one would have to jump through hoops to get their sins forgiven.

Between having an anointed priest or elder stand in the gap for the offender (Leviticus verses), the offender having to bring a perfect sacrifice; one without blemish (Leviticus verses), the slaughtering and spreading of blood in a specific manner on the alter, it can all seem like too much.

Some will ask:

What’s the point of all of this?
Why does God require all of this?
Does it really take all of this to be forgiven?”

In Leviticus, God shows that though He’s a compassionate, loving, almighty God, He is still Holy. Because He is holy, He also requires us as His people to be holy (Lev. 11:15). Everything and everyone created that belongs to Him is set apart for His purpose. And we cannot serve or even stand in His presence unless we are pure, sanctified, holy, and free from sin. Also, laying hands on the sacrifice to transfer sin, slaughtering, breaking of the body, and spilling of the blood foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us.

God takes sin very seriously. No matter our status, position, or ranking amongst people. There can be no remission of sin without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22).

Though we don’t need to go to a priest and bring animals to sacrifice for our guilt and sins, we still need to take our sin seriously. Even though Jesus took on our guilt and shame for us once and for all, we should feel convicted when we err.

Our sin affects us and others around us, the world at large, and most importantly, God Himself. Let’s be mindful of going to God in our sin, repent, and give heartfelt thanks that Jesus Christ became sin for us, so we no longer have to be bound to guilt and shame.

PRAYER:

Holy God,

Though Your word in Leviticus can be hard to read, we thank You that Your law led the way to Your Son, Jesus Christ’s ultimate, once and for all sacrifice. We acknowledge that sin is very serious, and You’ve called us to holiness as Your special people. May we always take our sin seriously, knowing that it’s dangerous to our relationship with ourselves, others, and most importantly, You. Let us remember always to offer our hearts as a sacrifice to be made clean from sin.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Connect with Lindsey Capron at www.lovegraceandlight.com

Lindsey is a speaker and blogger of her Christian lifestyle blog Love Grace and Light. Passionate about writing and studying God’s word, Lindsey blogs about the lesson and blessings God gives in the extraordinary and every day with truth and a twist of humor. Lindsey has been featured in both national and international magazine such as VoyageMIA, Shout Out Miami, and Beauty and the Gospel. Lindsey currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL with her wonderful husband, Donovan.

This devotional was submitted by Lindsey Capron, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.