The Offerings of Leviticus

During the time the book of Leviticus was written, most cultures of that day practiced with sacrificial systems.  There are three main features to what separated Israel from the rest of the cultures of that day.  First, most cultures of that day, especially Mesopotamians, believed that by studying the insides of an animal they could predict the future.  This was not present in the Israelites religion.  Second, the Israelites sacrificial system was linked to a conventional relationship with their God.  Other cultures were not.  The sacrifices were a huge component in the covenant bond between Israel and God.  Third, there was the concept of holiness tied to the sacrificial system, which none of the other culture did not have.  To Israel, “holy” was based on the moral and ethical nature of God.

 

The Romans Road to Salvation

Romans 3:10-  As it is written: “there is no one righteous, not even one.

Romans 3:23-  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:8-  Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death came to all men because all have sinned…

Romans 6:23-  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Romans 10:9-  That if you confess with you mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:10-  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with you mouth that you confess and are saved.

Romans 10:13-  For, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

What Do You Believe?

There is an end coming!  How and when it comes, none of know.  Some think they know, but the one thing that we all can agree on is that there is a day coming soon that Jesus will be coming back for his church.  I believe very strongly that this day will be soon than later.  Matthew 24:4-5 Jesus says, “Watch out that no one deceives you.  For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”  One reason to be a student of the bible is to know when you hear or are being taught false doctrine.  A rule that I have always lived by is not to question everything.  For example, just because I hear a preacher teach a certain doctrine in church on Sunday does not necessarily mean that it is true.  I need to study it out, and see if after my own study of the matter, that I come up with the same conclusion. 

 

Hypocrites

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cummin.  But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness.  You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.  You blind guides!  You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.       Mat. 23:23-24

These guys are very legalistic.  They always make sure they give their tenth of spices, and in full view of everyone.  They want to make sure everyone sees them doing it, and probably how much they are giving for that matter.  But yet, they ignore the matters that are of great importance to God, justice, mercy and faithfulness.  They have no problem doing the little stuff and what is easy for them, but when it comes to the harder stuff, they ignore it.  They have a huge arrogant pride about themselves.  What is most important to them is getting praised by men, not praising God.  They will quickly condemn anyone who does not tithe, for example, but when it comes to a matter of justice or mercy, which is the office that they are holding, they pick and chose when and what they do.  They don’t take the scriptures and make decision based on what God would want done, but what benefits them the most. 

 

Pride

The greatest among you will be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.                    Mat. 22:11-12

Pride is such a huge obstacle for all people.  I know in my own life it is one of the most difficult challenges that I face on a daily basis.  I never realized how selfish I was until I got married.  I always thought of myself as a pretty good guy who likes to help when I can.  But after I got married, my wife and I had soe difficult times, and the reason for that was my pride always kept getting in the way.  My Pastor refers to wives as the second holy spirit.  We should be open to the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our lives when we sin.  However, sometimes, including myself, I be come selfish and am blinded to the sin I am doing because of my pride.  That is where my wife comes in, because she will at times notice my sin and is more than willing to point it out.  In a good way though!  I am grateful for that too.  Because through that, will my personal relationship with Jesus Christ continue to grow deeper.