October 7, 2009
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How could we? (Bible Reading - Leviticus 22)
Continuing reading in Leviticus 22 this morning...
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
18 Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of the house of Israel or of the sojourners in Israel presents a burnt offering as his offering, for any of their vows or freewill offerings that they offer to the LORD, 19 if it is to be accepted for you it shall be a male without blemish, of the bulls or the sheep or the goats. 20 You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you.there is none that seeketh after God (Romans 3:11)
How could we bring a free will offering to the Lord if we couldn't seek Him?
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way (Isaiah 53:6)
How could we bring a free will offering to the Lord if each of us had gone astray turned to his own way?
we were dead in sins (Ephesians 2:4)
How could we bring a free will offering to the Lord if we were dead in sins?
we were yet without strength (Romans 5:8)
How could we bring a free will offering to the Lord if we were without strength?
the carnal mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7)
How could we bring a free will offering to the Lord if our minds were enmity against God?
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works (Colossians 1:21)
How could we bring a free will offering to the Lord if we were alienated and enemies in our minds by wicked works?
How could we?We could not!
Rejoice and boast in God's sovereign grace to sinners:
God Himself did for us what we could not do!
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
–Romans 5:8
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
–Galatians 4:3-5
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
–Ephesians 2:4-9Christ died...
God commendeth His love toward us...
God sent forth His Son...
God redeemed...
God adopted...
God showed mercy...
God loved...
God quickened...
God raised us up...
God saved us by grace through faith...
God gave the faith...What did we do?
NOTHING!
All we could do was receive His gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
We could only love him because He first loved us.May we boast and glory in Him alone for His great gift to us!
How could we do anything but boast and glory in Him alone?
(I'm hoping to post more on the nature of the offering we're to bring in another post.)Related posts:
- Bible Reading: Lamentations 1:12-Is His Sacrifice nothing to you?
- the priest shall make atonement
- Bible Reading: Jeremiah 23--THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
- Why preach the Gospel? bad men need Good News (abridged)
- "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" (Labor Day)
- postcards from England: we're never to give way to false gospels
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Comments (5)
...and the offering we give is what Jesus has already given on our behalf - while we were yet lost in sin, but doing it anyway for those who would accept His free will offering on their behalf. Now THAT is love.
"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world."
Good Morning, Karen
Very thoughtful devotional like reading for me today. It made me feel a little more appreciative of God's great mercy and compassion while I sort of stumble into my daily walk with the Lord.
Blessings
FRANK
@mpwarren and @quest4god@revelife - Amen!
@FRANK@revelife - Thank you, Frank. We should always be remembering God's mercy and compassion to us and remind one another of these things as well. It helps keep our love for Him burning hot and bright.
Blessings in Christ,
Karen