February 16, 2022
There is confusion among many Christians regarding the Old Testament laws. There are some laws that we realize we are not bound by in our era. Most of these are particular CEREMONIAL laws that were tied to a pre-Christ system. These laws, given to the Jews, were designed to fulfill the spirit of the law, but done in ways that pictured the coming Christ.
Leviticus 6:1-7 gives us a great example as it tells the Israelites what to do when a man steals and lies to another.
The basic principle of this law is this: if you have stolen or lied to your neighbor it is a sin, not only against him, but against God. So, you need to do two things:
1. You must realize your sin against God and get right with Him.
In the OT era you were to bring a "guilt offering to the Lord." Now that Christ has come, we come to the cross, confessing our sins (getting honest and repentant) and finding our forgiveness through Christ at the cross.
2. You must realize your sin against another, confess it, and make restitution.
You must pay them back, plus 20% more in restitution. If you will remember, this is what Zacchaeus did when he got right with the Lord (Luke 19). He immediately made amends with those he'd defrauded. It's exactly what Jesus tells us to do in the sermon on the mount. If our brother has something against us, we need to go get it right with our brother (Matthew 5:23-24).
The spirit of the law is the same. The only difference is the ceremonial sacrificial system of the OT is replaced by the fulfillment of Christ--His cross and resurrection--of the NT.
But here’s the most important thing as we read this passage: have YOU sinned against God and against your brother? If so, heed what God has said (in both OT and NT). Clear your conscience fully with both God and man!
Father, search my heart. Show me everything and anything that I have done against You or others. Give me the grace to humbly admit my sin and seek your forgiveness. And help me approach those I’ve sinned against to clear my conscience and make restitution as needed. Help me not delay, but to do this today.
March 27, 2025
When our faith is sufficient to lead us to actually follow God’s plan, we will always see that it is “good, acceptable, and perfect.” These words, as always, are important.
March 11, 2025
God knows what He is about. Always include in your request the greatest prayer—the prayer of surrender. “Lord, Your will be done.” This is the prayer, when humbly prayed, that will always be answered and yield the most valuable result from the God who loves us best ... even if the answer is hard.
March 05, 2025
Every created man or woman must make their choice. What will you do with God? Will you embrace or reject Him? Draw near or run away? Trust and serve Him or doubt God and serve yourself? This foundational choice determines everything.
