How can we apply the principles of confession and atonement in our lives today? Setting the Scene “ ‘And he is to sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering against the side of the altar, and the rest of its blood is to be drained out at the base of the altar; it is a sin offering.’ ” (Leviticus 5:9) What the Original Worshiper Saw • The worshiper watched the priest collect blood—life poured out—to cover sin. • The altar stood as the place where guilt met God’s provision. • Nothing was left to imagination: sin costs life; forgiveness costs blood. Timeless Principles Drawn from the Verse 1. Sin is real, deadly, and separates us from God. 2. Confession is specific: each wrongdoing required its own sacrifice. 3. Atonement is provided by God, not earned by the sinner. 4. Blood—the giving of life—secures cleansing. Confession: Owning What God Exposes • Psalm 32:5: “I acknowledged my sin to You… and You forgave.” • Proverbs 28:13: hiding sin hardens; confessing brings mercy. • 1 John 1:9: confessing aligns us with the One who is “faithful and just.” Practical reflections – Call sin what God calls it. – Confess promptly; lingering guilt breeds distance. – Include both attitude and action; God sees the heart. Atonement: Trusting the Substitute • Hebrews 9:22: “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” • Hebrews 10:10: “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” • Romans 3:25: God presented Christ “as an atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood.” Implications – Rest in Christ’s finished work; no self-penance can add to it. – Approach God confidently (Hebrews 4:16) because the blood covers fully. – Respond with gratitude-driven obedience, not guilt-driven striving. Linking Old and New Leviticus 5:9’s sprinkled blood → Luke 22:20’s “This cup is the new covenant in My blood.” The shadow and the substance meet: the altar pointed forward; the cross fulfills. Living It Out Today Daily rhythm 1. Examine: invite the Spirit to search (Psalm 139:23-24). 2. Confess: speak sin aloud to God, agreeing with His verdict. 3. Receive: thank Him that the blood of Jesus has already answered the charge. 4. Walk clean: refuse the enemy’s accusations; cling to Romans 8:1. Corporate rhythm • James 5:16 encourages mutual confession—safe, gospel-saturated community. • The Lord’s Supper rehearses atonement: remember, rejoice, recommit. Practical Next Steps – Keep a short account with God: end each day with honest confession. – Memorize key atonement verses (e.g., 1 Peter 1:18-19) to silence condemnation. – Celebrate forgiveness: gratitude fuels holiness better than shame ever could. Sin is serious, but Christ’s blood speaks a better word. Confess freely, trust fully, and live forgiven. |
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