Why is obedience to God's commands in Leviticus 3:15 important for believers today? Setting the Scene “...the two kidneys and the fat that is on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, he shall remove with the kidneys.” (Leviticus 3:15) What the Original Command Meant • Part of the fellowship offering: every bit of fat belonged to the LORD (Leviticus 3:16). • Israelites were forbidden to eat fat (Leviticus 7:22-25). • The choicest, richest portions were lifted up as worship, acknowledging God as Provider. Timeless Principles Behind the Fat and Kidneys • God deserves the best, not the leftovers (Proverbs 3:9). • Holiness extends to daily, physical details (Leviticus 11:44). • Obedience is better than any substitute we invent (1 Samuel 15:22). • Sacrificial patterns foreshadow Christ, the perfect offering (Hebrews 10:10). Why It Still Matters for Believers Today • Reverence for God’s Word – Every sentence carries authority; honoring a “small” command trains us to honor all of them (Matthew 5:18). • Recognizing Jesus’ Fulfillment – The fat signified the richest part given wholly to God; Jesus offered His whole life without reservation (John 10:18). – Grasping the symbolism deepens gratitude and worship (Hebrews 9:23-24). • Whole-Life Stewardship – Our bodies now belong to Him; we steward what we eat, do, and think (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). • Pattern of Giving God the Best – Time, finances, abilities—He still asks for firstfruits, not leftovers (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). • Training in Obedience – Faith grows by responding to specific instructions—even those that seem mundane (Luke 16:10). • Reminder of Separation from Sin – Just as the fat was removed and consumed by fire, believers separate from fleshly desires and let God purify them (Galatians 5:24). Practical Ways to Live Out This Obedience • Start each day by surrendering every “rich” area—plans, appetites, resources—to the Lord. • Treat eating, exercising, and resting as acts of worship, offering your body to God (Romans 12:1). • Give first, not last, to kingdom work when income arrives. • Study the sacrificial system to recognize fresh facets of Christ’s finished work. • When Scripture confronts lifestyle choices, respond quickly and wholeheartedly, trusting God’s wisdom. Key Takeaways • Leviticus 3:15 reminds believers that God claims the very best. • The command shapes a heart of full-bodied worship, trains daily obedience, and spotlights Jesus’ complete, perfect sacrifice. • Honoring even the smallest biblical details refines a life that says, “Lord, everything rich in me is Yours.” |
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