Aware

Reading: Leviticus 4-6; Acts 14 27 If any of the citizens of Israel sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but they don’t realize it, they are still guilty. 28 When they become aware of their sin, they must bring as an offering for their sin a female goat with no defects. (Leviticus 4:27-28 NLT) Sometimes I can really get bogged down in details when I’m reading through Leviticus. I start to wonder why God put all this stuff about bulls and goats and the fat around the kidneys in the Bible for us to wade through when we’re just wanting to find something to help us live better lives. This morning, God’s message sort of snuck up on me. More a whisper than a shout, but his word to me nonetheless! Chapters 4-6 of Leviticus are about what to do when one sins against the Lord or other people. I realized that I can be guilty and not know it! I can be disobedient to God’s preferred and best plan for my life. I can be doing something that hurts my wife or kids or a friend. I can be just going along, sinning, and not even realize it! But when I become aware of my sin, it’s time to do something about it!
• It’s time to confess it (bring the goat to the altar, lay my hand on it, and say, “Sorry! I was wrong! I’m going to stop doing that!”). Think a goat is expensive? What about the cost of humility and confession!
• It’s time to make it right with those I have hurt (sinned against). It may be words, it may be restitution, it may be a change in behavior, but it’s time for action!
• It’s time to receive forgiveness and get on with my life. My fresh, new, forgiven and cleansed life! Friends, is there some sin that God is nudging you to awareness of today? Is there something you’re doing that’s no longer appropriate to the “You” God wants you to be now? Is there something you’re doing or not doing that’s hurtful to others? When you become aware, it’s time for action! Grace to you today as you respond in obedient faith! Prayer: Father, Thanks for gently sneaking up on me today through these verses from Leviticus! Thanks for showing me that you can speak to me from Leviticus. Thanks for making me aware of the simplicity of your right ways. Please keep me sensitive enough to be aware of, and responsive to, your Spirit’s promptings today. Amen.