Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.

Leviticus 3

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Ecclesiastes 5:1

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - looking at chapter three - Peace with God - covering 3:1-17, looking specifically at the theme We Enjoy Fellowship with God.  Here the commentary focuses on the order of the sacrifices as laid out in Leviticus 1-3:

1. Leviticus 1: burnt offering represents atonement for sin
2. Leviticus 2: grain offering represents thanksgiving, gratitude, and worship of God
   
3. Leviticus 3: peace offering represents reconciliation (peace) with God

 This third offering, the peace offering is described in my commentary as enabling us to be "ready for communion with God.  We fellowship with Him.  Fellowship with God is not like fellowship with anyone else. Because of His holiness, our sin must be removed and because He is God, we have to come into His presence carefully."  We are urged to look elsewhere in scripture where it discusses a proper approach to worship - see Ecclesiastes 5:1 and Exodus 3:5.  The message is clear - God cares about how we approach Him. The commentary also seeks for us to look at Genesis 37 where Joseph's brothers were unable "speak peacefully to [Joseph]."  The commentary indicates that the same word "peacefully" is the same word translated and used Leviticus 3. Throughout the Bible this word is used to discuss peace between others and - He wants us to be on good terms with Him.  The commentary also points us to Leviticus 7 where God describes how He directs worshipers to use part of the animal sacrifice for a meal that is be consumed in the temple area. "[E]ating in the presence of God symbolized fellowship with God--a happy, right relationship with God." Such a fellowship offering is now represented through Jesus as communion. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - You loved me while I was an enemy of Yours and You died for me...You also provide for me in immeasurable ways and You desire fellowship with me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues.  Worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:1-11

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:11

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued my study of chapter six The Blessings of Justification By Faith, which covers Romans 5:1-11.  My focus today is Romans 5:11 which my commentary refers to with the heading We Exult in God Himself. With focus on this single verse, I reflect on the meaning of reconciliation and it brings to mind a return to God's design of our relationship with Him.  In the beginning (Genesis 2), before The Fall, man and woman lived in the Garden of Eden and there was no sin and no shame. Sin entered the world and since that time, sin separates us from God.  Jesus death on the cross gives us forgiveness of sins and we are restored to God's design for His relationship with us.  We should rejoice in reconciliation. 

My commentary wants us to read this verse and rejoice in God. It offers (quoting Tim Keller) six signs of rejoicing to God:

1. Your mind is deeply satisfied with the doctrine of justification by faith.  You rejoice in it by studying it and speaking about it to others. 
2. You only think of your past in terms it. You don't say: What a mess made of it there!  Instead you say: Me, a Christian! Despite my deep flaws, despite my record!  Yet it is absolutely true!
3. When you discover in yourself a new character flaw, ...the discovery does not make you doubt God's love.  Rather it makes you feel closer to him, and his grace for you becomes more precious in your sight. 
4. When your conscience accuses you and says: How could God love you after what you've done? you don't try to answer with reference to your performance. 
5. When you face criticism, you don't say This is totally unfair.  You rejoice gently inside with thoughts like, Well, I'm really a much worse sinner than they know but....Well may the Accuser roar, of sins that I have done: I know them all, and thousands more: Jehovah knoweth none. 
6. When you face death, you do it with serenity because you are going to a friend. 

 #5 in particular can sometimes be painful as I am often defensive but I shouldn't be. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and I get to walk with You!  Your Son, the Word, the Holy Spirit - all of it!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the reconciliation You bought for me. My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me...anger, etc. Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.