Why The Gospel Is So Important….

Here’s a thought many have never entertained in their minds: when we sin, regardless if we realize it or not, we are still guilty. In the OT, specifically in the book of Leviticus (probably the reason why many haven’t thought of this, because they’ve never read it), when someone sinned, either be it the high priest, leader, or community, when they realized it, they were given a specific task to be done that would make them right with God again. In order to be forgiven, blood must be shed, i.e., an animal must die. I’ve heard people say all kinds of things about God, specifically those that oppose Him, or think He’s something He’s not, and if they really knew Him, how kind and forgiving He really is, they probably wouldn’t ever say the harsh, critical words they do. The problem with society as a whole is we are all guilty. We are all sinners. And God has provided us with a way to be right with Him. It still requires the shedding of blood, but Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross was a once-and-for-all acceptance by God for us. If God loves us, and He’s provided a way to be restored to a relationship with Him, how can anyone have a harsh opposition to Him? The only answer is that they don’t realize their guilt in their sinful nature. That’s why the Gospel is so important. It presents a mirror into the life of unbeknownst sinners and provides a way to be made right with God again (forgiven of their sin). Guilt does an amazing job dictating people’s lives. But to think people want to live under that bondage rather than in God’s love, just doesn’t make sense. Present the Gospel today to someone, and watch a slave be set free. Watch a blind person see. And watch a deceived person be freed by the truth. To think this all came out of reading a chapter in Leviticus. It pays to be in the Word.

13 “If the entire Israelite community sins by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but the people don’t realize it, they are still guilty. 14 When they become aware of their sin, the people must bring a young bull as an offering for their sin and present it before the Tabernacle. 15 The elders of the community must then lay their hands on the bull’s head and slaughter it before the Lord. Leviticus 4:13-15

22 “If one of Israel’s leaders sins by violating one of the commands of the Lord his God but doesn’t realize it, he is still guilty. 23 When he becomes aware of his sin, he must bring as his offering a male goat with no defects. Leviticus 4:22-23

27 “If any of the common people 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

Through this process, the priest will purify the people from their sin, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven. Leviticus 4:35c