AP

Leviticus 5:5-6  … when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.  As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin.

If there is one thing that brings me abundant joy and comfort as I read through the Book of Leviticus, and that causes me to pour out my heart in untold gratitude to my Heavenly Father, it is that I live on this side of the Cross of Christ!  God’s Chosen People on the other side of the Cross, if they had a similar disposition to me, would have been continually anxious about ways in which they might have broken God’s Law without even knowing it!  At least God had made a provision for them to gain forgiveness and acceptance by bringing an appropriate sacrifice for their sin as soon as they did become aware of it!

This is the sort of thing that would be occupying King David’s mind when he wrote the prayer: “But who can discern their own errors?  Forgive my hidden faults.” (Psalm 19:12).

This side of the Cross, I don’t have to suffer this sort of anxiety.  Although I know I am a sinner, and that I am continually guilty of sins of omission as well as sins of commission even if I might never know for sure the full extent of them, I can still sing confidently with Stuart Townend: “This, the power of the cross, Christ became sin for us, took the blame, bore the wrath, we stand forgiven at the cross.”

I have enough trouble with the sins I know about, and who knows how many there might be, about which I have not yet become aware?  And I really identify with Charitie Lees de Chenez: “Before the throne of God above I have a strong, a perfect plea: a Great High Priest, whose name is ‘Love’, who ever lives and pleads for me.  My name is written on his hands, my name is hidden in his heart; I know, that while in heaven he stands, no power can force me to depart.  When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look, and see him there who put an end to all my sin.  Because the sinless Saviour died, my sinful soul is counted free, for God, the Just, is satisfied to look on him, and pardon me.”

Yes, with Isaac Watts, “When I survey the wondrous Cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count as loss and pour contempt on all my pride. … … Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an off’ring far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” 

– Bruce Christian