Reflection on
Leviticus 16:1–34
In
spite of God’s desire that we be holy, he is fully aware that we will not
remain free from sin. But because he loves us and is gracious to us, he
provides a way for our sins to be forgiven. In the Old Testament, the
Israelites were cleansed from sin annually on the Day of Atonement. This yearly
event was a picture of the atonement that would be accomplished through Jesus’
sacrifice. Since Jesus died and rose from the dead, and offered himself to pay
for our sins once and for all, we are cleansed through his work and can rely on
his forgiveness moment by moment.
CALLED TO BE A SAINT
To
those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who
in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours
Have
you noticed that one of the most frequently used words of identity for
Christians in the New Testament is saint ? A saint is literally a holy person.
Yet Paul and the other writers of the Epistles used the word generously to
describe common, ordinary, everyday Christians like you and me. For example,
Paul's salutation in 1 Corinthians 1:2 reads: "To the church of God which
is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by
calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
their Lord and ours."
Notice
that Paul didn't say that we are saints by hard work. He clearly states that we
are saints by calling. Some of us have bought into the mentality that saints
are people who have earned their lofty title by living a magnificent life or
achieving a certain level of maturity. No way. The Bible says you are a saint
because God called you to be a saint. You were "sanctified in
Christ"--made a saint by participating in the life of the only true holy
one, Jesus Christ.
Many
Christians refer to themselves as sinners saved by grace. But are you really a
sinner? Is that your scriptural identity? Not at all. God doesn't call you a
sinner; He calls you a saint--a holy one. If you think of yourself as a sinner,
guess what you will do: You'll live like a sinner; you'll sin. Why not identify
yourself for who you really are: a saint who sins. Remember: What you do
doesn't determine who you are; who you are determines what you do.
Since
you are a saint in Christ by God's calling, you share in Christ's inheritance.
That which is true of Christ is now true of you, because you are in Christ.
It's part of your identity. You are not the great "I Am," but with
Paul you can say, "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians15:10).
Prayer: Your grace and Your
calling in my life are totally undeserved, but it is my privilege to claim my
inheritance. Thank You, Father. Thank You, Jesus.
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