Broken Rules – Broken House

Read Leviticus 5-8
 
Leviticus 7:37-38 These, then, are the regulations for the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering and the fellowship offering, 38 which the LORD gave Moses on Mount Sinai on the day he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to the LORD, in the Desert of Sinai.
 
WHAT do you do when someone breaks the rules of your household? Perhaps a child disregards your rule to help with certain household work each day. It’s not a big deal is it? Of course it is. You have set a rule for the order of your home. The child breaking that rule disrupts the home. He also shows disrespect for you who provides the home and for the others who obediently live there. You have provided a home. He disrespects the home. That’s sin. And when the child sins, you want him to be sorry he’s broken the rule. Your desire is he asks forgiveness and changes his ways. He repents.
    It’s like that in God’s “household”. As a good Father, the LORD God  taught and commanded the Hebrews to “clean up their room” – to do what’s right in each aspect of their lives. See that he even taught them how to approach him with humility to desire forgiveness. The LORD required these ways because his will was for their hearts to be truly sad over their sins. Their “I’m sorry.” was to come from the heart with a sacrifice of their best animals and grains.  
    God still wants honest, repentant hearts in his household, the church, today. In Christ, you are his child who has vowed to follow him with a loving heart. That’s what you mean, isn’t it, when you call Jesus, “My Lord and Savior.” He’s your Lord. That means you love and obey him. You reverently seek his forgiveness when you break the rules. Know these things are true: Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. And 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
    You know these words are true. God’s commands are a sure foundation to a love relationship with him. The Father obeyed his own commands. Even though he had not sinned, he gave his best – his one and only Son – to the cross for your sins. He has commanded the way for you to be safe in his house forever. Know. Listen. Obey. Love.
 
Pause and Consider: you know what to do.