Leviticus 16-18

Leviticus chapter 16 introduces the theology of atonement through the instatement of Yom Kippur as an annual day of atonement. The word atonement in Hebrew is 'kaphar' which means to cover or to make reconciliation, in the sacrificial system of Mosaic law the blood of animal sacrifice was sufficient to cover the sin of the people of Israel. The blood of a bull and goat on the day of atonement was a lasting ordinance a day of cleansing from sin, a forgiveness in an old testament sense.

Leviticus 16:30 (NIV) "...on this day of atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins."

Blood cleanses. The author of the book of Hebrews writes, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness," atonement is the restoring of relationship with God through the blood of a sacrifice. Cleansing blood atones through opening wide the door of redemption, the beauty of the story of God's glory is that the old sacrificial covenant was redeemed by Christ who is the sole mediator of the new covenant. The blood of Christ covers a multitude of sins, His death sets mankind free from the grip of sin and death once and for all, all we must do is respond through repentance and faith. 

Hebrews 9:28 (NIV) "Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many;"

Romans 3:24-26 (NIV) "... all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood - to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance heh had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."

Man cannot be in relationship with a holy God without resolving sin. Nothing man can do resolves sin, no amount of good works or anything we do at all contributes to righteousness. Only a holy and pure mediator, who is as perfect and good as God can bridge the gap - that mediator is Jesus the Messiah, who is both God and man: perfect and sinless. Jesus lived the perfect sinless life, not needing atonement or forgiveness of sins himself but instead bore the sin of the world as a sin offering and through his bloodshed and death atoned the price of the entirety of man's sin - taking it entirely upon himself (substitutionary atonement). Atonement for sins was achieved through God's one and only Son, Jesus Christ - the worthy and spotless sacrifice. Christ's death means those who believe have been made right with God and the beauty of the new covenant is that we do not have to slaughter bulls, lambs and goats rather through faith alone (belief) that Jesus is who he said he is, repent or turn from our sins and walk in obedience: the act of faith through daily and ongoing surrender of the will to God for his purposes and glory. 

I Samuel 15:22 (NIV) "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."

We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone - for the Glory of God according to the authoritative Word of God alone through confession with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and belief in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. This is my soteriology, this is amazing love. 

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