January 31, 2019
Leviticus 6:7
In this way the priest will make atonement for them before the Lord, and they will be forgiven for any of the things they did that made them guilty.
New International Version (NIV)
                 Can we really be forgiven when we fail?   How does God actually forgive us and “atone” for our sin?  A new article in Christianity today asks the question, “Does atonement make sense?”  Eleonore Stump has written a new book explaining that God’s story is a love story.  He loves us all so much that he wants to reconcile us to himself. 

                Remember when Adam and Eve sinned they were banished from the Garden of Eden.  Then God chose one family to bring humankind back to himself.  They end up in Egypt and then God delivers them from Pharaoh.  But while they are in the desert, they make a lot of mistakes.  How will they be forgiven, or “atoned” for?

                The book of Leviticus shows us the ways that God offers forgiveness.  If a person cheats or steals or lies, they have to make restitution for their sin.  They also bring a guilt offering to God (6:6).  Then the priest takes the sacrifice, offers it to God so that they will be forgiven. 

                Thankfully, we are no longer bringing animal sacrifices to God.  Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament laws by becoming the once and for all sacrifice for all the sins of all the people in the world.  As we trust in him to save us he becomes our Savior.  In many of the creeds and confessions of faith, the Christians of centuries past would say in worship, “I believe in the forgiveness of sin.”  How about you?  Do you trust God to forgive you?  Jesus said that people who believe in forgiveness not only ask God to forgive them, but forgive others who have harmed them.  Good news:  we can be forgiven and we can forgive others.  Today.
Pray with me:    
Father, we thank you for providing for our forgiveness through the once for all sacrifice of your only Son.  Let your kindness lead us to repentance today.  Help us to believe we are to forgiven and to live lives offering forgiveness to others, freely, as we have freely received.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.      
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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