Bible Study - Holy - Blessings of Holiness - Leviticus 26 - April 28, 2013

Bible Study – Holy – Blessings of Holiness – April 28, 2013

This is our final lesson in our series entitled “Holy God, Holy People.”

Our scripture is Leviticus 26:3-13, 40-42, 45.

This to me has been a Spiritual eye-opening series of study. HIS desire is to bless those who have an intimate loving relationship with HIM, through CHRIST. But with blessings come responsibility.

As Christians, we get caught up in seeking the power of GOD and not the presence of GOD in our lives. When we have the presence of GOD, we have the power of GOD.

When we accept CHRIST as our Savior, we begin our walk with CHRIST and GOD, forgiven, pure, righteous and Holy. Most of us do not fully comprehend it. As we journey through life, GOD reveals more and more of and about Him to us through the circumstances we encounter. Many Christians think that GOD should not allow anything bad to happen to them but GOD uses the circumstances in life to perfect us and lead us to fully trust in HIM and to minister to fellow humans.

Consider this, where is the Promised Land since the passion of CHRIST? Is it the United States? Is it Israel? It is heaven. The Kingdom of GOD is established upon earth in the hearts and through the lives of every Christian. Wherever Christians live upon earth establishes GOD’S Kingdom. When Christians compromise their stand for CHRIST and adopt the ways of the area where they live that is contrary to the leadership of GOD, that area suffers. Will we, as Christians in America, continue to compromise our walk with CHRIST? If so, America will suffer.

Christians have been set free from the bondage of sin and Spiritual death. But with this freedom comes the responsibility to be accountable to HIM. Even though Christians are secure in their relationship with GOD through CHRIST, they are accountable for their actions. They are to walk, live in communion and fellowship with GOD through CHRIST.

This has been the heart of this series of study. Christians do not have to run to the temple to sacrifice animals every time they sin because CHRIST’S shed blood paid the sin debt in full – past, present and future. They confess their sins and repent, which means to stop doing that sin or those sins. When they confess their sins, GOD cleanses and restores.

One may ask, “If your past, present and future sins have been forgiven, why do you need to confess them?” Confession is agreeing with GOD. Sin breaks fellowship with GOD and compromises our relationship with GOD. As we have seen in our studies, we commit sins unknowingly. The Holy Spirit reveals them and when HE does, we are to confess them. By doing so, it removes the opportunity for Satan to use this un-confessed sin to distract us from focusing upon serving our LORD.  

GOD’S desire is to have a 24/7 active relationship and fellowship with HIS children. HE wants Christians to live in relationship with HIM. That means to be totally immersed and consumed by all aspects of HIM and HIS presence in our lives. Does this mean that Christians run around in long robes and chant? No!!! It means that in everything we do we see and acknowledge the hand in of GOD in it. It is an interactive life with GOD through our relationship with CHRIST, as we walk upon earth. As I mentioned in the beginning of this lesson, “Christians seek the power of GOD when we need to seek the presence of GOD.” GOD is jealous and will not share HIS children with the manmade gods that we, as humans, desire.

Our scripture begins with GOD telling HIS chosen that very thing in verse 1. Verse 2, is a command from GOD to HIS chosen. In essence, GOD knew they were living in a land where the inhabitants worshipped all sorts of gods. The pagan worshippers attributed all sorts of prosperous results to these false gods. GOD was guiding HIS chosen, who were building a relationship with HIM, not to be duped into embracing these false notions that these man-made gods had any power because HE was in charge. HIS chosen needed to keep that in mind or else they would be ensnared by false ideology.

Christians do some strange things even today. I heard a Christian realtor talking about burying the stature of Joseph upside down in the front yard of a house a client was trying to sell. It sold. Satan ensnares anyway he can. Some may say, well the house sold. That is precisely the way Christians get duped. Christians must trust GOD in all things and HIS timing. 

Often, Christians see non-Christians prosper and wonder why GOD allows them to prosper materially while they suffer. When we live in right relationship with GOD, through CHRIST, we are content with the state we are in because our desire is to obediently serve GOD as directed by the Holy Spirit. It is vital that we understand that Christians can be in a bad situation because of disobedience. That is one thing but when we are in the will of GOD and in a bad situation, that is another. Christians may be in a so called bad place when they are in the will of GOD but it is for a purpose. Consider the three Israelites who were thrown in the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to the golden stature. GOD had a reason and purpose for them and HE was there with them. The result was victory. (Daniel 3:1-30)   

Let’s read Leviticus 26:1-10: Covenant Blessings and Discipline 

1 “Do not make idols for yourselves, set up a carved image or sacred pillar for yourselves, or place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am •Yahweh your God.

Do we make idols today? Absolutely!!! We make them out of a career, living to embellish ourselves in the things the world has to offer - getting stuff. There is nothing wrong with many of these desires but it is a matter of whom or what controls our lives.

2 You must keep My Sabbaths and revere My sanctuary; I am Yahweh.

GOD was telling HIS chosen, in essence, “As you live in the Promised Land, stay focused upon ME. Keep in mind Who led you to the place where you live. Keep in mind that the entire earth belongs to ME and I don’t share you with any other gods or perversions.”

3 “If you follow My statutes and faithfully observe My commands,”

GOD said, if you, then I will. Most Christians look at this as a promise for material prosperity, which it can be but the most important promise is the presence of GOD in our lives. It is not that, as Christians, GOD is not present in our lives through the indwelling Holy Spirit; it is that we fail to acknowledge and embrace HIS presence. Often, we think of GOD as being in some other place than present in us. GOD’S presence is personal and precious. HIS desire is for us to seek the fullness of HIM as we interact with HIM daily. Notice the number of “I wills” in our next scripture.

4 I will give you rain at the right time, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest, and the grape harvest will continue until sowing time; you will have plenty of food to eat and live securely in your land. 6 I will give peace to the land, and you will lie down with nothing to frighten you. I will remove dangerous animals from the land, and no sword will pass through your land. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword. 8 Five of you will pursue 100, and 100 of you will pursue 10,000; your enemies will fall before you by the sword. 9 “I will turn to you, make you fruitful and multiply you, and confirm My covenant with you. 10 You will eat the old grain of the previous year and will clear out the old to make room for the new. 11 I will place My residence among you, and I will not reject you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people. 13 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, so that you would no longer be their slaves. I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to live in freedom.

GOD’S promises are just as applicable today as the day HE spoke them. Christians are HIS chosen. HE tells Christians to live in lockstep with HIM and HE will blow their mind as they see HIS hand at work. Now a caution, if our desire is to have prosperity, we will fall upon our faces.

No, it is all about relationship and abiding in the presence of GOD through CHRIST. CHRIST makes it possible for Christians to have the right relationship with GOD but they need to maintain that relationship.

Christians do not need to go to the sanctuary or temple to meet with GOD. CHRIST made it possible for the Holy Spirit to dwell within each Christian 24/7. Christians are never without the presence of GOD in their lives but un-confessed sin can block their fellowship.

As we continue to read, we see the flip side of GOD’S commands.

Let’s read Leviticus 26:14- (Notice the escalation of GOD’S wrath as HIS chosen do not change their ways. Also, notice the word “if.” In this case “If” means choice. GOD always gives HIS chosen a choice and how they choose is very important.)

14 “But if you do not obey Me and observe all these commands— 15 if you reject My statutes and despise My ordinances, and do not observe all My commands—and break My covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will bring terror on you—wasting disease and fever that will cause your eyes to fail and your life to ebb away. You will sow your seed in vain because your enemies will eat it. 17 I will turn against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even though no one is pursuing you. 18 “But if after these things you will not obey Me, I will proceed to discipline you seven times for your sins. 19 I will break down your strong pride. I will make your sky like iron and your land like bronze, 20 and your strength will be used up for nothing. Your land will not yield its produce, and the trees of the land will not bear their fruit. 21 “If you act with hostility toward Me and are unwilling to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times for your sins. 22 I will send wild animals against you that will deprive you of your children, ravage your livestock, and reduce your numbers until your roads are deserted. 23 “If in spite of these things you do not accept My discipline, but act with hostility toward Me, 24 then I will act with hostility toward you; I also will strike you seven times for your sins. 25 I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance of the covenant. Though you withdraw into your cities, I will send a pestilence among you, and you will be delivered into enemy hands. 26 When I cut off your supply of bread, 10 women will bake your bread in a single oven and ration out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied. 27 “And if in spite of this you do not obey Me but act with hostility toward Me, 28 I will act with furious hostility toward you; I will also discipline you seven times for your sins. 29 You will eat the flesh of your sons; you will eat the flesh of your daughters. 30 I will destroy your •high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your dead bodies on the lifeless bodies of your idols; I will reject you. 31 I will reduce your cities to ruins and devastate your sanctuaries. I will not smell the pleasing aroma of your sacrifices. 32 I also will devastate the land, so that your enemies who come to live there will be appalled by it. 33 But I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw a sword to chase after you. So your land will become desolate, and your cities will become ruins. 34 “Then the land will make up for its Sabbath years during the time it lies desolate, while you are in the land of your enemies. At that time the land will rest and make up for its Sabbaths. 35 As long as it lies desolate, it will have the rest it did not have during your Sabbaths when you lived there. 36 “I will put anxiety in the hearts of those of you who survive in the lands of their enemies. The sound of a wind-driven leaf will put them to flight, and they will flee as one flees from a sword, and fall though no one is pursuing them. 37 They will stumble over one another as if fleeing from a sword though no one is pursuing them. You will not be able to stand against your enemies. 38 You will perish among the nations; the land of your enemies will devour you. 39 Those who survive in the lands of your enemies will waste away because of their sin; they will also waste away because of their fathers’ sins along with theirs.

With freedom comes responsibility.

Let’s read Leviticus 26:40-46: (GOD’S love toward HIS chosen – forgiveness, when they confess or agree with HIM that they have missed the mark.)

40 “But if they will confess their sin and the sin of their fathers—their unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, and how they acted with hostility toward Me, 41 and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled, and if they will pay the penalty for their sin, 42 then I will remember My covenant with Jacob. I will also remember My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. 43 For the land abandoned by them will make up for its Sabbaths by lying desolate without the people, while they pay the penalty for their sin, because they rejected My ordinances and abhorred My statutes. 44 Yet in spite of this, while they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject or abhor them so as to destroy them and break My covenant with them, since I am Yahweh their God. 45 For their sake I will remember the covenant with their fathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God; I am Yahweh.” 46 These are the statutes, ordinances, and laws the Lord established between Himself and the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai.

GOD keeps HIS promises/covenants. GOD is a promise maker and keeper and not a promise breaker. GOD does not forget. When GOD remembers, it is HIS call to action.  Notice the word “if.” People have a choice. GOD has revealed both good and evil in our scripture for this series. HE revealed the results of obeying HIM versus disobeying HIM. Evil choices have evil and often predictable consequences. Obeying HIM results in happy or good consequences. GOD’S grace is revealed in these last verses. GOD’S desire is for all people to come to HIM through CHRIST.

The Bible is very clear that we are accountable for our sins. The Apostle Paul stated it clearly in Romans 6:23: (Amplified Version)

23 For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.

JESUS established a new covenant through HIS shed blood and HIS willingness to give HIS life to pay the debt for sin in full for all who place their faith in HIM.

Let’s read Leviticus 26:40-41 using the New Living Translation:

40 “But at last my people will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors for betraying me and being hostile toward me.41 When I have turned their hostility back on them and brought them to the land of their enemies, then at last their stubborn hearts will be humbled, and they will pay for their sins.

I understand hostility of the people toward GOD but what about GOD’S hostility toward the people. Often, we think GOD is being mean to us until we see that what we thought was mean was actually was for our good. When we see this; our attitude toward GOD changes. When they saw truth and Christians see truth we confess and repent of our hostility toward GOD. We finally see HIS love and grace toward us.

When we do, HIS chosen confess not only their sins but the sins of their fathers. Often, our attitude toward GOD springs from our heritage. GOD was telling HIS chosen not to embrace certain pagan practices which might have been handed down by their fathers. When we see truth, we do not hold it against our parents for not revealing truth to us.

GOD’S desire is for each person to know truth and embrace truth. This is true of Christians. We can adopt false teaching, preaching, traditions which have been handed down because of family practices and traditions.

GOD spoke of the uncircumcised heart. The uncircumcised heart is the opposite of a circumcised heart. A circumcised heart is a contrite heart/life dedicated and committed to obediently serve GOD. A circumcised heart is a life in fellowship and relationship with GOD through faith in CHRIST and the miracle of rebirth.

If you have never asked CHRIST to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life/heart, now is the best moment to become a Christian. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Holy - Living in Holiness - Leviticus 18 and 20 - April 21, 2013

Bible Study – Holy – Living in Holiness – April 21, 2013

This is lesson three in our series of study entitled, “Holy God, Holy People.”

Our scripture is Leviticus 18:1-5, 20-26; 20:6-8.

The laws and instructions in Leviticus can be divided into two groups, casuistic laws and apodictic laws.

Casuistic laws are laws when violated have instructions on what to do to redeem yourself, such as “If you do this --, then this is what you do --.” If you touch a dead person, this is what you are to do.

Apodictic laws or commands can be positive or negative such as “You shall do so-and-so” or “You shall not do so-and-so.” The Ten Commandments are apodictic laws.

Many of the verses in Chapters 18 and 20 are apodictic laws. They are for GOD’S chosen to follow in order to maintain the moral purity and right relationship that GOD desires. Sin is a barrier between GOD and HIS chosen. JESUS removed the sin barrier by HIS shed blood, which removed the need to make a blood sacrifice for our sin. But sin must be confessed before GOD to maintain the right relationship with HIM. Depending upon what we have done, we must take the necessary action as prompted by the Holy Spirit and GOD’S Word.

Let’s read Leviticus 18:1-5:

Prohibited Pagan Practices

1 •Yahweh spoke to Moses: 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: I am Yahweh your God. 3 Do not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, or follow the practices of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You must not follow their customs. 4 You are to practice My ordinances and you are to keep My statutes by following them; I am Yahweh your God. 5 Keep My statutes and ordinances; a person will live if he does them. I am Yahweh.

GOD spoke to Moses and told him to speak. This was like GOD telling Moses, “Now pay close attention to what I am going to speak to you because I want you to speak to MY children/Israelites an extremely important message.” GOD wanted the Israelites to know that “I AM the LORD your GOD.” GOD had chosen them to be HIS people. HE wanted them to know that HE was the ONE Who saw their plight in Egypt and delivered them. HE also knew that they had been exposed to and possibly participated in or were intrigued by some of the pagan worship practices of the Egyptians. HE, in essence, was saying this is a new day because now you know that I AM GOD and I AM Holy. Therefore, you are not to do the things you did in Egypt. The Egyptians were worshipping dumb gods made of wood or stone but you are worshipping the true living GOD Who rules both earth and the heavens.

When Christians are delivered from the bondage of sin and their old life, GOD makes it clear, that they are to leave their old lifestyle behind. They are to obediently follow HIM and trust HIM for all things.

GOD told them that HE had delivered them for a higher calling. Remember our first lesson in this series, GOD’S desire was for them to be priests and a Holy nation representing HIM to other nations that did not know HIM. HE had prepared them to enter into the Promised Land, their ultimate destination. Arriving in the Promised Land is not without responsibility and accountability.

GOD knew that in the Promised Land there were those who may entice them to do things contrary to HIS desire for them. HE told them not adopt any of their ways or practices. HE reminded them that were a Holy people set aside to represent HIM. They were not to walk in the ordinances of the people in the Promised Land.

We like to think when in Rome do as the Romans do. GOD says, NO!!!

GOD was saying, “Here is what I want you to do. You shall keep MY ordinances and walk in them because I want you to keep in mind that I have chosen you. I AM the LORD, your GOD.” GOD made it clear as to what they were to do when they got to the Promised Land.  In essence, “Don’t forget who you are and Who you represent.” The same is true for Christians today.   

We fight hard to achieve and obtain, which is good, but often we forget that it is GOD Who gave us the success. HE placed us in the right place at the right time to obediently serve HIM. But has our success compromised our witness and lifestyle? If that has happened to you, just keep in mind that when we confess our wrong doings, GOD forgives and restores. So stop wallowing in self-pity, repent and obediently serve HIM. As long as there is life in your body, GOD has a plan for you.

GOD told them to keep HIS statutes and judgments/ordinances with a promise. If a man keeps these, he shall truly live because he will be empowered by them: “I AM the LORD.” When a person is in the center of GOD’S will, that is as good as it gets. Power comes by living according to GOD’S statutes and ordinances because you are not compromised. HIS Word has power and living according to HIS Word results in abundant living. Notice HE used the word “if a man does or lives accordingly.” GOD always gives humans a choice. HE tells us what to do but it is up to us to respond. As the old saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.” Are you willing to drink from the fountain of living water?

I am convinced that someone reading this lesson is wrestling with a decision. I urge you to place your hand into GOD’S hand and ask HIM to forgive you and to make out of you what HE desires you to be. Now, thank HIM for forgiving you, saving you and using you to obediently serve HIM.

Look at what JESUS said in John 10:10:

10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.  

Let’s read Leviticus 18:20-26:

20 You are not to have sexual intercourse with your neighbor’s wife, defiling yourself with her. 21 “You are not to make any of your children pass through the fire to •Molech. Do not profane the name of your God; I am Yahweh. 22 You are not to sleep with a man as with a woman; it is detestable. 23 You are not to have sexual intercourse with any animal, defiling yourself with it; a woman is not to present herself to an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion. 24 “Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves by all these things. 25 The land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants. 26 But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances. You must not commit any of these detestable things—not the native or the foreigner who lives among you.

In the scripture between verses 6-19 GOD covered all sorts of sexual perversions. These were practices of those who had inhabited the Promised Land and GOD made it clear that they were NOT to be enticed to practice any of them. The Promised Land was a land flowing with all the good things but they were not to be fooled into thinking that the prosperity of those being vomited out did not come from HIM. HE had allowed their prosperity to prepare them to have an abundant, thriving place to live. HE was driving out the current inhabitants to make room for them. Keep in mind there were about 2 million Israelites who were moving into that area.

GOD clearly states in verse 20 that HE detests adultery and adultery is a sin. Sin is sin. There are not big sins or little sins. Bearing false witness is sin, such as gossip. There are sins that impact others in a variety of ways.

That is what intrigued me with our last lesson. GOD opened up areas where we, as Christian’s, fool ourselves into thinking we are being so pious. The question we need to ask ourselves is, “What is in our hearts?” We need to be honest with where we are as obedient servants of GOD through CHRIST. CHRIST equips us to be honest before GOD. GOD’S desire is for HIS children to worship HIM in Spirit and truth. Just be honest before GOD because we all are sinners saved by the blood of CHRIST Who gave HIS life for all who will place their faith in HIM and by the grace of GOD.

Molech (MOH lek) was an Ammonite deity, to whom children were possibly sacrificed by being thrown into fire. The reference to fire is absent from the Hebrew text. Some Bible scholars think this referred to parents giving up their children to become temple prostitutes. Either way you look at it, it is detestable and GOD hates it and made it clear that the Israelites were NOT to even think of considering such abominations.

Our next subject is front and center in our world today, homosexuality. A man is not to have sex with another man or an animal. This applies to women as well. A woman is not to have sex with an animal. GOD finds these actions detestable. Take note that GOD said, “Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves by all these things. Verse 25, “The land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants.”  

GOD is in-charge. We have the freedom to choose perversions but just bear in mind with freedom, comes responsibility and accountability. GOD has the final say and is the judge. When we are being vomited out of our land it is too late. Notice those being vomited out were leaving a land of prosperity. America wake-up!!! GOD considers these things detestable. Keep in mind that GOD loves the sinner but hates the sin.

Keep in mind that this is GOD speaking to Moses in order for him to tell the Israelites. Those obedient to GOD cannot ignore the things that GOD finds detestable, even as Christians. Sin blocks our relationship with CHRIST and GOD but as true Christians we never lose our salvation or the fact that we are GOD’S children. But we can lose rewards that can only come through obedient service as led by the Holy Spirit. Sin blocks that path. Our lifestyle can rob us of our eternal rewards but not our salvation, if we have been truly saved.

Just keep this in mind; Satan will make sure that the things that appeal to the flesh will be over the top in order to enslave you. When they do, they will control you to the point of destruction and rob you of having the right relationship with GOD.

Let’s read Leviticus 20:6-8:

Molech Worship and Spiritism

1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Say to the Israelites: Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to •Molech must be put to death; the people of the country are to stone him. 3 I will turn against that man and cut him off from his people, because he gave his •offspring to Molech, defiling My sanctuary and profaning My holy name. 4 But if the people of the country look the other way when that man gives any of his children to Molech, and do not put him to death, 5 then I will turn against that man and his family, and cut off from their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves with Molech. 6 “Whoever turns to mediums (familiar spirits) or spiritists and prostitutes himself with them, I will turn against that person and cut him off from his people. 7 Consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am •Yahweh your God. 8 Keep My statutes and do them; I am Yahweh who sets you apart.

GOD begins here as HE did in our previous section. HE told Moses to pay special attention to what HE was going to tell him in order for him to accurately pass it along to the Israelites. Any Israelite or foreigner (non-Jew) who gives any of their children to Molech must be put to death by stoning. The land belonged to the Israelites. It was their country and they were not to allow a fellow Jew or a non-Jew to do something that GOD detested in it. They were accountable to GOD. This reveals how serious GOD is about HIS people doing something HE detests.

Notice in verse 4 that GOD also holds fellow citizens accountable for the things GOD calls detestable. Christians, does that get your attention? Christians are accountable to GOD for the things GOD detests in the land where they live and they remain silent or take no action.

GOD detests anything dealing with the occult, even for so-called for fun. Mediums contact the dead or familiar spirits. My only information on this subject goes back probably about 30 plus years ago. I read a book written be a minister whose family had been caught up in spiritualism. His dad contacted mediums in an effort to contact a loved one who had died. I think it was a son. He wrote a book telling of their experience and his salvation experience. He went with his grandmother to a séance where they could ask questions regarding the Bible. After leaving the meeting, he bought a Bible and after several attempts to read it, he came across 1 John 4:1-3, 4:

1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spiritsa 1Th 5:21 to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ hasb Or confesses Jesus to be the Christ come in the fleshc Jn 1:14; Php 2:7; 3:3 is from God.d 1Co 12:3
3 But every spirit who does not confess Jesuse Other mss read confess that Jesus has come in the flesh is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist;f 1Jn 2:18,22; 2Jn 7 you have heard that he is coming, and he is already in the world now.

I included verse 4 so Christians who read this know the protection they have by having CHRIST in them. As a Christian, you can claim this verse and quote it if you encounter the occult world.
4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One (JESUS) who is in youg Rm 8:31; Col 1:27; 1Jn 3:20 is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world.h     Jn 12:31

He tested the spirits according to 1 John 4:1-3 and he learned that they were of Satan. As a result, he became a Christian and later was called to be a pastor, I think in the Presbyterian Church. It was interesting that he said that 85% of the mediums were phonies but there were about 15% who contacted ----- not the dead person but the dead person’s familiar spirit. He said that at birth, Satan assigns a familiar spirit to every person to shadow him/her during his/her life upon earth. Yes, they know many details that only another person may know, that is why many believe they are in contact with that person. When you contact the dead you are not contacting that deceased person. You are contacting the person’s familiar spirit. I loaned my copy of this book to someone many years ago and it did not find its way back to me. The book is out of print, so if anyone reading this happens to know the name of the book or where I can get a copy, I would appreciate it. My e-mail is tshaw37@aol.com.

GOD detests anything to do with the occult but many Christians must read their horoscopes, visit a fortune teller, and have their lucky whatever with them or any number of things related to the spirit world. GOD detests it, so stay away from it. GOD is sufficient for all things. Learn to trust HIM.

GOD’S desire is for HIS children to focus upon HIM and be Holy. HE tells us to set ourselves apart or sanctify ourselves. Sanctification is setting aside for special use. GOD gives Christians the right to choose to be set aside. HE calls but we decide and choose. As Christians, HE has already set us aside or called us all to be sanctified. HE has set us apart to obediently serve HIM and only HIM. HE is a jealous GOD and does not share with any deviation. GOD calls all HIS children to be sanctified but HIS children have the freedom to choose.

Have you made that choice? If not, now is the time to make it. Do not delay. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Holy - Honoring God's Holiness - Leviticus 5 and 6 - April 14, 2013

Bible Study – Holy – Honoring God’s Holiness – April 14, 2013

This is lesson two in our series entitled “Holy God, Holy People.”

Our scripture is Leviticus 5:1-19; 6:1-7.

When you read all that was associated with obeying the laws and commands, it is clear that GOD’S desire is for HIS chosen people to be honest and forthright before HIM and treat their fellow humans as HE would. What does that mean? We can only touch that answer lightly. It means to have the mind of GOD through an intimate, personal relationship with HIM. It means to treat others as we would treat ourselves who are under the authority of GOD. It means to hate the sin but love the sinner.

In this scripture, GOD is giving Moses HIS commands regarding the law. It reveals GOD’S understanding of the human heart and nature. It reveals the need for HIS chosen/Christians to maintain a healthy relationship between HIM and fellow humans. Once we discover something that compromises that relationship, we need to do something about it. Before CHRIST, GOD’S chosen confessed their sins, sacrificed animals to seek forgiveness for their sin and made restitution. Since the passion of CHRIST, Christians confess their sins to GOD and immediately take action to make amends and restore relationships as needed and led by the Holy Spirit.  

Following the law was straight forward but man made it complicated. The scripture reveals the expectations of GOD toward HIS chosen toward HIM and HIS expectations of HIS chosen toward others. Before CHRIST, GOD expected those who worshipped HIM to critique their actions or inactions in light of the Spirit and objective of the law and commands. That has not changed since JESUS gave HIS life for sin, was resurrected and ascended into heaven.

When we reject, dishonor HIM and/or mistreat others, it is still sin. Christians must confess their sins, repent (which means to stop doing it). GOD’S part is to forgive those who confess, cleanse and restore (1 John 1:9). True Christians are covered by GOD’S Grace because they have been made righteous through the shed blood of CHRIST. With this freedom comes the responsibility to be accountable to GOD, not to mistreat others but to treat others as GOD would.

GOD’S desire is for HIS chosen to worship HIM in Spirit and truth. The law reveals the letter of the law but there is also the Spirit and the intent of the law. It is one thing to obey the written law but quite another to obey the Spirit and intent of the law. That is why all people need CHRIST as their Savior. Whereas no human can measure up to GOD’S expectations, the shed blood of CHRIST cleanses all who place their faith in HIM from all sin - past, present and future. No, it is not a get-out-of-jail free card because Christians are accountable to GOD for their actions and suffer the consequences when they are disobedient. Christians NEVER lose their salvation but the Bible is clear that GOD chastises those HE loves. Just as we discipline our children, so does GOD.

Satan uses un-confessed sin in the lives of Christians to defeat them and prevent them from obediently serving GOD. GOD honors obedience with rewards which will be stored in the heavenly treasury where nothing can devalue their worth. The words of JESUS were recorded in Matthew 6:19-21:

19 Do not r Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon. gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal.
20 But s Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon. gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal;
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Our scripture for this lesson is all about the attitude of the heart. There are sins of commission and omission, as well as, sins which are unintentional/negligent and intentional. Sin is still sin whether in the Old Testament days or the New Testament days. That is why all people need CHRIST as their Savior but that is a decision every person makes for him or herself. I believe there are exceptions for the fetus, children and certain others.

The book of Leviticus was written by Moses. It is clear that GOD is Holy and must be treated with honor and respect. Through CHRIST, Christians can approach GOD boldly, directly, into HIS very throne room and even call HIM Daddy. Leviticus deals mostly with commands and is considered by some as a guide for priests. But it is also a guide for GOD’S chosen and those seeking a relationship with GOD. But if you recall in last week’s lesson, GOD’S desire is for HIS chosen is for them to be priests. GOD considers all Christians to be priests and as such are GOD’S representatives upon earth to all who do not know JESUS as their Savior and to minister to each other. GOD considered HIS chosen to be Holy and as such they are to remain pure and Holy.

Praise to our LORD, a Christian’s Holiness is secured by the shed blood of CHRIST but that does not mean that Christians are not to examine their lives in relationship to GOD’S commands. The indwelling Holy Spirit examines the intentions and attitudes of the hearts of all Christians when they earnestly seek to obediently serve GOD. Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. All Christians are sinners saved by grace.

The basic chapter outline for the book of Leviticus is:

Chapters 1-7 – Deal with Sacrifices

Chapters 8-10 – Priests

Chapters 11-16 – Clean and unclean things

Chapters 17-27 – Practical Holiness

Our scripture reveals some of GOD’S commands which society obeys today regarding cleanliness and what our faith in CHRIST does for all true Christians that the law cannot.

Recognize Guilt Before GOD

GOD introduced blood sacrifice for sin offerings in Leviticus 4. Sin is a serious matter and costs. It cost relationships, as well as, costs the life of a near perfect living animal by shedding its blood to atone for sin. We will see that GOD made a provision for those who could not afford an animal to sacrifice to allow them to make a grain offering. Sin cost the life of GOD’S only Son JESUS. GOD gave the laws, commands and requirements the Israelites were to follow to Moses. GOD considered a violation of HIS laws and commands sin. Forgiveness for unintentional or negligent sin is given in Leviticus but there is no forgiveness for intentional or open rejection of the things of GOD.

In fact, the person who openly defies GOD would not approach HIM for forgiveness. This is true for the New Testament. The New Testament defines such blatant defiance of GOD as the unpardonable sin. A person who has committed the unpardonable sin will not seek GOD for forgiveness because his/her heart is hard toward the things of GOD. If a person worries about having committed the unpardonable sin, he/she has NOT! If they had committed the unpardonable sin, they would not be concerned or worried.

The point we need to keep in mind is that sin costs. It costs our relationship with GOD, with others and in Old Testament days, the life of an animal. Ultimately sin cost the life of GOD’S only Son, JESUS.

Our first scripture, beginning with verse 1, deals with a person or persons having information about a matter, which could materially impact the outcome, either in favor of or against it and withholding it.

Verses 2-3 deal with the potential for a person to come in contact with a disease and potentially spread it or become ill. GOD knew how disease spreads and HE established commands to prevent it and identify the source in order to preserve HIS chosen.

Verses 4-5 focus on what a person says, which can be interpreted as an oath. The person speaking may not realize at the time that he/she was making an oath or commitment but realized it later. He/she was to confess it to GOD. The remaining verses in this section deal with restitution.

Let’s read Leviticus 5:1-13:

Cases Requiring Sin Offerings

1 “When someone sins in any of these ways: If he has seen, heard, or known about something he has witnessed, and did not respond to a public call to testify, he is responsible for his sin. 2 Or if someone touches anything •unclean—a carcass of an unclean wild animal, or unclean livestock, or an unclean swarming creature—without being aware of it, he is unclean and •guilty. 3 Or if he touches human uncleanness—any uncleanness by which one can become defiled—without being aware of it, but later recognizes it, he is guilty. 4 Or if someone swears rashly to do what is good or evil—concerning anything a person may speak rashly in an oath—without being aware of it, but later recognizes it, he incurs guilt in such an instance. 5 If someone incurs guilt in one of these cases, he is to confess he has committed that sin. 6 He must bring his restitution for the sin he has committed to the Lord: a female lamb or goat from the flock as a •sin offering. In this way the priest will make •atonement on his behalf for his sin. 7 “But if he cannot afford an animal from the flock, then he may bring to the Lord two turtledoves or two young pigeons as restitution for his sin—one as a sin offering and the other as a •burnt offering. 8 He is to bring them to the priest, who will first present the one for the sin offering. He must twist its head at the back of the neck without severing it. 9 Then he will sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, while the rest of the blood is to be drained out at the base of the altar; it is a sin offering. 10 He must prepare the second bird as a burnt offering according to the regulation. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven. 11 “But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he may bring two quarts of fine flour as an offering for his sin. He must not put olive oil or frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. 12 He is to bring it to the priest, who will take a handful from it as its memorial portion and burn it on the altar along with the fire offerings to the Lord; it is a sin offering. 13 In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf concerning the sin he has committed in any of these cases, and he will be forgiven. The rest will belong to the priest, like the •grain offering.”

GOD is Holy and HIS desire is for HIS children to have the desire to be as Holy as HE is. It is impossible in our own strength to be Holy but in CHRIST Christians are perfect but our hearts and minds need to be renewed. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. We still need to build the right relationship with HIM and learn to trust HIM in all things.

Seek Restoration with GOD

Let’s read Leviticus 5:14-19: The Restitution Offering

14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 15 “If someone offends by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, he must bring his •restitution offering to the Lord: an unblemished ram from the flock (based on your assessment of its value in silver •shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel) as a restitution offering. 16 He must make restitution for his sin regarding any holy thing, adding a fifth of its value to it, and give it to the priest. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf with the ram of the restitution offering, and he will be forgiven. 17 “If someone sins and without knowing it violates any of the Lord’s commands concerning anything prohibited, he bears the consequences of his guilt. 18 He must bring an unblemished ram from the flock according to your assessment of its value as a restitution offering to the priest. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the error he has committed unintentionally, and he will be forgiven. 19 It is a restitution offering; he is indeed guilty before the Lord.”

Make Amends with Others Before GOD

Let’s read Leviticus 6:1-7:

1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “When someone sins and offends the Lord by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit, a security, or a robbery; or defrauds his neighbor; 3 or finds something lost and lies about it; or swears falsely about any of the sinful things a person may do— 4 once he has sinned and acknowledged his •guilt—he must return what he stole or defrauded, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost item he found, 5 or anything else about which he swore falsely. He must make full restitution for it and add a fifth of its value to it. He is to pay it to its owner on the day he acknowledges his guilt. 6 Then he must bring his •restitution offering to the Lord: an unblemished ram from the flock according to your assessment of its value as a restitution offering to the priest. 7 In this way the priest will make •atonement on his behalf before the Lord, and he will be forgiven for anything he may have done to incur guilt.”

As Christians, we must keep in mind that CHRIST shed HIS blood to atone for sin in order for all who place their faith in HIM to be set free from its bondage and consequence death. The law and especially the spirit of the law is still present and in effect as a guide to Christians as well as non-Christians.

One of the most often quoted passages of scripture is Leviticus 19:18:

18 You shall not take revenge or bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.d   (Amplified) Matt. 5:43-46; Rom. 12:17, 19.

GOD is Holy and HIS children are to honor and respect HIS Holiness by also treating their neighbor, meaning their fellow man, as GOD would. GOD equates how HIS chosen treat others as a measure of their love for HIM.

As we read these verses we see that mistreating others is costly. Remember the story of the encounter of Zacchaeus with JESUS as recorded in Luke 19:8. When he met JESUS and accepted HIM as his Savior, he restored more than he had wrongly taken from his fellow people as a tax collector.

Let’s read Luke 19:1-10:

Jesus Visits Zacchaeus 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to lodge with a sinful man!” 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much!”9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the •Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

Leviticus 11:45:

45 For I am Yahweh, who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, so you must be holy because I am holy.

GOD has brought every true Christian out of the clutches of sin and death to embrace the abundant life through CHRIST. Christians get to heaven by placing their faith in CHRIST.

We must be careful when we read the works aspects of obediently serving GOD. Some people may get the idea that all they have to do is be kind toward others and they will be acceptable to HIM. In other words, they conclude that they do not need CHRIST. By the same token, Christians may get the idea that since they are Christians they do not have to be kind toward their fellow man. CHRIST is ground zero for those who have never asked HIM to forgive them for their sins and to come into their lives. Why do you need CHRIST? The simple answer is that HE paid the price by HIS shed blood to redeem all who place their faith in HIM from eternal death. Just because Christians are GOD’S children does not give them the right to mistreat others. In fact, it makes them responsible to GOD to treat others as GOD would.

That is a tall order and impossible without the power, strength and guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

So, what does faith in CHRIST provide for the Christian?

JESUS stated it in John 5:24: (Do you not want to be judged for you sins?)

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal lifec Jn 6:53; 12:25; Ac 13:48; 1Jn 2:25 and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

The Apostle Paul stated it in 2 Corinthians 5:21: (Do you want to be made righteous and acceptable to GOD?)

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sinn 1Jn 3:5 to be sino Or be a sin offering for us,p Rm 8:3; Gl 3:13; 1Pt 2:24 so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

When true Christians approach or get closer to GOD, they feel unclean because they are housed in this body of flesh. Christians need to keep in mind that since their sins are covered by the shed blood of CHRIST that GOD sees them as pure, righteous and Holy.

This scripture in Leviticus brings to mind areas in our lives that reveal our true attitude toward GOD and others as we interact with our family, friends, co-workers and especially our spouses.  

GOD’S desire is for HIS children to worship HIM in Spirit and truth and by the same measure interact with our fellow man. As Christians aren’t we glad that we can rejoice in what CHRIST has done for us by fulfilling the letter and Spirit of the law and commands! Blessings!!!