Leviticus 4 and 5 talks about the necessity of sin offerings. I know what you're thinking...Leviticus? There is no way a book of the Bible that I have trouble finding and/or spelling can have a whole lot of relevance to my life. For the sake of argument, let's give it a chance.
God explains to Moses what is to happen when someone sins. There is a specific measure to be taken when the priest sins, when the community sins, when a leader sins, when an individual sins, sin in regard to God's holy things, and a host of others. First, if you've read this passage you'll notice that a word is attached to every section. That word is "unintentional". (I put it in quotes so you wouldn't think that I meant it didn't belong there, but that the word in question is actually the word unintentional.) I'd never paid very close attention to that part. To be honest, I've never paid very careful attention to much of the book of Leviticus. God is not making provision for willful sin. That is dealt with separately. Here, He is specifically addressing sin that people were unaware had happened or were unaware was sin. His people are held accountable for every action. When we are made aware of this, whether it is by commission or omission, we are to set it right. We serve a holy God and he requires holiness of us. Our pastor would point out that this isn't very inclusive or seeker-friendly, but God is who He is. To dismiss our failings as a good try would deny his nature. He judges all of our words and actions, but in his mercy makes provision for our forgiveness. He knows we aren't perfect, but demands we give an honest accounting. He is "faithful and just to forgive us our sins" provided that we confess them.
The second part of this passage that concerned me was verses 13-21. God addresses what to do when the community sins. I like to think of my sin as personal and private. I've never given a great deal of thought to the entire church body. We know individuals can sin, but a group of believers? God judges the actions of each and every one of us. Additionally, God will pass judgment on us as the South Cleveland Church of God, if I understand this correctly. I don't mean that in a negative, sinister way, as if God is waiting to mash South Cleveland with a hammer. What I mean is that God sees us as individuals, but when we gather together God views us as a collective as well. To be part of the church does not excuse my responsibility to be holy before God. In a very real way, though, we are bound together. God has designed us to need each other. God expects me to help bear you burdens and expects you to do the same for me. God speaks to us individually and collectively. Paul said that I am to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling, but this passage implies that I shouldn't do that at the expense of yours.
We are one body. To neglect each other is to ignore God's design. Now that we're in our new building, let our prayer be that God leads us. He has a calling for each of us and he has a calling for all of us together. May God allow us to hear them both.
It is so easy to hide our sin away and just give a private confession to God. Especially with cable tv and internet so available. Our hidden sins eventually make it easier to sin openly without any guilt and without any backlash. This devotional shows us a whole different aspect to our God who is merciful and kind but also exacting in His expectations of us His children. And it is not to as you say beat us up but to keep us and our children from falling even deeper into greater and greater sin. There is sin in our camp. Let's pray that we can be strong enough to confront and loving enough to forgive and bear each others burdens.
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