The law was our guardian until Christ came…but now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. – Galatians 3:24-25
The book of Leviticus is where God clearly calls out His people to be set apart from the rest of the world. He implores them to a life of sanctification and holiness. Leviticus is sometimes referred to as the “book of life.” Within its pages, the Lord presents His desire and plan for His people to live in continual relationship with Him. In fact, He gives many specific rules and laws to the Israelites for living a holy life. On the positive side, those laws reveal His nature and will and instruct them how to live. On the negative side, those laws point out people’s sins and show them that it is actually humanly impossible to please Him by trying to obey all His laws completely. Even all the Levitical sacrifices could not permanently solve the sin issue. A permanent sacrifice was needed.
Jehovah Mekoddishkem is “the Lord who sanctifies.” The law teaches the need for salvation. God’s grace provided this salvation through Jesus Christ. As a result, people can now be alive to Him and His desires while simultaneously being dead to a sinful nature and human will.
So as you celebrate Christ’s birth this season, thank Him for being the ultimate sacrifice. He came to Earth in human flesh in order to pay the price for your sins so you could have a relationship with Him. And as you are consecrated to Him, you are therefore sanctified by your Jehovah Mekoddishkem.
Pray that your local and national leaders would also accept Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf and live a holy life pleasing to Him.
Today’s Verse: Galatians 3:24-25
24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Leviticus 20:7-8; 1 Peter 3:13-18
7 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. 8 Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
