A Fresh Start

Today is Yom Kippur--The Day of Atonement--on the Jewish Calendar.  It was the day chosen by God for the Jews to stop and remember the terrible cost of sin and its only payment--blood.  The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies this one day of the year and apply blood to the horns of the mercy seat, thus covering over for another year the individual and corporate sin of Israel. Yet year after year, this sacrifice was not enough.  Guilt was never erased completely and relationship with the Almighty remained strained.  The blood of animals was insufficient to pay the debt owed by men to a perfect and holy God.

We no longer have to live in the shadow of our sinfulness, the blood of the Perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ, has completely paid the debt we owe.  When we choose to apply that blood to our hearts by faith, we are made right with the LORD and we no longer enter in with fear because of our guilt.  This was the day that the prophets longed for and Abraham saw "afar off".  It was the promise David lived for and Daniel prayed for.

Yet we take it lightly.  We grasp the gift and forget its cost.  We live as if we have not been purchased.  We no longer fear a Holy and Righteous God who has redeemed us for Himself.

The Law holds no sway over us as New Testament believers.  Jesus fulfilled its every obligation.  But it is a good thing to take a day to reflect on the cost and the gift.  Today, remember what the LORD has done for you.  Remember the burden He lifted by His sacrifice.  Remember His claim on your life--the life He purchased with His blood.  Remember. 

If you have been withholding grace and forgiveness--remember, and repent--give to others what God has graciously given to you.  If you have been walking outside the will of God for your life--remember and repent--fall back in step behind the Lord Jesus and let Him guide you.  If you have been dabbling in sin--remember and repent--turn from your wickedness and back to holiness. Remember.

Oh Lord, may we always remember the high cost of our freedom and may we exercise that freedom according to your will for our lives!