Right Relationships and Leviticus 6

Jesus is the Holy Lamb of God; he takes away the sins of the world. I’m so thankful for God’s saving grace. While reading Leviticus 6 this morning, we learn that sins against our neighbor require a guilt offering. Cheating, fraud, lying about lost property, and lying under oath all require a guilt offering, but before that, you had to repay what you took, plus 20%.

Jesus also talks about this in Matthew; squaring things with your neighbor was the number 1 priority before worship.

‘²³ “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,  ²⁴leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. ‘
Matthew 5:23-24

Right relationships matter. Broken relationships, unforgiveness, and unresolved wrongs can keep us from living fully in the peace that Christ offers. True repentance includes squaring things with our neighbor where possible, reconciling quickly, and forgiving others as God forgives us.

I think of people I’ve hurt in my past, and it pains me to think of the man I was. I’m so thankful for the blood of Jesus Christ, which covers the 20% I could never repay. If I had just stayed on the right path, if I had sought a relationship with God first, I could have avoided many bad choices that hurt others. Maybe you can relate. Are there people in your life whom you wish you could make things right with?

‘¹⁷With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. ¹⁸Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. ¹⁹They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.   ²⁰But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. ²¹Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,  ²²throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.  ‘
Ephesians 4:17-24

Dear Heavenly Father. I’m sorry for my past, my hard heart. I’m so thankful for your mercy, unfailing love, and saving grace, the new heart you have given me, and the clean slate that Christ offers. Lord, keep us close to you, on the right path. Lord help us to be quick to forgive, quick to reconcile, quick to love, and to treat others as we want to be treated, to throw off our old sinful nature. Holy Spirit, reveal to us anyone we may have offended, and help us to square things with anyone we may have hurt, and forgive anyone who may have hurt us. Holy Spirit, steer our thoughts, words, and actions on the path that leads to everlasting life. Help me put on my new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. In Christ’s Holy Name I pray, Jesus. Amen.